From firinel and many others: Go browse through my list of interests and pick one (or many!) that either you know nothing about or can't fathom why I'd be interested in that and ask for an explanation. Feel free to pick a community if you've a question about one of those, as well.
consistent life ethic: a humanistic perspective that evokes a broad respect for life and defense of the vulnerable, the powerless, and the marginalized. Some interpret this as a radically pro-life position, but I and many others believe a more nuanced position is equally (if not more) consistent. Generally, it includes attitudes that war, poverty, the usual -isms, capital punishment, euthanasia, abortion, disenfranchisement of the third world, etc. should be dealt with proactively (through justice and mercy actions, nonviolent resistance, civil disobedience, etc) in an effort to minimize them, and realize their end where possible. For me, this means I am against pre-emtive war; for economic justice; against capital punishment if for no other reason than there are innocent people on death row; for abortion and euthanasia being safe, legal, and rare; etc.
ex-gays (this entry contains some pretty obvious bias including some common misinformation; I guess I should see about correcting it.): (paraphrased from Bridges Across) used to mean people who have experienced same gender sexual attraction (sga) and who, for religious or other reasons, have chosen not to embrace a gay or bisexual identity and not to engage in same gender sexual behavior (sgb). However, many people who would fall under this definition are not comfortable with the term as a label (especially, IME, celibates who do not experience a change in orientation). Ex-gay does not necessarily imply past sgb, nor does it specify the degree of change (if any) in sga. Being ex-gay is often seen as a process. In Exodus circles the word strugglers is used for those who are struggling with sga.
Why am I interested? Many reasons, most of which stem from my longtime involvement with the BA org linked to above. Several of my (primarily) online friends could be considered ex-gay by the definition above, though most would not take that label for themselves. Although many prominent ex-gays are arguably pawns of the religious right, it is not the case for most ex-gays. Some experience hatred and misunderstanding not only from pro-gay persons but also conservative Christians. I respect their path and though we may have differing points of view my belief is that I should still "recognize their humanity, try to hear them, love them, learn where their pain is, and stand in solidarity with them as human beings."
Allen participated in ex-gay counseling prior to coming out...it's a common stepping-stone for sga persons who grow up in a conservative (esp religious) environment. In that and other ways, it can be viewed as a subset of sexual minority culture (diverging from and/or opposed to the mainstream gay rights movement, but also intimately connected with it). I'm considering doing some sociological research on it and the queer by choice movement from that perspective.
hayao miyazaki: one of the greatest animators and directors in Japan. Many of his films have been distributed by Disney in the U.S. (and in fact he's been called the Japanese Walt Disney, though he hates that title). Films which you may be familiar with (and which make me a fan) are Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke (third highest grossing film in Japan), and Spirited Away (highest grossing film in Japan). I especially like his fantastic settings and environmental sensibility.
honorary lesbians: simply a person who is not a lesbian, but has been honored with the title of "lesbian." In my case, I came out at a small rural Southern university, where there were initially few other out gay men, but many out lesbians. They took me in and raised me as their own. :) As a result, I adopted many stereotypical lesbian traits, such as an interest in vegetarianism and a love of the Indigo Girls and softball. ;) I also developed a fondness for lesbian movies, sex scenes, porn, etc. So, at some point before graduation I was bestowed the title of "honorary lesbian." I continue to enjoy the company of lesbians to this very day. :D
That's all incredibly interesting, thanks! I knew what an honary lesbian is, I wondered how that pertained to you, and that was a great story. and I knew Hayao Miyazaki work of course, I'm just horrendous at names.
I actually snagged that one from firinel a while back. Here's her explanation on the same interests meme as this one, which pretty much lines up with my feeling of what it meant when I saw it in her list.
I like the ideas conveyed by the term: that it is a monogamy actively and freely chosen rather than based on default social norms or "ownership" relationship models; that it indicates monogamy need not be a permanent/ fixed condition of the relationship but rather acknowledges that as the relationship evolves so may the sexual aspect of it (as well as other aspects).
Oops, I think her entry is friends protected, but hopefully my shorter explanation conveys some of the same ideas and gives you an idea of what is meant (and/or perhaps a platform from which to ask more questions).
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2004-03-15 05:16 pm (UTC)no subject
ex-gays (this entry contains some pretty obvious bias including some common misinformation; I guess I should see about correcting it.): (paraphrased from Bridges Across) used to mean people who have experienced same gender sexual attraction (sga) and who, for religious or other reasons, have chosen not to embrace a gay or bisexual identity and not to engage in same gender sexual behavior (sgb). However, many people who would fall under this definition are not comfortable with the term as a label (especially, IME, celibates who do not experience a change in orientation). Ex-gay does not necessarily imply past sgb, nor does it specify the degree of change (if any) in sga. Being ex-gay is often seen as a process. In Exodus circles the word strugglers is used for those who are struggling with sga.
Why am I interested? Many reasons, most of which stem from my longtime involvement with the BA org linked to above. Several of my (primarily) online friends could be considered ex-gay by the definition above, though most would not take that label for themselves. Although many prominent ex-gays are arguably pawns of the religious right, it is not the case for most ex-gays. Some experience hatred and misunderstanding not only from pro-gay persons but also conservative Christians. I respect their path and though we may have differing points of view my belief is that I should still "recognize their humanity, try to hear them, love them, learn where their pain is, and stand in solidarity with them as human beings."
Allen participated in ex-gay counseling prior to coming out...it's a common stepping-stone for sga persons who grow up in a conservative (esp religious) environment. In that and other ways, it can be viewed as a subset of sexual minority culture (diverging from and/or opposed to the mainstream gay rights movement, but also intimately connected with it). I'm considering doing some sociological research on it and the queer by choice movement from that perspective.
hayao miyazaki: one of the greatest animators and directors in Japan. Many of his films have been distributed by Disney in the U.S. (and in fact he's been called the Japanese Walt Disney, though he hates that title). Films which you may be familiar with (and which make me a fan) are Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke (third highest grossing film in Japan), and Spirited Away (highest grossing film in Japan). I especially like his fantastic settings and environmental sensibility.
honorary lesbians: simply a person who is not a lesbian, but has been honored with the title of "lesbian." In my case, I came out at a small rural Southern university, where there were initially few other out gay men, but many out lesbians. They took me in and raised me as their own. :) As a result, I adopted many stereotypical lesbian traits, such as an interest in vegetarianism and a love of the Indigo Girls and softball. ;) I also developed a fondness for lesbian movies, sex scenes, porn, etc. So, at some point before graduation I was bestowed the title of "honorary lesbian." I continue to enjoy the company of lesbians to this very day. :D
no subject
Date: 2004-03-16 07:48 am (UTC)no subject
You and me both!
no subject
Date: 2004-03-15 08:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-15 08:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-16 12:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-03-21 02:39 pm (UTC)I like the ideas conveyed by the term: that it is a monogamy actively and freely chosen rather than based on default social norms or "ownership" relationship models; that it indicates monogamy need not be a permanent/ fixed condition of the relationship but rather acknowledges that as the relationship evolves so may the sexual aspect of it (as well as other aspects).
How's that?
no subject
Date: 2004-03-21 02:42 pm (UTC)