I've been thinking about identity a lot lately, and especially self-identification- not strange for a person who studies queer theory and American identity for a job! There are so many labels that I have chosen for myself over the years, in relation to my sexuality: bisexual. pansexual. femme. polyamorous. switch. submissive...
What do all these labels really mean? Are they who I am, or simply a discriptor of actions I have taken, or will take, or dream of taking? Is there something deep within me that drives me towards feminine women (bio or trans) and masculine (bio or trans) men? Is there something in my DNA that drives me to want to share my love with more than one person, or is really just an intellectual, ethical choice?
So many questions I hope to explore. First, I'd liked to look at what these labels mean to me: are they useful? What do they mean? What is identity, anyway? Does it effect my experiences?
And I'd love to hear from anyone who might happen to stumble across this page... How do you identify sexually? What does it mean to you? Is it an essence, or just a reflection of our experience? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
What do all these labels really mean? Are they who I am, or simply a discriptor of actions I have taken, or will take, or dream of taking? Is there something deep within me that drives me towards feminine women (bio or trans) and masculine (bio or trans) men? Is there something in my DNA that drives me to want to share my love with more than one person, or is really just an intellectual, ethical choice?
So many questions I hope to explore. First, I'd liked to look at what these labels mean to me: are they useful? What do they mean? What is identity, anyway? Does it effect my experiences?
And I'd love to hear from anyone who might happen to stumble across this page... How do you identify sexually? What does it mean to you? Is it an essence, or just a reflection of our experience? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
posted by Michelle at
6:20 PM
4 Comments:
It is odd, I seek out labels are identifiers, qualifiers or as linguistical common areas, as references. For instance, I've *learned* to use the words "submissive", along with all the other words that layer my sexuality, because I have to use them, when talking to others especially where sexuality and the kink is concerned.
Yet, with each added label or name, I find myself runing into limitations that go with the territory of labels. They don't set me free, and I find myself using disclaimers and qualifiers and apologies when I claim a certain label (submissive). There seems to be a lot of politics that go with any label, a fact that I keep bristling against.
Hmm...It sounds trite I know, but for myself, sharing love with more than one person is a conscious, ethical choice. Or maybe, I just got to the point where I ran out of other unsatisfying choices?
Perhaps I take solace in the fact that love is elastic and it is not pragmatic to look to just one individual to meet all your needs or wants. I think that is an awful lot of pressure to put on someone if they can't meet them.
Yeah, as I said, it sounds trite when I write it out. I can never seem to adequately explain it.
Interesting and thoughtful questions, Pink. I have come back, quietly lurking, hoping someone would comment to hear other voices....
Cheers,
poiesia :)
By
me, at 10:16 AM
Thanks for the thoughts, Poiesia... perhaps they'll inspire other people to chime in!
I have been thinking on this topic for a while now, and hope when my semester is over (soon!) to be able to write down some of those thoughts.
By
Michelle, at 9:26 AM
"Love, is a state of being, not a relationship"
By
Anonymous, at 5:52 PM
hi horny babes!!!
By
Anonymous, at 10:15 AM
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