Is There a Need for Categorization?

[TheN3rdyOutcast]

This is kind of piggybacking off of a post I made Earlier called "Straight Pride, and a couple of the comments I saw there.
I began to think, why do we even categorize our sexualities? Do we even need the categorizations?
The answer: probably not. I mean, who should care about Who you love, Who you're aroused by, What you are, and What you want to be besides you.

But still somehow, it just feels comfortable having these categorizations to determine who you are. And I don't know about you all, but think about it. Can you even imagine a world without categories. It's hard, isn't it...

Of course, categories probably do more harm than good. and because sexuality consists of multiple binary values, continuums, and combinations of the two, you could technically create infinite flags, and have somebody off to the side still saying. "What about me? I don't have a flag!"

Honestly, I've heard a couple of my fellow VT'ers basically saying that having categories to make us feel special, also arouses hate from the "straight community. (I think it's mostly because we tried to pawn off that crummy black and white shit on them.)

At this point, I've gone off on multiple tangents, to the point where I have no idea what I'm saying anymore. (I like chocolate milk). My view is.....I honestly, don't know, I feel like I let you guys dictate my views alot of the time. =/

http://th08.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2014/108/f/3/lgbt_community_flag_gradients_by_lovemystarfire-d7exrkx.jpg

[JamesSuperBoy]

This is kind of piggybacking off of a post I made Earlier called "Straight Pride, and a couple of the comments I saw there.
I began to think, why do we even categorize our sexualities? Do we even need the categorizations?
The answer: probably not. I mean, who should care about Who you love, Who you're aroused by, What you are, and What you want to be besides you.

But still somehow, it just feels comfortable having these categorizations to determine who you are. And I don't know about you all, but think about it. Can you even imagine a world without categories. It's hard, isn't it...

Of course, categories probably do more harm than good. and because sexuality consists of multiple binary values, continuums, and combinations of the two, you could technically create infinite flags, and have somebody off to the side still saying. "What about me? I don't have a flag!"

Honestly, I've heard a couple of my fellow VT'ers basically saying that having categories to make us feel special, also arouses hate from the "straight community. (I think it's mostly because we tried to pawn off that crummy black and white shit on them.)

At this point, I've gone off on multiple tangents, to the point where I have no idea what I'm saying anymore. (I like chocolate milk). My view is.....I honestly, don't know, I feel like I let you guys dictate my views alot of the time. =/



I think yes - but its up to the individual to either label self or accept being labeled

[Luminous]

Teen Sexuality and Gender :arrow: Ramblings of the Wise

[Captain Alpha]

I think we need to have a word for bi, straight and gay, but I don't think people should be separated into them or judged because of them

[Miserabilia]

I don't particulary care about them, but they're neccacairy just for logicstal and linguastical reasons.
I wouldn't jdge people by catogorization in this system but it's just a catagory, it's not a judgement so I'm okay with it.

[Typhlosion]

Are they necessary? No, neither are they being useful.

The gay pride flag is certaintly useful as an icon for homossexuals to represent themselves, in an age where they're pushing governments towards (more) equal rights. Cool.

From the perspective of who you're trying to convince, however, the multitude of flags, in conjunction with stereotypes and exaggerated parades, may see flags and, consequently, the whole movement, as banal. And, to be honest, I find the whole billion flags thing banal too.

I'd prefer if there was one flag: "not (straight and cisgendered)". That would help unify the movement. Honestly I have no clue what the hell a skoliosexual is, much less who you're trying to convince.

I don't particulary care about them, but they're neccacairy just for logicstal and linguastical reasons.
I wouldn't jdge people by catogorization in this system but it's just a catagory, it's not a judgement so I'm okay with it.

Categorization? Of course. But what about n-sexual/m-gendered/o-romantic flags?

[Miserabilia]

Categorization? Of course. But what about n-sexual/m-gendered/o-romantic flags?

I think they're ridiculous.
Why not have a single flag representing the fact that all of these diffferent catogorizations can exist along eachother? A different flag for each one is just... weird.

[CosmicNoodle]

I think they are pintless, in todays society the need for them is absent. As if they can't all co exist together.

(I will still say the Bi flag is shit, I'm using the rainbow one)

[Karkat]

*Sweats nervously* I DON'T KNOW WHAT HALF OF THESE ARE

I feel like if you're more empowered by super-specific labels, go for em. But tbh only if you're going to explain them if someone doesn't know, and not be a little bitch princess every time someone doesn't have knowledge of what you are.

However, the reverse (converse? Eh.) should also apply- if someone doesn't want to apply a super-specific label, and feels comfortable with a broader one, they shouldn't be attacked harshly or pooh-poohed for not feeling comfortable with specific labels. (Maybe they fit more than one, and dislike explaining 50 at a time. You don't know why they feel the way they do.)

If someone is demisexual, but they feel asexual fits them better, let them have it.
If someone is asexual, but feels demisexual fits them better, let them have it.

If someone calls themselves gay, but has a female (be they biologically female,mentally female, or both) partner, don't make a scene. Maybe they just in large are not attracted to females, but they are in love with this person, and they feel more comfortable with the label "gay".

If a transgender man who is biologically female and is attracted to women calls themselves straight, it's none of your business.

IMO the only use we SHOULD have for labels is to find an appropriate partner easier, to come to terms with the way we feel and are, and so on. Not to police people.

Also, as far as flag go... I'm fine with them existing, you know, whatevs, if it makes people feel good I'm all for it.

Just don't make me remember them all. For the love of god. :lol:

EDIT: Just to clarify where I'm coming from, I literally identify to some extent with 16 of these.

And this isn't even all there is to be had.

Like hell I'm gonna come out 16+ times to each person I come out to.

[James Dean]

We are already a small community as is. I just think because not everyone fits the stereotype or the look, it's nice to have a tag or something so that someone doesn't get rejected or humiliated when they are trying to get with someone who isn't like that. Vice versa as well. This is just my opinion as I know many people are trying to erase labels. I just don't see it happening. You have to by society, be put under a certain group or label. It's terrible, but that's just how things are. We have to come together and be proud of ourselves before it comes non irrelevant, and the rest of the world agrees as well.

[SethfromMI]

wow I never even heard of half of those before

[ethana512]

wow I never even heard of half of those before

Me neither.

I really don't like labels. Like I don't mind being gay cause I like guys, but I don't really want to have to come out and make a big deal about it. I wish I could just like who I like and no one would care.

[SethfromMI]

Me neither.

I really don't like labels. Like I don't mind being gay cause I like guys, but I don't really want to have to come out and make a big deal about it. I wish I could just like who I like and no one would care.

exactly man