Okay...for me only: Self-labeling has been very empowering because realizing I was a lesbian signaled my discovery that I was not damaged sexual from childhood...that I was just gay!!!
I cant tell you how GOOD that felt and how whole and wonderfully yummy it felt when I got it! At home I am supported in that good feeling by DH! He thinks I am made perfectly by God...sexuality included! lol! (he is sweet). We use labels in our home in an endearing way. It feels good to be me within the context of home.
I love labels using them within our "family" (meaning other gay people who are out and proud). I don't take in the shame and hate of others associated with words describing my orientation. It is their shame and hate...not mine. I think of it as reclaiming them in a positive way.
I am fine with the labels: LESBIAN, GAY, DIKE, LEZZY (is use this one as a personal term of endearment--as I have a good cyber friend who does too-Cindy rocks!), and
I think "Queer" has just become another one of those words in the english language that has evolved to have two different meanings depending on the context in which it is used.
I always took it to embrace the whole non-heterosexual community, to mean "different" rather than something abnormal- where gay is more often associated with gay men, "queer" encompasses everyone.
All right, down to brass tacks. I have come to a place where I embrace all the terms in the LGBTQ family. It was a slow transformation from my childhood where we played the game "Smear the Queer." Slowly as I grew up I began to like the words lesbian, gay, queer, tranny, and most anything else. The one that I still can't get over is fag. I don't hear homosexuals using it, and I can't abide it myself. I completely understand the history and meaning of the word. I hear it all the time at school, along with the every popular "That's so gay." (If that were only true!!!) Just think of all the wonderful things that could be "so gay!!!" Instead of saying "that's bangin" "gnarl" or whatever, wouldn't it be cool if those kinds of things were gay.
**I am now stepping down from the soapbox. Anybody got a towel and a drink?**
Thanks for your input. I agree that self labeling can be very empowering and also that the written word can be take the wrong way much more easily then the spoken. 8-)
Pages
Okay...for me only: Self-labeling has been very empowering because realizing I was a lesbian signaled my discovery that I was not damaged sexual from childhood...that I was just gay!!!
I cant tell you how GOOD that felt and how whole and wonderfully yummy it felt when I got it! At home I am supported in that good feeling by DH! He thinks I am made perfectly by God...sexuality included! lol! (he is sweet). We use labels in our home in an endearing way. It feels good to be me within the context of home.
I love labels using them within our "family" (meaning other gay people who are out and proud). I don't take in the shame and hate of others associated with words describing my orientation. It is their shame and hate...not mine. I think of it as reclaiming them in a positive way.
I am fine with the labels: LESBIAN, GAY, DIKE, LEZZY (is use this one as a personal term of endearment--as I have a good cyber friend who does too-Cindy rocks!), and
Hugs,
Sebastian
http://www.facebook.com/sebastianbruce
I always took it to embrace the whole non-heterosexual community, to mean "different" rather than something abnormal- where gay is more often associated with gay men, "queer" encompasses everyone.
**Climbing on the soapbox**
All right, down to brass tacks. I have come to a place where I embrace all the terms in the LGBTQ family. It was a slow transformation from my childhood where we played the game "Smear the Queer." Slowly as I grew up I began to like the words lesbian, gay, queer, tranny, and most anything else. The one that I still can't get over is fag. I don't hear homosexuals using it, and I can't abide it myself. I completely understand the history and meaning of the word. I hear it all the time at school, along with the every popular "That's so gay." (If that were only true!!!) Just think of all the wonderful things that could be "so gay!!!" Instead of saying "that's bangin" "gnarl" or whatever, wouldn't it be cool if those kinds of things were gay.
**I am now stepping down from the soapbox. Anybody got a towel and a drink?**
Hugs
Blue
**handing Blue
Lesbian, lezzy, and gay don't really bother me.
Innocence
Hey Roxy,
Thanks for your input. I agree that self labeling can be very empowering and also that the written word can be take the wrong way much more easily then the spoken. 8-)
*Hugs
I think the Q means questioning.
Now that is a really cool take on the word Seb. Thanks so much for your reply.
Hey Ven,
I do agree that the context and the intent of the word Queer makes a big difference.
I totally agree with you with the word "fag", Blue. There is nothing redeeming in my mind for that word, even as a self label.
Thank you for your input, though you didnt need to stand on a box *wink, you are not that short.
Pages