S U R V E Y

[c9]

Today's Survey:

1) Define "straight-acting" (what do YOU say it means?)
2) Are you offended by the term "straight-acting" ?


As is courteous, here are my answers:

1) Straight-Acting refers to a gay male who, purposely or not, exhibits few or no "typical" gay male traits, and possibly even includes the taking on of typical straight traits, often as a defensive maneuver (see US Army).

2) No, even though part of me thinks I should be. It's the same part of my brain that feels guilty for watching Survivor -- hell, for owning a TV. That part says that straight-acting is a symptom of a society that values people based on their personal traits and flamboyances rather than their actions, and using the term reinforces the acceptance of this inappropriate belief.

The rest of me is unoffended, thinking it's just a way to describe the mannerisms / attitudes of people. Though I'm still slightly unhappy with being described relative to a straight man -- not only a straight man, but some mythical nonexistent straight man to boot. *shrug*

Comments

[bartok.livejournal.com]

HOWEVER, indentifying straightness merely in terms of sexual preference is terribly homo-centric, since it tends to indicate traits held by the majority, or rather the average.

Unfortunately it's deemed that the rather flamboyant queeny-ness which is readily apparent at the bar on Saturday night is held as our "straight", so then seeming "straight" is therefore not the norm. I think I just made myself dizzy.

Anyhow, the term "straight-acting" shouldn't be used since it implies that inside we're all raging drag queens wanting to get out. Also, it's a term really only used by gays, so really it's something we're inflicting on ourself in our eternal search for validation as a "distinct society".

That is all.

[nihilicious.livejournal.com]

I prefer to be crooked-acting.

[finfinaud.livejournal.com]

1) Straight acting is a term that self loathing gays use to make themselves feel better about not accepting themselves or other gay people. To me it means nothing.

2) I am semi offended when people use the term, because it puts down people who don't it brings up the "I'm not like the rest of you, I don't fit societies perceptions of gay people" when someone says "Str8 acting, I say, HOw straight acting can you be with a cock in your mouth?