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am_Unition  ·  3157 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Vi Hart: On Gender

Occasionally I'll run a self-analysis and compile thoughts on my own sexuality and gender identity, so maybe it's time to write a summary.

If this were a big stage comedy sketch, I'd write some lead up to this punchline: "Thank God I'm not gay!". I could simultaneously offend two communities, the Christians and the gays, and especially belittle the Christian gays. Oh I forgot, mainstream comedy sucks. Let's start over.

I've given it some thought, and I honestly think that even if I had any "genetic predisposition" to homosexual attraction, it's been so overwritten with social/cultural programming of male heterosexuality and masculinity that it's likely irreconcilable. In other words: I'm a dude, and other dudes just don't seem attractive to me. But wait: there is worldwide cultural incentive to stay (majority?)* heterosexual. That's fucked up. And that's a perpetuating cycle; cultural programming becoming culture becoming...

I had a very masculine gay friend who once told me that he didn't understand why the stereotypical gay mannerisms were "the way that they are". I would argue that most gay males exhibit more "feminine" behaviors than their heterosexual counterparts, and vice versa for women. Eventually, I've realized that there exists an entire spectrum of gender identity and sexuality, and although some patterns dominate, there are interesting outlying data points of people.

It's neat how different people are from person to person. And I'm pretty boring in where I lie on this particular spectrum.

*I think small amounts of homosexuality are acceptable in mainstream American culture.

P.S. I still love all Hubskiers.