Is Fandom Queer?

[7_daze]

Inspired by mskatej's post here.

There's no doubt in my mind that fandom is a queer-friendly place.

Comments

[floridapeaches]

I think, yeah, probably this opinion, and that of mskatej are correct, are the closest to how the world actually operates. I do think kalpurna's argument is well-reasoned, I just think it's a little *over* reasoned. She makes too many inferences that she doesn't have data to back up. (OMG. I just....GAH. STATISTICS GET OUT OF MY BRAIN!!!)

[7_daze]

I think it's possible to be straight and queer, but I don't think fandom (even slash fandom) is necessarily a queer activity. And I don't know that you can be queer without actually identifying as such. The problem is that there are so many potential definitions or conceptions of queer, and I can only work with the one I use/am familiar with.... perhaps kalpurna is working with a different definition, I am not sure.

[mskatej]

Nice post.

I am open to the idea that slash fandom is queer to some degree. Not because the act of writing and reading gay porn is queer in and of itself, but because we have a *remarkably* queer-friendly space here, and the content of what we write and read (same sex relationships) is queer. That's not to say that (slash) fandom feels queer to everyone or even to most of us (it doesn't feel particularly queer to me for example), but it's an argument I find interesting and I wouldn't be willing to discount it entirely, because I am but one fangirl and my personal experiences don't invalidate those fen who *do* feel that fandom is a queer space.

But it's certainly not true that every individual in fandom is queer to some degree and it's not a label anybody should impose on others.

I don't think you can foist queerness onto other people, really. "You write gay boysex porn, therefore you are in some way queer." It just -- that doesn't work for me. I think straight women can be queer -- I think there are women out there who have sex

[naotalba]

Hi! We didn't really get a chance to interact at wincon, but you seemed really cool, and I like your fic, so I am friending you.

This is a really interesting discussion. I identify as a straight woman, around a Kinsey 1 at most. I write and read slash pretty much exclusively.

I can see the argument that fic is a sexual activity between writer and reader, so in that way, I guess I am having sexual contact with other (mostly female or genderqueer) fans. If that makes me queer, I'll accept the label.

I can't see myself self-identifying as queer, though because to me that would be a, 'all the cool kids are doing it, I want to too' kind of reaction. I think I would be kind of trivializing or appropriating the term, if that makes sense.

I think it is fascinating how much good slash is written by people who don't prefer male partners.