LGBTAitp #36: May Contain Bites!

[Lea Plath]

Actually, we lied. It always contains bites!

So hello everyone! This is the thirty-sixth itteration LGBTAitP thread! The thread is to support, celebrate and discuss anything that falls outside the bounds of what is heterocisnormative. It is first of all a support thread, and then an education thread. If you want answers about some of the more difficult and trigger inducing aspects of LGBTA, there are a number of people listed below who can answer questions.

Please note that although the title of the thread names only the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Asexual communities, it is intended as an all inclusive environment. Everyone is welcome. L, G, B,T, A, Q, I, A, N, V, P, R, Q, Ω, ♅, everyone. As long as they behave themselves.

If you have a question or two about LGBTA+, you can ask it here! You can ask for advice and support in here.

In addition, many members are willing to give private advice one on one, either through email or PM. The best way to do this is asking for PM help in thread, or else to PM one of the following people:

Name: Especially familiar with the topic(s) of
KenderWizard: General/basics, gender and feminism, bisexuality
Musashi: General/basics, asexuality/demisexuality, depression
noparlpf: General/basics, asexuality, greysexuality, biology, Skype
Lea Plath: Genderfluidity
Lycunadari: Genderqueer and agendered
Eldest: General/basics, bisexuality, will Skype(voice if needed, no video)
Karen Lynn: General/basics, pansexuality, polyamory, will Skype(no voice or video, however)
HMS Sophia: Trans stuff (esp hormones)
Lix Lorn: General/basics
Tanail: Trans stuff (esp emotional issues), Skype(no voice or video, however)
Absol197: Gender identity issues
Warkitty: Academic/technical discussions
Lentrax: General/basics, depression, bullying
Wormwood74: Transgender legal issues, transgender outside contacts
Astrella: GSRM rights, feminism, trans stuff, Skype
Asteron Questar: Relationships, depression
Mystic Muse: Skype-y goodness.
Socratov: Skype-ness
Chess435: Skype

Some people are also willing to talk off-board, through Skype or email or other means, this is especially useful if your question involves board-forbidden topics such as religion or politics. Also, we can't (and ethically shouldn't!) give medical advice. If you need medical advice, please see a professional!


Here are the rules of this thread!

• Everyone is welcome. Let's try to keep from seeming otherwise.
• Keep this topic free of politics and religion. (so, don't violate the board rules, plz)
• It's beyond the scope of this thread to discuss whether LGBT is "Right." (And really, most discussions probably should avoid moralizing too much anyway)
• Please refrain from posting sexually explicit content. (Keep it friendly as well as board safe )

Here are the links for the previous threads, where much of use or interest may be found:

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1. LGBT people in the playground
   
2. LGBT people in the playground - part II
   
3. LGBTitp - part III
   
4. LGBTitp 4: We are a family?
   
5. LGBTitp - Part Five
   
6. LGBTitp - Part Six
   
7. LGBTitp - Part Seven
   
8. LGBTitp - Part Eight
   
9. LGBTitp - Part Nine
   
10. LGBTAitp - Part Ten
    
11. LGBTAitp - Part Eleven
    
12. LGBTAitp - Part Twelve
    
13. LGBTAitp - Part Thirteen
    
14. LGBTAitp - Part Fourteen
    
15. LGBTAitp - Part Fifteen
    
16. LGBTAitp - Part Sixteen
    
17. LGBTAitp - Part Seventeen
    
18. LGBTAitp - Part Eighteen!
    
19. LGBTAitp - Part Nineteen
    
20. LGBTAitp - Part Twenty - Critical Hit!
    
21. LGBTAitp - Part Twenty-One - BLACKJACK!
    
22. LGBTAitP Part 22: The Best There Is
    
23. LGBTAitP Part 23: Et tu, ~Bianca?
    
24. LGBTAitP: Alphabet Soup-with 24 different Vitamins!
    
25. LGBTAitP part 25: Doing Away With Subtitles
    
26. LGBTAitP 26: No Time For Snappy Titles
    
27. LGBTAitP 27: Of Shoes, and Ships, and Sealing Wax
    
28. LGBTAitP #28: Come Taste the Rainbow!
    
29. LGBTAitP #29: The Rainbow Outreach Program
    
30. LGBTAitP 30: Free Cuddles (Enquire Within)
    
31. LGBTAitP #31: Cuddles Are On Back Order. Have Some Snuggles!
    
32. LGBTAitp #32: The Great Plushie Invasion!
    
33. LGBTAitp #33: The Thread at the End of the Rainbow!
    
34. LGTAitP 34: <3!!
    
35. What Midlife Crisis? :3

And, for reference, here is the Thousand&Wordster Dictionary of Commonly Used LGBTAitp Words and Phrases

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Lagerbeta: A fine brewski to be drunk by queers and allies.
LGBT: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*
Trans*: Transsexual and Transgender
LGBTA: LGBT+Asexual/Allies
QUILTBAG:

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Q - Queer and Questioning
U - Unidentified
I - Intersex
L - Lesbian
T - Transgender, Transexual
B - Bisexual
A - Asexual
G - Gay, Genderqueer

Allies: Straight people that support equality for sexuality and gender minorities.
MtF: Male-to-Female: A woman born with male nibblies, who may or may not be seeking HRT and/or SRS. (AKA: trans woman)
FtM: Female-to-Male: A man born with female nibblies, who may or may not be seeking HRT and/or SRS. (AKA: trans man)
GQ: Genderqueer.
CS: Cis-sexual: sex and gender match (a male with male nibblies, a female with female nibblies.
TS: Transsexual: Sex and gender disparity.
HRT: Hormone replacement therapy. MtF's take more progestrogens and oestrogens and FtM's take more testosterone (I think?)
SRS: Sex Reassignment Surgery: Surgery to replace/transform a vagina into a penis, or vice versa depending on direction. Mastectomies or plastic surgery may be used on breasts.
FFS: Facial Feminization Surgery: Plastic surgery to reduce chin/nose/cheekbones. not very common.
AFAB/AMAB: Assigned Female/Male at Birth
FAAB/MAAB: Female/Male Assigned at Birth.


Man: A cisman or transman. Male.
Woman: A ciswoman or transwoman. Female.
Androgyne: Gender Identity with male and female aspects.
Genderfluid: Someone who fluctuates between male and female.
Agendered: Someone who feels neither male nor female.
Third-gendered: Someone who fits in a local society's third gender, usually male performing female tasks, occasionally vice versa.
Masculine: Something generally associated with men.
Feminine: Something generally associated with women.

Lesbian: A woman who is attracted to women.
Gay: A man who is attracted to men.
Homosexual: A person who is attracted to members of their gender.
Heterosexual: A person who is attracted to members of the opposite gender.
Bisexual: A person who is attracted to two genders (usually men and women, sometimes transgender instead of one of those).
Pansexual: A person who is attracted to people regardless of gender.
Asexual: A person who does not feel any/some sexual attraction.
Demisexual: A person who is sexually attracted to someone(s) they have formed an intense emotional relationship with.
Polyamorous: A person who is interested in a relationship with more than one person.
Radosexual: A person who is only attracted to rad people.
Pomosexual: A person who avoids SO labels.

Sexual Orientation: How one identifies who they are attracted to. (SO)
Gender Identity: How one feels inside society's idea of "man, woman, or other". (GI)
Gender Expression: How one expresses their GI to society. (GE)
Significant Other(s): Person you are in a relationship with. (SO)

Webcomics that touch on... Well, everything related to the thread.

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Venus Envy. Long dead webcomic. The creator has chosen not to continue it and move forward in life.
Rain. A story of a MtF girl in high school.
Khaos Komix.As the creator puts it(from his site): "A complete GLBTWTFBBQ comic about gender and sexuality. (Trigger warnings for EVERYTHING and nothing is safe for work.)"
Always Raining Here. "Adrian is heartsick, Carter is horny. This is a story about their misadventures as awkward teenagers as they fumble through unrequited romances."
Tripping over you.An awkward blind date leads to better options.
Questionable Content. The LGBTA characters are well done, and not stereotypes.
What's normal anyway. An FtM webcomic. Seems decent so far.

I know I missed a few webcomics, and if anyone finds more, feel free to PM them to me with a brief description, and I will add them.

[Jormengand]

Hurrah for new threads. *Bites.*

[noparlpf]

And I will agree, this thread can feel quite cliqueish. This is something we need to address. Injokes like the biting thing and all the flirty is fun for us, but it can make other people feel like outsiders and that isn't something we want to encourage. I will also say there might be a bit of a hierarchy as well, which can sometimes discourage discussion.

However, we are a support thread mainly and we need to get a balance.

How do you mean, a hierarchy?

[Lea Plath]

How do you mean, a hierarchy?

Certain people are more popular than others and can shut down discussion if they wish. On purpose or by accident.

[Philemonite]

Certain people are more popular than others and can shut down discussion if they wish. On purpose or by accident.

And some people cause them by accident.

*looks sheepish*

[noparlpf]

Certain people are more popular than others and can shut down discussion if they wish. On purpose or by accident.

Huh. I haven't noticed. I have also been trying to avoid the arguments lately.

[Philemonite]

Huh. I haven't noticed. I have also been trying to avoid the arguments lately.

I have been actively trying to stop them, I hope you guys noticed my efforts.

Also, Lea, please add a vent list (and put my name on it).

[Kindablue]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that was funny

If it were socially acceptable I would tell scat jokes all the time every day.

[Eirala]

Out of the last thread:

In my opinion, it makes the thread feel more like a clique. One that I'm excluded from.

I have to say i felt excluded at first too and i still don't feel quite like "part of the family" yet, but that may also be due to me not posting too much ^^
Anyway, new thread :3 *calls for Lea* Feel free to bite as often as you want
and where you want

[Partysan]

Certain people are more popular than others and can shut down discussion if they wish. On purpose or by accident.

This is interesting, because I haven't noticed it that way, although I'd consider myself rather low in any theoretical thread hierarchy. There are some exceptionally popular posters, I agree, but I never thought of them as hierarchically higher.
I'm not saying what you wrote is invalid or untrue, only that I didn't perceive it the same way.

By the way, please add me in the top post: I can help with the issues of polyamory and pansexuality (which right now Karen is alone with), I can address BDSM but am unsure if you want to include that as it's not an LGBT issue (nor is polyamory though) and I am willing to listen to rants and venting as I'm rather unsusceptible to most triggers. Also, I'll skype.

[Lentrax]

Reported from last thread, just in case:

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I think of myself as both genders. Not really trans, but not just singled gendered either.

Anyway, Lentrax's World Famous Nachos:

Things you need:
Tortilla chips
Taco meat
Cheese (I use a blend of Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and Poblano)
Sour Cream
Jalapeño peppers
Salsa
Olives

1. Microwave a small amount of leftover taco meat (Fresh is better, but with three kids I can't always have it.)
2. Place layer of tortilla chips on a plate. Spoon a handful of meat on top of the chips. Cover with cheese and jalapeños.
3. Add more chips. Add remainder of meat, cheese, and peppers.
4. Microwave for 1 minute.
5. Add sour cream, salsa, and olives.
6.Eat.

[Eldest]

By the way, please add me in the top post: I can help with the issues of polyamory and pansexuality (which right now Karen is alone with), I can address BDSM but am unsure if you want to include that as it's not an LGBT issue (nor is polyamory though) and I am willing to listen to rants and venting as I'm rather unsusceptible to most triggers. Also, I'll skype.

Oh, good point. Probably add pansexuality to me as well. And I can talk about polyamory, but not an expert on that.

Re: clique: I felt a bit like that when I started, to the point where I was just asking for information occasionally and then started to research stuff for other people, and then the research turned into just being a part of the thread. So yes, I guess that when you first post, it's going to look daunting. I'd hope that after a short time, though, you feel accepted, especially with how much we focus on welcoming new people.
And I do try to explain at least some of the injokes when people join. Anybody who's joined and payed attention, did it help?

[Lix Lorn]

Hey guys. I return after a long absence. HUGS TO EVERYONE!

OMIGOSH GOLLY (TACKLEGLOMP)
I was just thinking yesterday I missed you. ^^

Second: Lix, the only way that joke could be funnier would be to use science references: Those clothes would look even better hitting the floor at 9 m/s^2

...nine point eight.

Also, I am going to need you all to go ahead, and uh, slow down this thread train while I am asleep. Yeah, that'd be greaaaat, mk? Thanks!

~Matthew~

(laughter)

[Silverrida]

...nine point eight.

9.7903 or 9.81*

>.>

<.<

Also hi everyone. Not a part of the LGBTA community myself, but support the community in general. I like that this is basically the first thread I saw and there are 36 of them :)

[SiuiS]

This is te first time I've ever accidentally grabbed multitudes from multiple other threads before...

In my opinion, it makes the thread feel more like a clique. One that I'm excluded from.

Sorry, luv

Psst. This thread is totally legit and bite free. I promise :3 http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showt...3#post15375113

And I will agree, this thread can feel quite cliqueish. This is something we need to address. Injokes like the biting thing and all the flirty is fun for us, but it can make other people feel like outsiders and that isn't something we want to encourage. I will also say there might be a bit of a hierarchy as well, which can sometimes discourage discussion.

However, we are a support thread mainly and we need to get a balance.

Aye. It is hard to fix though, especially since we cannot actually fix it, or even really call it a problem. C'est la vie.

If it were socially acceptable I would tell scat jokes all the time every day.

Everything in moderation, sweetie.

This is interesting, because I haven't noticed it that way, although I'd consider myself rather low in any theoretical thread hierarchy. There are some exceptionally popular posters, I agree, but I never thought of them as hierarchically higher.
I'm not saying what you wrote is invalid or untrue, only that I didn't perceive it the same way.

I have. It's a mix of topic and tenure. Certain posters are considered authority on certain topics, etc.

By the way, please add me in the top post: I can help with the issues of polyamory and pansexuality (which right now Karen is alone with), I can address BDSM but am unsure if you want to include that as it's not an LGBT issue (nor is polyamory though) and I am willing to listen to rants and venting as I'm rather unsusceptible to most triggers. Also, I'll skype.

I think having a link for a thread related BDSM discussion is asking for moderator intervention, myself. If it will come up at all, it will do so naturally off-forum, through Skype et al.

[noparlpf]

...nine point eight.

Around me it's actually closer to ~22m/s² UP. Ah, Physics labs...

[Jormengand]

9.7903 or 9.81*

>.>

<.<

Also hi everyone. Not a part of the LGBTA community myself, but support the community in general. I like that this is basically the first thread I saw and there are 36 of them :)

*Digs into alphabet soup and brings out an A for ally.*

You count as one of us.

Also, I hate reference to the LGB(T)(A)(whatever) "community" because the fact remains that it's not really a community.

[Eldest]

9.7903 or 9.81*

>.>

<.<

Also hi everyone. Not a part of the LGBTA community myself, but support the community in general. I like that this is basically the first thread I saw and there are 36 of them :)

Hiya! Welcome. No problem with being here and being straight, we have a few people floating around that are allies, and I thought I was for a while.
Anyway, important things. Cake's over there, hugs are all around, and there might be biting. Just in case you didn't know from the thread name.

[Partysan]

I have. It's a mix of topic and tenure. Certain posters are considered authority on certain topics, etc.

I guess that might be true. Question is whether it's undeserved.

I think having a link for a thread related BDSM discussion is asking for moderator intervention, myself. If it will come up at all, it will do so naturally off-forum, through Skype et al.

Well, the discussion itself would naturally be off forum, it would just mean people know whom they can ask about it.

Re: clique
For me it was opposite to what others have said. The close-knit community combined with people freely and sometimes silly joking, flirting and biting made me think: "these people are open, affectionate and lovably crazy, they will surely accept me for who I am and digitally hug me." And so it was.

[mistformsquirrl]

That's what happened with me too Partysan < . .>; I mean, I was scared out of my wits bringing up transgender stuff in a public space; but after a brief introduction people have been so incredibly friendly and nice to me I feel like I belong here <._.>/ And I'm terribly shy I will add, so that's saying something.

Obviously YMMV on that point, but that's how it's worked out for me < . .>

[Silverrida]

*Digs into alphabet soup and brings out an A for ally.*

You count as one of us.

Also, I hate reference to the LGB(T)(A)(whatever) "community" because the fact remains that it's not really a community.

Haha, I actually assumed the A stood for asexual, but ally is fine too!

And it depends on what you define as a community. There are LGBTA meetups and support groups and activist groups throughout the USA at the very least. Is this a community? I feel like it could be argued both ways, personally.

Hiya! Welcome. No problem with being here and being straight, we have a few people floating around that are allies, and I thought I was for a while.
Anyway, important things. Cake's over there, hugs are all around, and there might be biting. Just in case you didn't know from the thread name.

Thanks for pointing out the cake, but I'ma wait till everyone else has some!

Hugs are the greatest, so that's fine.

Biting not so much. I shall avoid it >.>

Thanks for the welcome guys/gals

[TheCountAlucard]

Yay for biting! (noms)

[Kindablue]

Everything in moderation, sweetie.

All the time. Every day. >:l

[noparlpf]

Haha, I actually assumed the A stood for asexual, but ally is fine too!

Hey there.
Yeah, it really depends. Most people use it to mean "Ally", but it can be either or preferably both. I've hardly ever actually seen it used to mean "Asexual" offline, which is a bit disappointing to me.

Edit:

All the time. Every day. >:l

You have to intersperse them with butt jokes and fart jokes.

[golentan]

I don't want to make anyone feel excluded, but I like the injokes and banter conversations.

Hmm, topics I feel comfortable talking about to concerned individuals... Fluid sexual orientation, for one. Also, psychosis and depression. A lot of gender and sexuality stuff gets harder to cope with when in the grip of mental illness (particularly bullying related stuff), and I've dealt with psychosis since I hit puberty and depression for at least half a dozen years. If anyone is having problems along those lines, I'd be happy to share what experience I've gleaned.

[Jormengand]

Haha, I actually assumed the A stood for asexual, but ally is fine too!

And it depends on what you define as a community. There are LGBTA meetups and support groups and activist groups throughout the USA at the very least. Is this a community? I feel like it could be argued both ways, personally.s

It does both: in the long version there're at least two "A"s.

Well, LGB etc.ness doesn't automatically make you part of a community. There are LGB communities, there is not "The LGB Community."

[Philemonite]

Thanks for pointing out the cake, but I'ma wait till everyone else has some!

Hugs are the greatest, so that's fine.

Biting not so much. I shall avoid it >.>

Thanks for the welcome guys/gals

But Lea bites out of love.

Anyway, big welcome from me and a hug if you need/want one.

For me it was opposite to what others have said. The close-knit community combined with people freely and sometimes silly joking, flirting and biting made me think: "these people are open, affectionate and lovably crazy, they will surely accept me for who I am and digitally hug me." And so it was.

I came here for advice, stayed for the company.

*Digital hug*

[SiuiS]

I guess that might be true. Question is whether it's undeserved.

I am a fractured being, capable of holding multiple and exclusive viewpoints in harmony. I am not the one to ask; my espoused opinion fluctuates with my humors.

Well, the discussion itself would naturally be off forum, it would just mean people know whom they can ask about it.

It is important to note that PMs are not "off-site". You won't get caught unless someone reports you, but I find the idea of breaking an agreement because i know I won't get caught repugnant in extremis.

[Partysan]

I am a fractured being, capable of holding multiple and exclusive viewpoints in harmony. I am not the one to ask; my espoused opinion fluctuates with my humors.

Most fascinating.

It is important to note that PMs are not "off-site". You won't get caught unless someone reports you, but I find the idea of breaking an agreement because i know I won't get caught repugnant in extremis.

Which is why I offered to skype. Which is decidedly off-site.

[Lentrax]

Haha, I actually assumed the A stood for asexual, but ally is fine too!

And it depends on what you define as a community. There are LGBTA meetups and support groups and activist groups throughout the USA at the very least. Is this a community? I feel like it could be argued both ways, personally.



Thanks for pointing out the cake, but I'ma wait till everyone else has some!

Hugs are the greatest, so that's fine.

Biting not so much. I shall avoid it >.>

Thanks for the welcome guys/gals

There is plenty of cake for everyone! I will even bake you one to your taste!

Have cake, and be happy!

Oh and as for biting, Lea does it to everyone. It's not too bad, especially if you're into it...

Now, where did that Scion of mine go...