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

[wivern.livejournal.com]

I'm in Australia so my perspective is going to be affected by that.

When I first found slash it was original Trek K/S and I thought it was amusing but it didn't grab me. We are talking 20 odd years ago when I was at Uni and most of my male friends were gay. I was also extremely conservative politiclly in those days. I should probably add that for me 'politcally' means economy, foreign policy, welfare, education etc... not people's sexual lives.

As time has passed I have become less conservative but I'd also say that the right wing party here (the Liberals) has got much, MUCH, more conservative.... hell even the leftish wing party has. It's sad really.

In Australia 'liberal' seems to have a differnet conotation to that which it has in America where it seems to be a dirty word in many circles, an attitude I find incomprehensible. Here there are small 'l' liberals who are progressive and open to change and there are large 'l' Liberals who are the conservative party/supports. Ironic isn't it? The right wing, conservative party here are the Liberals. *shakes head*

Any way, about slash, I find it amazing that anyone could be anti gay but enjoy slash. I suppose the closest analogy for me is rape fic - but as someone else pointed out rape fic, at least that writen by fans, isn't showing it in a positive light so the analogy is imperfect.

I'd say slashers tend to be socially and culturally open, whether we are MORE open than other groups is hard to say. I'm not in many other groups and my friends are all fairly open even the couple who are died-in-the-wool economic rationalists.

It's an interesting question. I also agree that it depends on the fandom. I'm primarilly a Q/O gal these days though I used to be into Professionals and I dabble in SG. These fandoms seem to have a reasonably homogeonous membership and seem to be 'liberal' in general. BTW I'd contest the person who said '18 to 30ish' many of us are well into our 40s. *g*

And I'd say that at least in Aus the older folk tend to be more 'liberal' than many of the younger... in RL anyway. I am constantly amazed at the conservatism of some, indeed many, of the younger people I meet. And I would have said I was one of the more conservative of my generation. Perhaps it's just the circles I move in but I don't know.

[gaycrow.livejournal.com]

I came here via Quick Quote, and was very interested to read your reply, as I'm Australian too, well over 40, and agree pretty much with everything you have to say.

I'm so disappointed that the Labor party has decided to go with the Liberals and vote against gay marriage - what choice does that give us voters?

I'm a "conservative" slasher, but support gay rights - very much so. I do feel as if I'm in a minority on LJ - most people seem to be much more left-wing than me.

I've also noticed that my children are more conservative than I am, which is strange - maybe I've become a little more mellow with age?

This whole thread is very interesting, and I've enjoyed reading it very much. Thanks emmagrant01 for starting it. :)

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

In Australia 'liberal' seems to have a differnet conotation to that which it has in America where it seems to be a dirty word in many circles

I'm not surprised it's different. It even varies from region to region in the US, actually.

These fandoms seem to have a reasonably homogeonous membership and seem to be 'liberal' in general. BTW I'd contest the person who said '18 to 30ish' many of us are well into our 40s.

True! HP is an incredibly diverse fandom compared to the MA group, and the average age of fen is a bit lower, for obvious reasons. I thought it interesting that you've sensed a generational difference in political views as well. Others in this post have commented that they thought LJ slashers tended to be more liberal than average because they're younger. I don't know if that's true or not!