Somebody stop me!

[emmagrant01]

Before I hurt myself.

But seriously, I have a question. It appears that most people who participate in slash fandoms are politically liberal (or left-wing, if you prefer that term). I realize that means many different things in different countries, of course, but when I cruise my f-list, I see lots of people who support gay marriage, who oppose the war in Iraq, who oppose the Bush administration in the US, and so on. It could just be a product of who happens to be on my f-list, but I'm not sure.

So are slashers, in general, more liberal than the average person on the street? Why or why not?

If you're not liberal and are a slasher, do you feel like a minority? Do you find it difficult to express your views?

ETA: The terms "liberal" and "conservative" mean different things to different people and aren't even opposites -- it's possible to be a liberal conservative, for example. I would love to hear what the word "liberal" means to you if you're applying it to yourself, or even if you don't.

I'm also curious to hear from people who don't support gay rights and believe homosexuality is immoral, yet who read and/or write slash. I know you're out there! I'd love to hear what you think!

Comments

[waiyza.livejournal.com]

This is a very interesting discussion. I just want to point out before I answer your questions that unlike most people on this thread I am liberal but am not a slasher. Do I think being gay/lesbien is bad? My religion does not support it. But, I, myself am not going to tell a gay/lesbien person that they're going to hell and they're sick, and whatever. I'll leave that up to God.

Basically I don't support gay/lesbien people, but that does not mean I don't support gay/lesbien rights. Does that make sense? I think everyone should have basic rights, even if they're gay/lesbien. But I don't I guess...approve of the lifestyle. If that is however the way a person want's to live, then that is totally up to them and I don't necessarily think they are a bad person. Yes, I don't approve of them being gay/lesbien but that doesn't mean I'm going to go all crazy on them because of it. It's their descisions.

Have I confused you yet? Basically I don't support the gay/lesbien lifestyle, but I do think gay/lesbien's should have the same rights as a heterosexual person.

I think that's why I can bear reading slash. Yes you heard it I read slash. Not, much. But occasionally I'll read a slash story, and it's always very light slash (and usually the slash is very slow to develop). Because although I don't support the lifestyle I can still enjoy all the non-slash parts, and the writing.

ok did that make any sense at all?

So are slashers, in general, more liberal than the average person on the street? Why or why not?

The answer is pretty easy: yes. But I think that's because LJ and the entire Fandom community is pretty liberal in general. I found that people who are liberal are more likely to become involved in a fandom. LJ itself is full of teens, who are most of them very liberal.

And if you don't agree with my views that is fine I totally understand.

Wow! Interesting perspective!

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

First, thanks so much for going out on a limb and commenting here!

Second, I think you're the first person I've met who describes herself as liberal, yet believes homosexuality is immoral. I'm wondering if you could define the term "liberal" as you see it? It clearly means different things to different people.

Third, you've stated above that you do read "mild" slash, despite your views of homosexuality. I'm wondering if you would mind explaining what appeals to you about it, even though the basic premise of two men (or women) in a sexual/love relationship is not appealing? This is a topic I've been wondering about for a long time, so I'd be grateful for an answer to that!

Re: Wow! Interesting perspective!

[waiyza.livejournal.com]

I guess I'm a weird liberal lol. I pretty much hold liberal views on everything, but homosexuality. I'm pro-choice, but outside the social arena I also support liberal economic views.

Why do I read some slash? Well, generally speaking slash tends to be very well-written and the character's usually have more depth then in het fiction. And it's just that, I can overlook the slash, and enjoy the writing and story-line. Take Eclipse (http://www.schnoogle.com/authorLinks/PhoenixSong/Eclipse/) by PhoenixSong, it's an H/D novel-length fic & well I'll just copy & paste her summary:

Draco swore his revenge on Harry for Lucius's imprisonment, and Harry all but laughed at him. But Draco is planning more than schoolyard pranks this time. The old rivalry turns deadly when Draco abducts Harry for Voldemort. It's the perfect plan, guaranteeing revenge, power, and prestige, all in one blow. But, when Draco’s world turns upside down, the fight to save himself and Harry begins, and the battle will take them both through hell and back. If they come back.
Harry/Draco slash, Post-OotP. -- The plot is very intricate, and while it does have slash in it the H/D relationship is slow to develop and the real story overshadows the slash in my opinion.

There's also theshoeboxproject by ladyjaisa & dorkorific which is RL/SB, but like Eclipse the slash is slow to develop and the story and writing by far overshadow the slash.

I guess I only read slash that has a very good plot, I don't think I've ever read a slash story that solely focuses on the slash relationship.

I hope I answered your questions :)

~Wai

Re: Wow! Interesting perspective!

[waiyza.livejournal.com]

umm that's theshoebox_project -- sorry about that!

Re: Wow! Interesting perspective!

[waiyza.livejournal.com]

...

I will get it right this time! It is shoebox_project!

Re: Wow! Interesting perspective!

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I've heard people claim many times that the quality of the average slash fic is significantly higher than the quality of the average gen or het fic. My experience reflects that, but to be honest, I read so little het or gen fic that I don't feel comfortable making such a claim myself!

I do think, however, that most slashers are interested in the relationships between the characters. The sex is a nice bonus, but without the relationship (or the backdrop of a plot), it's not as enjoyable. In that way, I don't see much difference in what you're saying above from the reasons many slashers would give for enjoying reading and writing their fanfic.

So do explicit descriptions of m/m of f/f sex in an otherwise great, plotty fic turn you off? Given a choice between het and slash fic of comparative quality, would you generally choose the het fic?

And one more question, if you don't mind: you say that you're pro-choice, but that your religion does not support/condone/agree with homosexuality. What about abortion, though? The vast majority of people I've known who were anti-abortion attributed to their religious beliefs. For the record, I'm pro-choice, but I find it interesting that your religious beliefs wouldn't have influenced your stance on abortion, as well.

Okay, I lied. One more question! Have your views on homosexuality changed at all as a result of reading slash?

Re: Wow! Interesting perspective!

[waiyza.livejournal.com]

Well I'm a Muslim and we while we do believe homosexuality is wrong, we are not anti-abortion. Islam gives the woman the choice, however it is usually only for certain circumstances, ie the woman was raped or having the baby may cause the woman to die, etc.

So do explicit descriptions of m/m of f/f sex in an otherwise great, plotty fic turn you off? Honestly speaking the answer is yes, I usually just skip that part and move on to the next part of the fic.

Given a choice between het and slash fic of comparative quality, would you generally choose the het fic? hmm, that's a hard question. I guess it really depends on what plot I think is better, and also the pairing.

Have your views on homosexuality changed at all as a result of reading slash? Umm, I don't think so, I've pretty much always been like this.

Hope that answered your questions :)