happy
fajrdrako, whuffle, dameruth, and meeksp for boosting the signal. All of you have been cited in at least one comment as directing someone to my blog, and I'm seeing a notable spike in new traffic. I know other folks have linked here as well, and may have sent readers who simply didn't leave any breadcrumbs. Thank you too. Hopefully some of the new readers will decide to stick around and read more.When I first saw that "The Changeling's Return" had won the generally sponsored poetry poll (along with $5 toward "Igor's Creature"), I was a little surprised because usually my audience goes for a set of $10 poems. Looking at the enthusiastic response to the poem now, though, I can see why. It makes me happy when people support diversity and creativity like this. It's a terrific example of one thing crowdfunding is good for, filling gaps that conventional publishing often ignores. Here, if a bunch of folks get together and say, "We want this!" then it tends to happen.
On that note, I'll remind everyone that the next Poetry Fishbowl has a theme of "alternative sexuality and gender studies" slated for June 7. This is posted on the fishbowl landing page but I don't usually make a big deal of upcoming themes until closer to the date. I want to highlight this now, while there are a bunch of people tracking through here who have an interest in this topic. As I said in a comment, I can't fix the world, but I can do validation and storytelling and mythmaking. You want more portrayals of transgender people in literature? More ace characters, more lesbians who live to the end, more whatever your identity is that you never see enough of? More accurate versions of however it is you're framing your experiences? Bring it. Bark it up on your blog and get your genderqueer or alllied friends to come too. New characters and reappearances of previous ones are all welcome.
I'm just really happy with all of this today. My audience is made of 100% gold-plated WIN. I love you all. Thank you for being so awesome.
May 11 2011, 20:51:36 UTC 10 years ago
Singing in the Kansas City Women's Chorus has given me a much clearer view of lesbians which may be really odd coming from a bisexual woman. I always thought my "gaydar" was pretty good but it's just...not. Not at all. It's wonderful being accepted in that crowd, no matter how straight they may see me.
I have wondered if one of the true oddities not recognized is being bisexual. People, gay and straight both, think of it either as "not being able to make up their mind" or "doubling their chances" and neither is true, at least for me. I am utterly female but am attracted to...various people the variety of which sometimes make me go, "Huh, wtf?" about myownself.
Thoughts
May 12 2011, 05:51:47 UTC 10 years ago
Thank you!
>> It's wonderful being accepted in that crowd, no matter how straight they may see me. <<
That's good to hear. I'm glad that you're finding some folks to spend time with.
>> I have wondered if one of the true oddities not recognized is being bisexual. People, gay and straight both, think of it either as "not being able to make up their mind" or "doubling their chances" and neither is true, at least for me. <<
It's fairly common for homosexual people to go through a bi phase on the way to discovering their true identity, especially if they didn't have an early sense of self-awareness and/or were pushed hard with peer pressure to act straight. But if someone has always identified as bisexual, or has been bi for a significant amount of time, then it is neither fair nor accurate to say that they don't know what they want. They know. They're just attracted to more categories than average.
>> I am utterly female but am attracted to...various people the variety of which sometimes make me go, "Huh, wtf?" about myownself. <<
I'm attracted to personalities more than bodies. I'm disinclined to rule out possible partners on basis of arbitrary physical features. The one thing that always turns my head, though? It's not sex-linked. It's red hair. So, yeah, when I say that I can't be mapped on a linear spectrum, that's the kind of thing I mean.
Re: Thoughts
May 12 2011, 14:04:32 UTC 10 years ago
Re: Thoughts
May 13 2011, 01:21:49 UTC 10 years ago
Re: Thoughts
May 13 2011, 02:03:07 UTC 10 years ago