General Discussion

I went back a few pages in the forum and didn't see a thread dedicated to *every* sexuality (But, of course, there are separate forums for certain specific groups if you prefer that), so I decided to create one myself. FR is, after all, a place where anyone and everyone should feel welcomed and understood, so what's better than having a topic where we can all be completely different in terms of sexuality, but still the same deeper down, and able to hold and enjoy a simple (but mature) discussion?

So, whether you're Straight, Gay, Bisexual, Asexual, Lesbian, or anything else I may not have mentioned, post your thoughts! Do you want to introduce yourself and find other people who have the same sexually as you? Go right ahead~ Do you want to simply ask for advice or information? Post away~ Do you want to share your story, or rant about how great the latest LGBT/Pride Parade or event was? Go for it, I'm sure we would all love to hear~ ^-^

I will be more than willing to listen to every single one of you, and I'll try to respond best I can if no one else beats me to it first. Please just remember, we ARE a community, no matter how far away we live or how different we are. Keep your thoughts and comments positive to everyone, even if you don't necessarily agree with their position or choice. Not only is it belligerent, derogatory and often hurtful to others to speak badly of a specific or general group of people, it is against the FR Forum Rules. If you have yet to read those, I recommend you do so before posting on this thread, even if you have only a small hunch that what you say could possibly offend someone. (Those rules can be found near the top of the 'General Discussion' board, or you can click here: http://flightrising.com/main.php?board=gend&id=749502&p=mb)

Thank you!
~Vinyl

Some Helpful Information:

What do each of the letters in LGBTQIA stand for, and what do each of them mean?

LGBTQIA is an acronym containing the first letter of several different, yet often confused, sexual orientations. They are as follows: (Found on the TSA: Stopping Abuse for Everyone site, cited below. Some information may be edited for clarity/accuracy.)

Lesbian – A female- identified person who is attracted romantically, physically, or emotionally to another female-identified person.

Gay – A male-identified person who is attracted romantically, physically, or emotionally to another male-identified person.

Bisexual – A person who is attracted romantically, physically, or emotionally to both same and different genders.

Transgender – A person who is a member of a gender other than that expected based on anatomical sex.

Queer – An umbrella term which embraces a variety of sexual preferences, orientations, and habits of those who do not adhere to the heterosexual and cisgender majority. The term queer includes, but is not exclusive to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transpeople, and intersex persons, traditionally, this term is derogatory and hurtful, however, many people who do not adhere to sexual and/or gender norms use it to self-identify in a positive way.

Intersex – Someone who’s physical sex characteristics are not categorized as exclusively male or exclusively female.

Asexual – A person who is not attracted to anyone, or a person who does not have a sexual orientation.

Source: http://tahoesafealliance.org/for-lgbqtia/what-does-lgbtqia-mean/

Added information from Solknots:

T = Transexual
Folks who do not identify with the sexual orientation given at birth and transition out of it. In some cases described as "M to F" or "F to M", they may also choose to live outside of that binary. Transexual folks do not need to have surgery to identify within this, though terms such as "pre-op" and "post-op" refer to those who have/want to.

Q = Questioning
Now, you can be "Questioning" in any other category as well, but the reason it is it's own is because it is also a term that folks identify with - questioning your sexuality, gender, your boundaries in those regards. Some folks can question all their lives, others come in and out, and others do not identify with this term.

2S = 2-Spirited **If you are indigenous and i have mis-defined this term, please correct me**
A term that Colonizers named the identity of Indigenous folks (in North America.. though like bodies/spirits exist in many cultures). Many Indigenous folks do identify with this term today. It is understood that these people have a connection to both their Male and Female energy and therefore, are often healers and able to perform Smudging. **it is important that if you are not Indigenous you understand that this term may not be for you**

Added information from Fara:

Demisexuality is between asexuality and sexuality, but usually separate from gray-A. It means, for lack of a better phrase, that one cannot experience physical attraction to someone else without a deep emotional connection, be it strong friendship or romance. The main thing to remember is that it's not a choice. 99% of the time, a demisexual person can have all the sexual attraction of an asexual.

Neat thread. The topic of my sexuality always kind of gives me a headache, it's so complicated, so I usually avoid it, but threads are still nice. Long version: Bisexual, heteroromantic, graysexual. Short version: there is no short version. Bisexual doesn't cover it, and neither does gray. Heteroromantic is whole 'nother thing. Hence the headaches. Basically: I like teh menz and wish to date them, and although I'm sexually attracted to both genders, for the most part I don't actually want to get touchy-feely with any of them.

Sexuality is hard. I am giving up and going to live as a burrito.

Hello I am Sunshine and I am a non-binary bisexual! :) Any pronouns are fine, though my favourites are 'they' or just my name, I don't mind he/she. I can be attracted to anyone! :)

I just wanted to point this out early on, because this issue was raised on another thread and I thought it was worth pointing out here - please do not say you are gender blind, or that you do not care about someone's gender! You may think this is a good thing to say but it is very dismissive of individual persons struggles with their gender. A lot of trans* people are hurt by this, I am one of them. I do not feel comfortable with someone saying they don't care about my gender, because I consider it a big part of me and I have faced abuse in the past because of it, I have struggled to have people see my gender and it is disheartening to see well meaning people dismiss that. It is not nice to just ignore this.

A better thing to say is that you can be attracted to someone regardless of gender, that gender doesn't play a role in attraction for you, or that you are attracted to all genders (and people with no gender!)

I do not mean this to sound rude, I just see people do this a lot and I don't think they know they are hurting people with their choice of words. (Sorry for any mistakes, English is not my first language)

@Tormund
Thank you very much, and It's nice to meet you. ^-^

@Aithusa
Thanks for the heads-up! I snagged the info from a (mostly) reliable source as time slipped away from me and I had to post and leave in a rush this afternoon. However, I changed it to be more accurate.

Which brings me to another point: I, in no way, am an expert in *every* sexuality. While I know my fair share of most, I'm definitely capable of mistakes. If anyone sees anything inaccurate, please let me know. I won't be offended at all, as I don't want other users (those who don't know about the specific sexuality) to learn the wrong information~

@DepravityInBlack
Thank you as well. c: I can completely understand how complicated sexuality can be. Which is exactly why I didn't state mine in my first post. If I had to assume one position, it would be Pansexual, as I tend to look at people the same way, regardless of gender, but I do prefer other women over anything else (Well... a certain woman in particular. :3). So yes, yes. I will fully support you in becoming a burrito.

@Sunshine
Hello, Sunshine~
Thank you for pointing that out, as I have heard quite a few people (not on here, but in life) use the term 'gender blind'. I can see how that would be hurtful in many cases, depending on how it's said and how it's received. I don't find it rude at all though, as I'm sure everyone has something that people say that bothers them, and you are more than welcome to talk about it, dear. ^-^

@DepravityInBlack

I feel you! Technically, I identify as pansexual. But honestly, while I'm attracted to people, actually doing anything remotely sexual with them is mostly unappealing. I have no idea if there's a word for that yet, but there should be. Sexuality really is confusing.

@Piichi
Thank you, I had been looking for one like it also, just to see other opinions on this topic, so when I didn't find one... Poof, I decided to instead. :3 It's very nice to meet you though, I'm sorry you don't have many people in the LGBTQIA community around you. ;o; That is quite surprising... maybe the one's who are just keep it to themselves, or aren't open to the idea yet? Either way, your parent's reaction sounds great. xD I, for one, have never told my family what I identify as, and much like the people around you, they assume I'm straight, even though I'm not the 'dressy' type. In any case, the whole "dresses and makeup" really gets under my skin. It's stereotypical, to say the least, and it has no backing or proof. Some of the, quote, "girliest" women that I know are Lesbians, but it always seems to surprise people. I've heard comments about one of my close friends that range from "Oh really? But... She's so preppy. How can she like other girls?" to "Are you kidding me? Girls that dress like that are never lesbians. It just doesn't make since.". Uhm, no. Those comments are what make no since. Someone's sexuality isn't based on their wardrobe. Not by any means.