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]

Originally Posted by Emproph

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?

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

Ah, alright I understand.

[christa08]

Straight allies represent!

[sauu4equality]

Originally Posted by Emproph

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[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.