Well, actually, before I go all ranty here, I'd like to apologize to everyone still waiting for a commission. Slowly but surely, I'm getting to it. Life just didn't settle down like I thought it would after Detroit. We'll see if summer's any kinder before I have to head right on back there.

ANYWAYS, onto the reason why I dusted off the old journal. Considering no one actually READS my LJ, I can't very well rant there and actually get feed back, so indulge me for a moment.

Homosexual stereotypes piss me off. Actually, stereotypes in GENERAL piss me off. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I don't fall back on them, too. I'm human, and usually my mouth travels faster than my brain can, so I screw up. They're still wrong, especially when it comes to the 'sensitive' subject of ones interest in the same sex.

Mind you, I don't find it sensitive. It's other people. And good for them--have your own opinions. It's just...okay, here's exactly what pisses me off.

Not all gay men are women with dicks. They're not. The end. That, kids, is a stereotype. Yes, there are men who like other men and are flirtatious, well dressed, spike their hair, like make-up, like dress-up, like unicorns, like bright colors (like pink), like thongs, and can be prone to bitchiness and cross-dressing. And yes, there are men who like other men and are...basically men, who are also well dressed, spike their hair, and are attracted to the bitchy, cross-dressing breed of man.

This is not all gay men, though. Nor do all lesbians have butch cuts and don't shave anywhere and like plaid (though I do like plaid--wtf, why the plaid hate, do you people not know Jack? I mean he's seriously the coolest person ever and plaid's his freaking element and--oh, nevermind). Nor are they all beautiful. Nor do they have to EXCLUSIVELY stick to homosexual partners. Srsly, where are the BI characters? Please, if someone knows an artist here with openly bi characters who ARE NOT SLUTS (bi =/= sluts), I would like linkage.

Ugh, anyways, AS I WAS SAYING; Stereotypical gays piss me off.

Yes, I know the typically publically acceptable gay man in all his sparkley glory exists, and there are many of him, I am MORE than cool with that. It takes guts to be yourself, and if that's who you are, glorious, I love you.

However, I don't like when people create gay characters, stick them into gender roles and expect us all to think they, the creators, embrace homosexuality as a whole. They don't. They are playing to the stereotype.

Oh, I didn't mention gender roles, did I? Well, not exactly by name. I guess in actuality? This is my biggest tiff with how most judge homosexuality. Actually for ANY sexuality. Ever. Gender roles are the biggest ball of horse-crap I've ever had the misfortune to have to deal with.

Let's get one thing straight; a relationship needs to be give and take on both sides. That's rule number one, the end.

Assigning a character a 'role' isn't bad writing, I guess, considering it's fairly realistic. People expect women to be clingy and guys to be strong and when it's the other way around, the typical American wonders if the girl doesn't just munch carpet behind the guy's back and if the guy wouldn't rather be playing sub to another guy.

And guess what? That's bullshit and a stereotype, but sadly, that's what our society has been raised to believe. Women are weaker than men.

It's therefore also acceptable that when two men are in a relationship? One is always the 'woman'. The one who likes to hang off the other's arm, get showered with compliments and kisses, is held rather than holds, and, of course, bottoms.

Bullshit.

Remember my mention that relationships need to be give and take? Yeah, it applies to the gays too. Why is it, then, that raaaaaarely do we see this anywhere? Instead, there's the utter lack of equal balance. Men who love men, and all that implies. Aka, a relationship LACKING the weepy uke and the overly stable (possibly rapey) seme. They're very few and far between.

A guy can like sports and cars and action movies and still like men. A girl can like fingernail polish and purses and dressing up and still like girls. Gay men don't have to like shopping, or decorating, or dancing--or THEATRE. Lesbians don't have to ride motorcycles and playboy and THE AFORMENTIONED PLAID.

So while it's not unrealistic to have your characters conform to the gender roles and the stereo types? It is very boring. It's all been done before. And probably in various degrees of better or worse than you are now. It's uncreative. You're crossing no boundaries and pushing no envelopes.

And I know, I know this is just play-time, fun games. It's what makes you happy. And that's great. Who am I to tell you who or what to draw? I'm no one. But I do have an opinion and if you can't think outside the box enough to embrace the reality that gay men CAN be MEN, I'm allowed to hold my opinion that you are POORLY REPRESENTING THE MINORITY YOU SUPPOSEDLY ACCEPT.

There.

Oh, and before anyone jumps up and down and points at my Herzie? I'd like to point out that I happen to pride myself in knowing he is NOT the stereotypically gay man. I've said this. Oh yes, he likes men. He likes men a lot. A lot, a lot. Especially the really well muscled ones. Hard abs, plzkthx. And yes, he's got long hair. And yes, he likes his long hair. And, why, YES, he does occasionally bottom, especially at the beginning of his relationship with Razer.

But he only bottomed exclusively because he thought he had to conform to the role as the 'smaller' man in the relationship. Heh, see what I did there?

He happens to HATE shopping and shies away from the color pink and would probably CHOKE if ANYONE suggested he squeeze into any high heels, or end his braid with a bow. He doesn't want to do that, people! His MOM wears bows! DO NOT WANT! And tight pants make him chaff.