Reclaiming Lesbian Pride

[AtLast]

My main reason for requesting a specific zone for lesbianism (which I know Angie knows) was due to it being a sexual minority and to help educate members about lesbian-phobic attitudes. Other sexual minorities such as BDSM had a zone, so it seemed appropriate for there to be a lesbian zone. Although a part of me understands the "redundancy" factor in theory, not all members are lesbian, just as not all members are trans, non-trans, etc. Since I joined online B-F sites, I have noticed lesbian-phobic attitudes.

I would not condone the use of the lesbian zone as a vehicle for any kind of bigotry against any other group or population represented on the site or to serve as a wedge between any of the populations that call the Planet home. Nor rallying some kind of divide among us. That would run contrary to the entire mission of the site which, I truly believe has the spirit of consciousness and awareness at its heart (lesbian-phobic remarks are also covered in the site's TOS and can be grounds for moderation). Having a specific lesbian zone in which the recognition of lesbianism as a sexual minority (which it is in all literature in the study of human sexual behavior) that can be stereotyped negatively and has resulted in discrimination on the Planet is much appreciated by lesbian members. And no zone represented here should ever promote division among all of the groups that make up this community.

Personally, I feel like there is a lot of effort on the Planet to promote space for all of us to be represented fairly. I, too, have read things in other zones that I felt were negative toward other groups here, even bigoted- that is what the report button is for.

I appreciate having this zone, but if comments were made that were transphobic, racist, etc., I would report the posts the same as I would in any other zone.

I hope this doesn't sound too clinical or stiff- that isn't my intent- I'm trying to show appreciation, explain why I (and others) asked for a lesbian zone in which our issues could be addressed in the context of a sexual minority and also state that I don't want it to ever be used for divisive agendas. LOL… and I know I have been redundant!! Sorry, its late!

[Kobi]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

My main reason for requesting a specific zone for lesbianism (which I know Angie knows) was due to it being a sexual minority and to help educate members about lesbian-phobic attitudes. Other sexual minorities such as BDSM had a zone, so it seemed appropriate for there to be a lesbian zone. Although a part of me understands the "redundancy" factor in theory, not all members are lesbian, just as not all members are trans, non-trans, etc. Since I joined online B-F sites, I have noticed lesbian-phobic attitudes.

I would not condone the use of the lesbian zone as a vehicle for any kind of bigotry against any other group or population represented on the site or to serve as a wedge between any of the populations that call the Planet home. Nor rallying some kind of divide among us. That would run contrary to the entire mission of the site which, I truly believe has the spirit of consciousness and awareness at its heart (lesbian-phobic remarks are also covered in the site's TOS and can be grounds for moderation). Having a specific lesbian zone in which the recognition of lesbianism as a sexual minority (which it is in all literature in the study of human sexual behavior) that can be stereotyped negatively and has resulted in discrimination on the Planet is much appreciated by lesbian members. And no zone represented here should ever promote division among all of the groups that make up this community.

Personally, I feel like there is a lot of effort on the Planet to promote space for all of us to be represented fairly. I, too, have read things in other zones that I felt were negative toward other groups here, even bigoted- that is what the report button is for.

I appreciate having this zone, but if comments were made that were transphobic, racist, etc., I would report the posts the same as I would in any other zone.

I hope this doesn't sound too clinical or stiff- that isn't my intent- I'm trying to show appreciation, explain why I (and others) asked for a lesbian zone in which our issues could be addressed in the context of a sexual minority and also state that I don't want it to ever be used for divisive agendas. LOL… and I know I have been redundant!! Sorry, its late!

ALH,

It was late when you wrote this. I am still working on my first cup of coffee.

So, I am going to ask you to clarify something that I am not sure I understand. Forgive me if I use the wrong words here cuz meanings have been modified over the years and I am far from current on the changes.

You referred to lesbianism as a sexual minority like BDSM. I dont understand what you mean by this. Can you elaborate?

Also I had to go check but I dont see a BDSM zone here. I see the Lesbian Zone listed under the Gender and Identity category. I see a BDSM entry under the Love category. Am I missing something or am I just not following your train of thought?

I agree with you that bigotry isnt acceptable behavior here nor should it be anywhere else.

I am not sure if you and I are on the same page when it comes to divisiveness. From my standpoint, the queer umbrella is huge. We are a diverse people. Diversity implies differences. Sometimes those differences are easy to negotiate. Sometimes the roots of those differences run so deep and are so complex they are not easily overcome.

Ideally, we should be able to transcend differences, perhaps in creating a new and different reality. Realistically, we are evolving humans who have a way to go on the journey to ideal.

As a community we are a system. As you know, changes to one part of the system impacts other parts of the system, sometimes in unexpected ways. How we deal with it, if we deal with it, effects the final (currently final) outcome. Outcomes are processes too.

What you have said feels different to me. Does it feel different to you? Or am I not reading you correctly?

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

My main reason for requesting a specific zone for lesbianism (which I know Angie knows) was due to it being a sexual minority and to help educate members about lesbian-phobic attitudes. Other sexual minorities such as BDSM had a zone, so it seemed appropriate for there to be a lesbian zone. Although a part of me understands the "redundancy" factor in theory, not all members are lesbian, just as not all members are trans, non-trans, etc. Since I joined online B-F sites, I have noticed lesbian-phobic attitudes.

I would not condone the use of the lesbian zone as a vehicle for any kind of bigotry against any other group or population represented on the site or to serve as a wedge between any of the populations that call the Planet home. Nor rallying some kind of divide among us. That would run contrary to the entire mission of the site which, I truly believe has the spirit of consciousness and awareness at its heart (lesbian-phobic remarks are also covered in the site's TOS and can be grounds for moderation). Having a specific lesbian zone in which the recognition of lesbianism as a sexual minority (which it is in all literature in the study of human sexual behavior) that can be stereotyped negatively and has resulted in discrimination on the Planet is much appreciated by lesbian members. And no zone represented here should ever promote division among all of the groups that make up this community.

Personally, I feel like there is a lot of effort on the Planet to promote space for all of us to be represented fairly. I, too, have read things in other zones that I felt were negative toward other groups here, even bigoted- that is what the report button is for.

I appreciate having this zone, but if comments were made that were transphobic, racist, etc., I would report the posts the same as I would in any other zone.

I hope this doesn't sound too clinical or stiff- that isn't my intent- I'm trying to show appreciation, explain why I (and others) asked for a lesbian zone in which our issues could be addressed in the context of a sexual minority and also state that I don't want it to ever be used for divisive agendas. LOL… and I know I have been redundant!! Sorry, its late!

Hi Kobi-

lesbianism as sexual minority is about it being part of sexual minority (status) curriculum in our colleges and universities and studied in terms of discrimination. Lesbians are part of a minority group that has (like others) been discrininated against as well as been subjected to hate crimes.

I have been both raped and physically beaten up by multi-offenders in my life as a lesbian as well as been subjected to unfair employment practices as many other lesbians have. How often are our trans members called lesbos, dykes, etc. when victims of a hate crime? They are often perceived to be lesbian... no matter their actual gender status.

It is part of our unfortunate array of "Isms" in our society. Does this help?