The diversity at Soulforce...

[Jennifer5]

One poll that I don't remember doing is on sexual orientation and how you identify.

[Emproph]

I marked gay, except technically I’m transgendered - there’s no difference for me. But I generally identify as gay.

[Jennifer5]

I marked gay, except technically I’m transgendered - there’s no difference for me. But I generally identify as gay.

Alright, I'm confused... what is transgendered then?

[sauu4equality]

I marked gay, except technically I’m transgendered - there’s no difference for me. But I generally identify as gay.

I could use some clarification here too. What do you mean with this statement?

I put bisexual although I have some qualities that could put me in the transgender category, so I may understand what Emproph means. But in the business of fully understanding what is meant before responding, I'll hold my own interpretation.

[Emproph]

Maybe that’s not the right word, and I’m not sure there is one.

The best way to put it is that I’m a heterosexual girl with a guy’s body, but I have no intention of transitioning, so I call myself gay.

[Jennifer5]

Maybe that’s not the right word, and I’m not sure there is one.

The best way to put it is that I’m a heterosexual girl with a guy’s body, but I have no intention of transitioning, so I call myself gay.

Ah, alright I understand. :love:

[christa08]

Straight allies represent! :love::D:agree::weee::smashy::sing::good::aparty:

[Daniel]

As a three dollar bill. That's what I am.

[Gennee]

I am transgender. It connected with me shortly after I came out as a crosdresser.

Gennee

[Alecto]

Any way to do this poll with check-boxes instead of having them all mutually exclusive? (If not, it's cool, but...as has already been pointed out, transgender is kind of a whole seperate thing and doesn't preclude someone from also being gay, straight, or bisexual). Or, even an "other" box with some 'splaining?

For the most part, I fall neatly enough into "gay", but pretty much all of my friends would have some trouble picking one of these answers (either because they'd fall under more than one, or because the words they use to describe themselves aren't up here).

[Jennifer5]

Any way to do this poll with check-boxes instead of having them all mutually exclusive? (If not, it's cool, but...as has already been pointed out, transgender is kind of a whole seperate thing and doesn't preclude someone from also being gay, straight, or bisexual). Or, even an "other" box with some 'splaining?

For the most part, I fall neatly enough into "gay", but pretty much all of my friends would have some trouble picking one of these answers (either because they'd fall under more than one, or because the words they use to describe themselves aren't up here).

It won't let me add/change anything to do with the poll itself now. Sorry.

[BenL]

I am a gay man married to a transman.

The previous writers are correct: Sexual orientation and gender identity, while intricately intertwined, are distinct parts of an individual's identity.

Sexual orientation is about the gender of the person you are attracted to.

Gender identity is about the gender you claim for yourself.

[Jennifer5]

I am a gay man married to a transman.

The previous writers are correct: Sexual orientation and gender identity, while intricately intertwined, are distinct parts of an individual's identity.

Sexual orientation is about the gender of the person you are attracted to.

Gender identity is about the gender you claim for yourself.

I see where I needed to clarify the, for the poll I was curious about sexual orientation. I'm happy that people are sharing their gender identity as well though. :love:

[tdogg]

Definitely a gay woman, lesbian, dyke. I'll take all three 'labels'. :D:rainbow:

My identification ranges anywhere from Cinderella to Batman, depending on the day and my mood. :cool::eek::D:love:

I love being Queer. ;)

[BrianB]

I checked bisexual but that doesn't really cover it. There are some very attractive transgendered people out there. It wouldn't bother me at all to partner with one of them. As far as gender identity I'm male with occasional cross dressing tendencies.

[Rick336]

I like masculinity and I'm mostly attracted to masculine stuff.

Rick

[Alecto]

I didn't mean to poop on the parade or anything: the poll as is does still show some telling numbers about how many allies we've got hanging about. :)

[Jennifer5]

I didn't mean to poop on the parade or anything: the poll as is does still show some telling numbers about how many allies we've got hanging about. :)
No worries, I just think we're looking for different results.

If you wanted this poll to answer some different questions, don't hesitate to start another thread. :)

[andrewlittle]

... but showed up late with an explanation.

Assuming the question was about sexual orientation, I responded in the straight ally category. Since I can only answer once, add one in that category for Jenna, too.

More and more, especially after Jenna and I have talked so much about it between us, I think that both of us are more complicated than that. We think, like Daniel, that we are as queer as three dollar bills, but with a sexual preference for the opposite sex - if that makes sense.

Maybe it would be more to do with gender identity, but we don't feel the least bit comfortable putting ourselves squarely in the heterosexual camp.

[dsdrane]

My sex is male, and so is my gender. That said, I don't see myself represented much in the larger male population -- gay or straight -- out there (at least in the U.S.; I have felt differently when in Europe).

And I'm attracted to people who are basically like me (male, but not too male)...which is either the height of narcissism or simply the roll of the dice.

Anyhoo, for the purposes of this poll, I'm fegulah.

[tdogg]

.
More and more, especially after Jenna and I have talked so much about it between us, I think that both of us are more complicated than that. We think, like Daniel, that we are as queer as three dollar bills, but with a sexual preference for the opposite sex - if that makes sense.


Totally makes sense Andy. I like queer, not only because I'm a gay female, but because I'm 'different'. I don't really fit into any neat and tidy label. I'm odd, and feel odd. I'm different and definitely feel different. Even though 'm a lesbian, I don't necessarily feel like a 'typical' lesbian (whatever that means). I used to feel isolated and sometimes even lonely. But at this point in my life, I celebrate being different and proudly take the queer label.

So, you and Jenna should feel absolutely welcome to join the 'queer' group too! :D:love:

[BruceChris]

A. I don't agree with your categories

B. I don't define it quite like you do

C. More than one of the above, maybe several more.

D. Gender Variant, I think

Bruce Chris

[Jennifer5]

A. I don't agree with your categories

B. I don't define it quite like you do

C. More than one of the above, maybe several more.

D. Gender Variant, I think

Bruce Chris

Start a new thread if you'd like, what's done is done. I'm sorry that I did not make it a multi-select option.

[BruceChris]

It's not your fault. I guess I've just had too many people try to put me in a box

I meant my answer to be kinda silly, NOT abusive

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[Jennifer5]

It's not your fault. I guess I've just had too many people try to put me in a box

I meant my answer to be kinda silly, NOT abusive

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

Oh, believe me, I know that being put in a box is annoying. I had a hard time deciding where to put myself and I'm the one who made those boxes.

I didn't realize you were trying to be silly, but I didn't think you were being abusive either. It just sounded to me like it was going to turn into an argument, which I didn't want. I'm glad to see that I was wrong. :love:

I do apologize for trying to put anyone in a box though, I don't like them either and I should have known better.

[wmanion]

Although I was once married and fathered three children, I am 100% gay. I have a lot of traits that are male and many that would be considered feminine. I guess that is why I was a good single parent, I played the part of mom and dad very well. I also identify as male. I do not have the desire to be a female, nor do I want to dress like one, however, I do enjoy a good drag show...I think is is wonderful entertainment.

Bill

[tdogg]

For what its worth, I feel this is a good exercise. I believe labels are constricting and none of us ever really fits into someone else's labels. Trying to put ourself into one helps to understand the broader implications of labeling. It did make me think a bit about how difficult it is to label myself, and therefore, even more difficult to try and put a label on someone else.

So, in that regard thanks Jen for offering this exercise. While it might not have been your purpose, it did help me think a little more about the difficulty of labels. :love: