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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

A really self-indulgent thread about sexuality and feminism and whether it's just me.

105 replies

NotAnotherFuckingNamechange · 26/01/2015 20:35

As the title says. I've NC because my usual name(s) are both pretty obvious, but if you're especially keen to figure it out PM me - I just don't want to die of shame by having this memorialised on the net.

So, my totally non-identifying (!) backstory. I'm bisexual, I've been out since I was in my teens. I've been in relationships with men because, frankly, it's a damn sight easier. Only, I've got more and more into feminism. I have had quite a lot of conversations, some of them with people on here, where people say that if they weren't with their current (male) partner, they don't know if they'd seek out another male partner - not because we don't like men, but because it is stressful.

I wondered if anyone would like to talk about that?

I'm currently single, and dating, and I keep on thinking, wow, I really don't want to go through the hassle of coping with someone else's male ego. Which feels horribly bigoted of me.

I must admit I also feel faintly embarrassed to be doing a teenage 'questioning my identity' because, for goodness' sake, I've been out for more than half my life and it really shouldn't feel as if I have to explain myself. And yet, I do.

Please patronize me gently, keep the eye rolling to yourselves, etc.

OP posts:
SardineQueen · 26/01/2015 20:47

If you felt it was easier to be with men before (and of course it is from a day-to-day POV) then maybe taking that step despite your sexuality feels like quite a big deal? I mean if you've had partners of both sexes but your main relationships have been men then although you've been out as bisexual you've not had to confront being in a more serious relationship with a woman and the stuff around that from society?

No idea about your past relationships so that's a total guess!

CaptainHolt · 26/01/2015 20:45

I'm bisexual and have been with a male partner for ages. I'm almost certain that if I was single I wouldn't want another male partner, not because I'm a secret lesbian or I'm not sexually attracted to men (I am), but just because it's too much hassle at my time of life.

NotAnotherFuckingNamechange · 26/01/2015 20:44

Well, quite.

If it were someone else posting, I'd say, why on earth are you bothered, just go with it and stay with women. What I can't figure out is why I feel unsettled by it.

I'm honestly not remotely worried about being 'unfair' - I think I actually wrote that as a knee-jerk response to the anti-feminist position.

OP posts:
SardineQueen · 26/01/2015 20:43

FWIW if I split up with DH now I think I'd really enjoy being by myself. I enjoyed it before I met him. Living with someone else can be hard work, and he's lovely, but I miss having totally my own space and totally pleasing myself.

Like I say I don't think it is unusual for women to feel this way.

Maybe ties in to expectations around roles and housework and stuff as well.

SardineQueen · 26/01/2015 20:41

If I were you I'd just stick to women and be done with it!

You're bisexual, but have predominantly stuck to men because it was easier, which is fine obv. At this point in your life you feel it will be easier to stick to women. That's fine too. So...

Don't worry about discriminating against them or being unfair or something! Grin

Lots of women decide they don't want a relationship with a man, once they get to a certain point in their lives. It can be hard work and the compromises involved can be unappealing. I don't think how you feel is unusual.

So in short, I'm not sure why you are feeling unsettled (?) about how you are feeling with this. Sounds perfectly reasonable to me!