Third stitch. - The Queer Heterosexual

10th March 2010

Post reblogged from genderqueer with 50 notes

The Queer Heterosexual

theythesphere:

The Queer Heterosexual by Tristan Taormino

Once staunch separatists, queer people are flaunting our fluidity when it comes to gender and identity. Whereas in the late ’80s and early ’90s, the dominant LGBT narrative was a coming-out story, today it’s more like “I’m a lesbian in a relationship with a gay-identified bi guy, so what does that make me?” Plus, the evolution of an out, proud, vocal, and visible transgender community has turned everything on its head, making the term “opposite sex” practically meaningless, or at best confusing. What’s the opposite sex of a male-to-female transsexual? Is the lesbian lover of a male-to-female transgender person bisexual or something else entirely?

All these advances have led to greater dialogue and diversity within LGBT communities. But they have also ushered in a new identity: the Queer Heterosexual. How does one spot a QH? In some cases, it’s based on either one or both partners having non-traditional gender expressions…or they actively work against their assigned gender roles. Some queer heterosexuals are strongly aligned with queer community, culture, politics, and activism but happen to love and lust after people of a different gender. I also consider folks who embrace alternative models of sexuality and relationships (polyamory, non-monogamy, BDSM, cross-dressing) to be queer, since labeling them “straight,” considering their lifestyle choices, seems inappropriate. Then there are those folks who may be straight-looking and straight-acting, but you can’t in good conscience call them straight.

Emphasis mine. I have my issues with Tristan Taormino, but I also think a lot of what she has to say is pretty darn awesome.

Responses?

Source: theythesphere