The Sexual Binary
In the post just preceding this, Hub reader honestlyisay asked a question, and in my rush to get out the door to meet friends for dinner, I overlooked what I think is an important part of it.
Ever since I’ve been following feminist blogs and the like, I’ve been seeing a lot about people that don’t fall into the gender binary or sexual (is that right?) binary, and I was wondering. What are some good websites (other then like wiki) that I could go to to read more
The sexual binary is a real thing, and it’s oftentimes problematic. People think there’s heterosexual and homosexual and bisexual (which some people don’t even acknowledge as being a real identity) (and yes, in people’s minds, bisexuality is rooted in the binary, although it doesn’t have to be) and not much else is ever even considered. But there are asexuals, pansexuals, demisexuals, and more. And even bisexuality takes on a different meaning if you stop to consider there are more than two genders and a given person could be attracted to any combination of two of them.
The problem is that I am totally unqualified to suggest good, educational sites. I know, and even follow, certain Tumblr sites devoted to bisexuality and pansexuality, but I lack the personal investment to be able to make a solid recommendation. I also know of a well-known board that serves as a hub for the asexual community, but have heard it suffers from certain problems (like not being very trans, or at least non-binary, friendly).
(on a side note, it feels like I’m missing a label to refer to people falling outside the gender and sexuality binaries. “Genderqueer” and “genderfluid” works for a lot of people, but I don’t think everyone claims those as their identity. Still, just saying “non-binary” feels like I’m putting “binary” front and center a little too much. If anyone has anyone has commentary on this, I’d love to hear it.)
If Hub readers out there can make any good recommendations, there are at least two people who are interested. :-)
- Renee
