I’m Not Trying To Be Inflammatory, I’m Just Curious. How Do Het Ace/aro People Face SYSTEMATIC Oppression?
I’m not trying to be inflammatory, I’m just curious. How do het ace/aro people face SYSTEMATIC oppression? Gay/bi/trans people face oppression like difficultly adopting children, finding housing, they may be fired from employment because of their gender or orientation. So they are bared from normal parts of live because of their gender/sexuality. Gay ace/aro people face this too, but what do het ace/aro people experience on a societal level?
If you’d been following my blog at all or even bothered to peruse it a little before dropping this message in my inbox, you’d probably already know the answer to your question.
You’d ALSO probably know that there are bi and pan aspecs too (e.g., I’m panromantic demisexual) which isn’t “gay” (does this term also include lesbians?) so I feel like your ask erases part of my own identity and that of others in the community.
For these reasons and more, I’d bet money that you’re not here because you’re “curious”. You’re probably here because you figure this is how you’re gonna stop a “self-imposing” aspec from speaking up for herself.
Well guess what: That’s just hateful & sad.
Regardless though of your intentions, I’m here to say that there is in fact SYSTEMATIC oppression against aspecs. For example, Dr Gordon Hodson wrote this about his 2012 study:
In a recent investigation (MacInnis & Hodson, in press) we uncovered strikingly strong bias against asexuals in both university and community samples. Relative to heterosexuals, and even relative to homosexuals and bisexuals, heterosexuals: (a) expressed more negative attitudes toward asexuals (i.e., prejudice); (b) desired less contact with asexuals; and © were less willing to rent an apartment to (or hire) an asexual applicant (i.e., discrimination). Moreover, of all the sexual minority groups studied, asexuals were the most dehumanized (i.e., represented as “less human”). Intriguingly, heterosexuals dehumanized asexuals in two ways. Given their lack of sexual interest, widely considered a universal interest, it might not surprise you to learn that asexuals were characterized as “machine-like” (i.e., mechanistically dehumanized). But, oddly enough, asexuals were also seen as “animal-like” (i.e., animalistically dehumanized). Yes, asexuals were seen as relatively cold and emotionless and unrestrained, impulsive, and less sophisticated.
When you repeatedly observe such findings it grabs your attention as a prejudice researcher. But let’s go back a minute and consider those discrimination effects. Really? You’d not rent an apartment to an asexual man, or hire an asexual woman? Even if you relied on stereotypes alone, presumably such people would make ideal tenants and employees. We pondered whether this bias actually represents bias against single people, a recently uncovered and very real bias in its own right (see Psychology Today column by Bella DePaulo). But our statistical analyses ruled out this this possibility. So what’s going on here?
If you’ve been following my column, you’ll recall that I wrote a recent article on what I called the “Bigotry Bigot-Tree” – what psychologists refer to as generalized prejudice. Specifically, those disliking one social group (e.g., women) also tend to dislike other social groups (e.g., homosexuals; Asians). In our recent paper (MacInnis & Hodson, in press), we found that those who disliked homosexuals also disliked bisexuals and asexuals. In other words, these prejudices are correlated. Heterosexuals who dislike one sexual minority, therefore, also dislike other sexual minorities, even though some of these groups are characterized by their sexual interest and activity and others by their lack of sexual interest and activity.
This anti-asexual bias, at its core, seems to boil down to what Herek (2010) refers to as the “differences as deficit” model of sexual orientation. By deviating from the typical, average, or normal sexual interests, sexual minorities are considered substandard and thus easy targets for disdain and prejudice. Contrary to conventional folk wisdom, prejudice against sexual minorities may not therefore have much to do with sexual activity at all. There is even evidence, for instance, that religious fundamentalists are prejudiced against homosexuals even when they are celibate (Fulton et al., 1999). Together, such findings point to a bias against “others”, especially different others, who are seen as substandard and deficient (and literally “less human”). “Group X” is targeted for its lack of sexual interest even more than homosexuals and bisexuals are targeted for their same-sex interests.
From news coverage of a recently published study (2016):
What should the average person take away from your study?
Since I first became interested in the issue, I have come to conclude that U.S. society is both “sex negative” and “sex positive.” In other words, there is stigma and marginalization that can come both from being “too sexual” and from being “not sexual enough.” In a theoretical paper, I argued that sexuality may be compulsory in contemporary U.S. society. In other words, our society assumes that (almost) everyone is, at their core, “sexual” and there exists a great deal of social pressure to experience sexual desire, engage in sexual activities, and adopt a sexual identity. At the same time, various types of “non-sexuality” (such as a lack of sexual desire or activity) are stigmatized.
For this particular study, I identified thirty individuals who identified as asexual and asked them first, if they had experienced stigma or marginalization as a result of their asexuality, and, second how they challenged this stigma or marginalization. I found that my interviewees had experienced the following forms of marginalization: pathologization (i.e. people calling them sick), social isolation, unwanted sex and relationship conflict, and the denial of epistemic authority (i.e. people not believing that they didn’t experience sexual attraction). I also found that my interviews resisted stigma and marginalization in five ways: describing asexuality as simply a different (but not inherently worse) form of sexuality; deemphasizing the importance of sexuality in human life; developing new types of nonsexual relationships; coming to see asexuality as a sexual orientation or identity; and engaging in community building and outreach.
I hope that average people would take away from this study the idea that some people can lead fulfilling lives without experiencing sexual attraction but can experience distress if others try to invalidate their identities.
Some of the social isolation we aspecs experience comes from religious communities. Indeed, the popular myth that religious people revere aspecs is very much NOT TRUE. For example, read “Myth 8″ from the VISION Catholic Religious Vocation Guide:
MYTH 8: Religious are asexual
Question: What do you call a person who is asexual?
Answer: Not a person. Asexual people do not exist. Sexuality is a gift from God and thus a fundamental part of our human identity. Those who repress their sexuality are not living as God created them to be: fully alive and well. As such, they’re most likely unhappy. All people are called by God to live chastely, meaning being respectful of the gift of their sexuality. Religious men and women vow celibate chastity, which means they live out their sexuality without engaging in sexual behavior. A vow of chastity does not mean one represses his manhood or her womanhood. Sexuality and the act of sex are two very different things. While people in religious life abstain from the act of sex, they do not become asexual beings, but rather need to be in touch with what it means to be a man or a woman. A vow of chastity also does not mean one will not have close, loving relationships with women and men. In fact, such relationships are a sign of living the vow in a healthy way. Living a religious vow of chastity is not always easy, but it can be a very beautiful expression of love for God and others. Religious women and men aren’t oddities; they mirror the rest of the church they serve: there are introverts and extroverts, tall and short, old and young, straight and gay, obese and skinny, crass and pious, humorous and serious, and everything in between. They attempt to live the same primary vocation as all other Christians do: proclaiming and living the gospel. However, religious do this as members of an order that serve the church and world in a particular way. Like marriage and the single life, religious life can be wonderful, fulfilling, exciting, and, yes, normal. Yet, it also can be countercultural and positively challenging. It’s that for us and many others. If you thought religious life was outdated, dysfunctional, or dead, we hope you can now look beyond the stereotypes and see the gift it is to the church and world.
NOTE: YOU CAN BE A GAY CATHOLIC PERSON BUT NOT ASEXUAL, BC ASEXUALITY DOESN’T EXIST (yet somehow we’re also “most likely unhappy” and “oddities”). I sincerely hope and believe that not all religions characterize us aspecs this way. But here are some personal accounts I found on a reddit site answering the question “Do any religions have a negative stance toward asexuals?”:
Please note that the Christian pastor in the last example was fearful (or something?) that an asexual was helping to lead a youth group and kicked them out of the church as a result.
More Posts from Spaceace0599 and Others
Star Error VII
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6
Star investigates Danny’s glowing freckles.
-----
"Star, where have you been?" asked Kwan.
Star took her normal seat at the A-List table in the cafeteria. "Nowhere. Sorry. Just had a thing I needed to care of."
"Aren't you going to eat?" asked Paulina, taking a bite of her chicken salad.
Star looked down at the empty table space in front of her. "Oh. Uh, actually, I already ate."
"What did you eat?" Dash grinned, chewing his food as he spoke. "Fenton's face?"
Star balked. "What kind of a question is that?"
"He walked in literally a minute before you did," said Dash, looking over in Fenton's direction where he was sitting with Manson and Foley a few tables away. "His loser friends were here on time as usual, so that means he was also 'taking care of something.' That 'something' probably being you, right?"
"So you and Danny are really hitting it off, huh?" Paulina playfully elbowed her in the side.
"No!" shrieked Star. "You guys have got it all wrong."
"Star, you don't need to keep denying it." Dash took a huge bite of his burger, a glob of ketchup smearing above his lip. "Paulina's dated him, too. Clearly that nerd's got something going on you girls like."
Paulina made a face. "I don't know what you're talking about, but could you please use a napkin, Dash?"
Dash wiped his mouth with his hand. "Paulina, we all remember that week when you were attached to Fenton's hip and we had to temporarily kick Kwan out of the A-List to make room for him."
"I could never forget," sighed Kwan with a pout.
"You're all crazy," said Paulina. "That never happened."
"Come on, Paulina." Dash took another bite, even more ketchup dribbling down his chin. "Just tell me what that nerd's secret is already. I mean, why would you date him of all people before me?"
Paulina pursed her lips. "Well, for one, he's not gross."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Stop talking with your mouth full, Dash! See, Danny's not a pig like you are."
"That's because Fenton barely eats at all. He's a twig."
"He's not a twig." Paulina looked in Fenton's direction and twirled a lock of her hair. "He's put on some muscle this past year. Don't you agree, Star?"
Star rolled her eyes. "Who's keeping track of that?"
"Look, all I'm saying is, I could kick his ass from one end of this school to the other." Dash sighed. "God, I actually kind of miss whaling on him. Coach said I had to knock it off or I'd get kicked off the team."
"Does Fenton know that?" asked Kwan.
"No, and I'm not gonna tell him." Dash smirked. "I'd rather him live in fear that I could pound him any day now."
"He's not afraid of you, you know," said Star with a shrug.
Dash furrowed his brow. "What did you say?"
"Fenton's not afraid of you," said Star more slowly.
"And just how do you know that?"
"He told me."
"Oh, did he tell you yesterday on your little date?"
"It wasn't a date, as I keep trying to tell you, but yes, it was yesterday at the cafe."
"He was probably just trying to impress you." Dash laughed. "You know, act like he's tough for his new girlfriend. But I think it's real cute that you two are starting to get to know each other so well."
Star wrinkled her nose and pouted.
"So how is he?" Paulina nudged her.
"What? How is who? What do you mean?" asked Star irritably.
"Danny," said Paulina. "I mean, is he a good kisser?"
"Shouldn't you know, Paulina?" asked Dash. "Surely you sucked face with him at least once when you were dating him."
"Shut it, Dash." Paulina glared at him. "I'm asking Star a question."
Dash rolled his eyes and stuffed the last bite of his burger into his mouth. "Yes, Star, please tell us what it's like to kiss one of the biggest geeks in school. We're all dying to know."
"I just want to know if he's better than me," said Kwan anxiously. "He's not, right?"
Everyone looked at her expectantly, waiting. Star chewed the inside of her cheek as her eyes darted between them.
And a few tables over, Fenton was chatting it up with his friends, all smiley because he had the upper hand again.
And then Star got an idea.
"Well, actually…" She put her elbows on the table and leaned forward. "We haven't kissed yet. Fenton—I mean, Danny says he wants to practice a little more first. You know, to make sure our first kiss is perfect."
"Practice?" Paulina tilted her head.
"Yeah," said Star, grinning. "He has all these dolls and pillows in his room that he likes to practice on. They all have pictures of girls at our school taped to them. He says it makes it feel more authentic."
"Ew, are you serious?" Paulina crossed her hands over her chest and shuddered.
"No way, he doesn't do that, does he?" Kwan's eyes were wide.
"He's got at least a dozen of them," said Star. "He mostly uses pictures of cheerleaders."
"Oh, I have to tell everyone right now." Dash whipped out his phone and began furiously typing out a text message.
"Cheerleaders, so does that mean he has a doll or pillow with my picture on it?" asked Paulina.
"Oh, yeah." Star nodded. "I think he might practice with yours the most."
"Ugh, gross." Paulina stuck out her tongue. "But is it at least a good picture of me?"
Star's smile dropped. "Is it—what?"
"Just tell me it's not that picture of me after I ran that marathon last semester, is it? Where I'm all sweaty and my eyeliner is running?"
"Uh—"
"I know it's been circulating between all the boys, so please just tell me he's not using that one because I really hate it."
Star rolled her eyes. "He's using a great picture of you, don't worry."
Paulina sighed. "Okay, good." She also pulled out her phone. "The other cheerleaders are going to want to know about this, though."
Star smirked triumphantly as Dash and Paulina busily typed away on their phones, then she turned to look at Fenton across the way, catching his eye after just a few moments. She waved at him and flashed her most dazzling smile. Fenton's brow furrowed, his bottom lip sticking out slightly in a puzzled frown.
Star flipped her hair over her shoulder as she turned away. The game was back on.
via NYPost: Immigration and Customs Enforcement is preparing to launch a “big f–king operation” across sanctuary cities — including Chicago and New York — immediately after President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, multiple sources told The Post.
Starting Jan. 21, multi-day “ground operations” will be launched across cities that have served as safe havens for migrants because the local authorities do not cooperate with the federal government when it comes to immigration issues, sources said.
Please reblog, this is so important.
OK Tumblr Geriatric Ward, let’s talk about your posture-
there are things you should be doing now to prevent yourself from starting to look like 🥀
Why does it matter? Future you would like to avoid the pain, limited motion, and fall risk that goes along with worsening posture.
What’s the focus?
1. Keep the flexibility in your spine
2. Stretch the muscles in the front
3. Strengthen the muscle in the back
Here are some simple things you can do daily while sitting and when you get up to go into the bathroom or the kitchen
Keep the flexibility by doing these repeated movements: 10 repetitions several times a day
The goal is to give yourself a double or triple chin. Keep your nose pointing forward, don’t let it tip up or down
Thoracic extension- use a chair with a seat back that comes up to the level of your shoulder blades. Try to bend back over the top of the chair without arching away from the seat back and without extending your neck. If the pressure from the top of the chair is uncomfortable you can place a towel there
Stretch the muscles in the front by using a door frame. This one will feel good afterwards
If this isn’t enough of a stretch you can do one side at a time. If you have the right arm up step forward with the right foot and turn slightly to the left. Then do it on the other side.
Strengthen the muscles in the back by squeezing your shoulder blades together for a count of 10 and then repeating 10 times. You can do this several times a day Hint: Don’t lift your shoulder blades up
There are lots more exercises for strengthening your back muscles but this is a good starting point and easy to do. I like doing it while driving
Tips:
Do the best you can
If it hurts stop
Envision future you saying thank you each time you do one of the exercises
Do you know where you can watch Danny Phantom for free online? I was looking to write a fic and I want it to be accurate to the show but it’s been years since I watched it so my memory is kinda hasy
kimcartoon or watchcartoononline would be your best bet. i can't attest to the quality of either one, since i got the dvd set years ago.
I just saw these news that this brazilian 15 years old boy made a fake profile pretending to be a 14 years old girl
And with this profile, he baited a creepy old dude
And so they agree to meet at a nearby park during the night.
And the old dude goes there, expecting to find some naive girl to be preyed upon
only to find the 15 years old boy
dressed as SPIDER-MAN
AND DRESSED AS SPIDER-MAN
THE BOY KICKED THE DUDE’S ASS. LIKE. LEGIT KICK HIS ASS
HE HAD BRASS KNUCKLES
Of course, the creep wasn’t happy with it, and called the police on the spiderman kid. And when the police found the kid, you know what he did?
He said “that guys a pedo lol” and gave them a drive with all the evidence he collected thru the profile
Thank you, Spider-man. Thank you for your service.
Hey it’s ace week and you’re local ace has something to say! I’ve been out as ace for 3 years now and it’s still a big part of my identity that I’m proud of so here’s a lil something for those who need it!
Exercises for all the homies who want to have a long career drawing.
The true problem with being an artist and drawing all day (as I wanted my whole life) is that human backs are not designed to hold that position, so it is very common for artists and designers to have really stiff shoulder blades, creating a chain of muscle strain towards the arm AND the back… and a lot of pain.
These are some physical exercises for artists and honestly anyone who works at a desk.
(all credit to my physiotherapist)
The company budsies, which specializes in making custom stuffed animals and making duplicates of old or lost plushies, is currently offering to recreate the beloved stuffed animal of any kid who lost theirs in the LA wildfire, free of charge.
Their instagram post said to share this, so please spread this around so that families who've lost everything can receive just a little bit more hope in their lives 🥺
i'm curious- i just saw the post mentioning fics, if ur comfortable sharing, what are some of ur favorite mha/bkdk fics you've read?- ps i absolutely love everything abt your art it's amazing 🫶
tysm !! All the recs I've shared are under the tag "fic recs" and I've made two posts so far here and here but I'm happy to share more !
once forgotten, twice removed by blueh - 42k complete - AFO from a universe where deku is a villain, brings over deku from a universe where he's a pro hero assuming he's a villain in that universe as well, things do not go well for AFO. Super great, it's pretty popualar but I wanted to include it cause it's a favourite of mine :)
dogs days by keyhimura - 14k complete - Bakugou gets hit with a quirk which slowly turns him more and more into a wolf, he has a soft spot for deku :') This one is bkdk and I love it a bunch ! (off topic but I always forget that the title is plural dogs not singular dog so it took me a hot second to find it)
mortality by jojojonah - 34k complete - Deku has a quirk that he didn't know about that's essentially an immortality quirk, he can come back to life after dying, but it takes a bit longer for his memories to come back. Little angsty and was fun to read !
call me izuku (orphan account) - 5k complete - Deku's hit with a quirk that makes it so nobody can remember who is is and he can't tell people who he is. He spends time at shikestu, short and sweet :')
ask for kacchan - deadwriter16 - 21k complete - quirkless!deku who's a big hero nerd and ph!bakugou. Kind of a new girl au, Deku's searching for an apartment and finds an ad looking for a fourth roommate, little does he know, they're all pro heroes. It's silly and great <3
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