unless you live hardcore.
I'm weak. I've been reading new posts about FanLib (via metafandom).
My punishment has been severe rage pains regarding the idea that (LJ-centric) fandom="community of women."
Anyone who has interacted with me as a fan in the last three years has not interacted with someone who belongs or wants to be in a "community of women." If you were or are under that impression, boy howdy were and are you wrong.
When I first got into fandom, I did identify as a woman (or, really, a girl, 'cause I was fifteen for heaven's sake). I don't anymore. I've never made a big deal of my identity shift with regards to fandom because it never was a big deal. I'm not a BNF (I was, it's facts, but that fandom is dead and buried and tiny anyway), so it's not important on some grand scale--nobody cares about my gender identity, 'cause nobody cares about me (I'm not being emo; I like it this way).
In the same turn, much might and glory to the people who built fandom, who lived in it parallel to their lives and changing selves. Every day, I am happy to take part in this amazing culture.
While I might consider my work/would not decapitate someone who referred to my work as in some way "women's art" (because I was born, grew up with, and have female parts, and all the shit associated therewith), I don't consider myself a female fan, and I don't consider fandom a "community of women." I never, ever have done, even when the idea wouldn't've given me the stinky face.
Ergo, you know, if it's important to you that your fandom be a "community of women," take this information as you will.
As they say, on the internets you're only as oppressed as you choose to be, so I choose to experience my fandom as a "community of people*." Yes! I see you only as a person! Mwahaha!
Bye.
*I considered several parenthetical statements for this declaration, including "(many of whom have vaginas. Yay for them)," "(some of whom like to pretend we've all got the same junk**)," and "(some of whom have interesting ideas about what constitutes sexism/privilege)."
**Insert fandom version of the "there's a big wall in heaven" joke.
My punishment has been severe rage pains regarding the idea that (LJ-centric) fandom="community of women."
Anyone who has interacted with me as a fan in the last three years has not interacted with someone who belongs or wants to be in a "community of women." If you were or are under that impression, boy howdy were and are you wrong.
When I first got into fandom, I did identify as a woman (or, really, a girl, 'cause I was fifteen for heaven's sake). I don't anymore. I've never made a big deal of my identity shift with regards to fandom because it never was a big deal. I'm not a BNF (I was, it's facts, but that fandom is dead and buried and tiny anyway), so it's not important on some grand scale--nobody cares about my gender identity, 'cause nobody cares about me (I'm not being emo; I like it this way).
In the same turn, much might and glory to the people who built fandom, who lived in it parallel to their lives and changing selves. Every day, I am happy to take part in this amazing culture.
While I might consider my work/would not decapitate someone who referred to my work as in some way "women's art" (because I was born, grew up with, and have female parts, and all the shit associated therewith), I don't consider myself a female fan, and I don't consider fandom a "community of women." I never, ever have done, even when the idea wouldn't've given me the stinky face.
Ergo, you know, if it's important to you that your fandom be a "community of women," take this information as you will.
As they say, on the internets you're only as oppressed as you choose to be, so I choose to experience my fandom as a "community of people*." Yes! I see you only as a person! Mwahaha!
Bye.
*I considered several parenthetical statements for this declaration, including "(many of whom have vaginas. Yay for them)," "(some of whom like to pretend we've all got the same junk**)," and "(some of whom have interesting ideas about what constitutes sexism/privilege)."
**Insert fandom version of the "there's a big wall in heaven" joke.