Author: z

The internet allows for instant communication with people from all over the world. We can email, blog, instant message, “poke” on Facebook, Skype call — and, potentially, all without ever seeing the body behind the text or voice. The pessimist might assert that these communications are superficial, detached, and “not real”; we are ignoring “real” people in favor of glowing screens and lines of text.

Yet this point of view invalidates the incredible, long-lasting, very real relationships that people such as myself develop over the internet. There is the chance that we may never see in person, or even in photographs, the people we interact with this way. However, with things like Skype Video and Face Chat and “selfies,” it is easier than ever to match a face to the text. And anyway, even if I’m not talking with a person face to face, they are no less a person and our conversations are no less valid.

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image by hugtherobots on tumblr

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Cisnormativity: here, there, and everywhere

Sometimes, it’s tough to keep inclusivity in mind. I get that; I really do. When you’re talking about breasts, breastfeeding, bras and breast cancer, women are put front and center — and hey, wouldn’t you know it, most people with breasts are women. (At least, that’s the mentality.) Similarly, you’ll find that talking about vaginas — I’m looking at you, Vagina Monologues — and penises and other gendered body parts similarly revolves around the one gender designated to have those parts. Fair enough, right? Discussions of men vs. women, boys vs. girls, “both” sexes, and being attracted to the “opposite” sex; each of these things sound pretty much par for the course based on what our society as a whole knows and acknowledges. I usually am inclined to give folks a free pass, to hold my hands in front of me defensively and say “alright, alright, you don’t know, it’s whatever.”

Except, it isn’t something that should just be shrugged off. Not really.

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Fursuiting: Creating Your Own Body

photo by kium on deviantART

If you’ve been around the internet for any extended period of time, or even if you happened by the Baltimore Convention Center around Bronycon or Otakon, you probably have seen or heard of “furries.” Furries, by definition, are individuals who are interested in the idea of anthropomorphic animals. They may merely appreciate furry art, or may draw it themselves. Some have furry characters representing themselves or multiple facets of their personality as “fursonas.” Some individuals may even identify with the animals portrayed or with animals in general more than they identify with being human. Individuals anywhere on this scale may create or commission costumes called “fursuits,” which vary in style, materials, and design.

What I find so interesting about the concept of fursonas and accompanying fursuits is the idea that it is possible, within this community and perhaps outside of it, to create an entirely new, self-constructed, and even non-human body to represent the individual as seen by the rest of the world.

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Online Gaming and Gendering Invisible Bodies

Anyone who frequents or even casually plays online games are likely to be familiar with the stereotypes and vitriol surrounding the “girl gamer.” If she exists at all, which very often she does not, she is in your games and responsible for your team’s loss. She’s probably just a “casual” gamer who should stay out of the “big leagues.” She probably isn’t a real gamer at all.

tumblr_m4s3tvjXWd1qfq9sno1_500[1]Am I doing it right?

Of course, on the internet, and in particular in the forum of a game where you have maybe an hour to construct your gender to a group of strangers who will likely never know your face or body or even name, being a “girl gamer” is less about bodies and more about gendered expectations. Bodies certainly are involved with those expectations, though.

TW for slurs, mentions of casual binarism, mentions of homophobia

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