Regarding the name order issue (e.g. "Charles/Nathan" vs. "Nathan/Charles")
It's come to our attention that some of you may be confused by our labeling system when it comes to pairings. Namely, the fact that this community does not differentiate between pairings based on which character is considered dominant.
For example: If we have someone submit a fic featuring a pairing of Ofdensen and Nathan, we will tag it as "gifts: charles/nathan" - the same tag will be used even if Nathan is the one on top during a sex scene (or is more dominant in some other way). This also goes for our community memories, etc.
(If we put the names in any particular order, it's probably just whichever way we think sounds better.)
The issue has been previously touched on in our tag index post, and has now been added to the FAQ. However, we wanted a chance to explain our reasoning behind this decision.
1. We feel that, regardless of who is physically, emotionally, or otherwise dominant in a relationship or a sexual encounter, the pairing is essentially the same if it consists of the same two (or more) characters. There's nothing wrong with having a preference of who's on top; we just don't consider it the most important aspect of a pairing.
With that in mind, we feel that having separate tags, memory folders, etc. based on which character is dominant is excessive and would only clutter up this community’s archives.
2. There are many instances, not only in real life relationships but in 'shippy fiction and especially artwork, where dominance is either unclear or outright undetermined. Lots of fic and art features a relationship but doesn't show sex. Some that does include sex may have partners alternate "top" and "bottom" positions. Sometimes the person who is technically on the receiving end is still physically dominant. Etc., etc.
Instead of trying to figure out the right way to categorize these 'hard to determine' cases, or cluttering things up by giving them multiple labels... we think it's easier to just call a pairing what it is: one character with another character. In whatever shape or form it might be.
3. Add to that the fact that dominance itself, real or fictional, is defined by many factors - and everyone can have their own interpretation of what it means. To one person, it might mean whichever character pursues the other. To someone else, it could be whoever tops during sex. And to another person, it might be the one who "wears the pants" in the relationship, so to speak...
At any rate - whatever dominance might mean to you, it's hopefully not the only thing that matters. We just feel that focusing too much on it, and forcing distinctive "top" and "bottom" roles onto characters in every situation, diminishes other aspects of a fictional relationship; even if that relationship consists of nothing but sex.
Please note: this is not to say that we have any problem with BDSM, non-con, or master/slave-type situations, where "dom" and "sub" roles are an integral part of the plot. If that's your kink, by all means, feel free to request it!
All that being said, we ask that in the future, if you request a certain pairing and it's important to you which character is on top during sex (or otherwise dominant in the relationship), that you indicate so in your request. And if you submit fic or art and you want it to be clear to the reader who will be dominant, you can simply put that in an author’s/artist's note.
The point is, we all might have our preferences where "tops" and "bottoms" are concerned; and that's fine. The mods simply don't wish to make a huge deal out of it.
Now, we realize that some of you may not agree with our stance. But since it's the standard in many other fandoms, we hope you'll be able to live with it. Nonetheless, if you do have a serious problem with this... well, here's your chance to speak up.
For example: If we have someone submit a fic featuring a pairing of Ofdensen and Nathan, we will tag it as "gifts: charles/nathan" - the same tag will be used even if Nathan is the one on top during a sex scene (or is more dominant in some other way). This also goes for our community memories, etc.
(If we put the names in any particular order, it's probably just whichever way we think sounds better.)
The issue has been previously touched on in our tag index post, and has now been added to the FAQ. However, we wanted a chance to explain our reasoning behind this decision.
1. We feel that, regardless of who is physically, emotionally, or otherwise dominant in a relationship or a sexual encounter, the pairing is essentially the same if it consists of the same two (or more) characters. There's nothing wrong with having a preference of who's on top; we just don't consider it the most important aspect of a pairing.
With that in mind, we feel that having separate tags, memory folders, etc. based on which character is dominant is excessive and would only clutter up this community’s archives.
2. There are many instances, not only in real life relationships but in 'shippy fiction and especially artwork, where dominance is either unclear or outright undetermined. Lots of fic and art features a relationship but doesn't show sex. Some that does include sex may have partners alternate "top" and "bottom" positions. Sometimes the person who is technically on the receiving end is still physically dominant. Etc., etc.
Instead of trying to figure out the right way to categorize these 'hard to determine' cases, or cluttering things up by giving them multiple labels... we think it's easier to just call a pairing what it is: one character with another character. In whatever shape or form it might be.
3. Add to that the fact that dominance itself, real or fictional, is defined by many factors - and everyone can have their own interpretation of what it means. To one person, it might mean whichever character pursues the other. To someone else, it could be whoever tops during sex. And to another person, it might be the one who "wears the pants" in the relationship, so to speak...
At any rate - whatever dominance might mean to you, it's hopefully not the only thing that matters. We just feel that focusing too much on it, and forcing distinctive "top" and "bottom" roles onto characters in every situation, diminishes other aspects of a fictional relationship; even if that relationship consists of nothing but sex.
Please note: this is not to say that we have any problem with BDSM, non-con, or master/slave-type situations, where "dom" and "sub" roles are an integral part of the plot. If that's your kink, by all means, feel free to request it!
All that being said, we ask that in the future, if you request a certain pairing and it's important to you which character is on top during sex (or otherwise dominant in the relationship), that you indicate so in your request. And if you submit fic or art and you want it to be clear to the reader who will be dominant, you can simply put that in an author’s/artist's note.
The point is, we all might have our preferences where "tops" and "bottoms" are concerned; and that's fine. The mods simply don't wish to make a huge deal out of it.
Now, we realize that some of you may not agree with our stance. But since it's the standard in many other fandoms, we hope you'll be able to live with it. Nonetheless, if you do have a serious problem with this... well, here's your chance to speak up.