Because I insist that homosexual relationships ought not to be categorized as subveersive.
I understand what you're saying here, and I agree. But I'm not I can agree with your syllogism. I mean, sure, there are probably people who think that "gay sex = slash = subversive", which is an equation you don't want to reinforce. But I don't think that it has to be that way. Why can't we just define "slash (fic label, genre) = gay sex" with no regard to canon vs non-canon pairing (which is how a lot of fen use the term nowadays, I think) and keep the subversive connotations out of it entirely? Or at least teach that the connotations of subversion should not/no longer apply?
Because the meaning and connotation of words evolve over time, and maybe we first used "slash" to indicate a non-canonical relationship between Kirk and Spock, and this was considered "subversive". But now we use "slash" to indicate a canon relationship between Willow and Tara, and this isn't considered subversive at all (in fandom, at least, if not the world over). The word "gay" didn't use to mean "homosexual" but nowadays that's its main usage. Why can't "slash" be the fannish equivalent?
Anyway, I hope you don't mind my two cents. I'm mostly approaching this as a reader/writer, somebody who relies heavily on fic labels.
no subject
I understand what you're saying here, and I agree. But I'm not I can agree with your syllogism. I mean, sure, there are probably people who think that "gay sex = slash = subversive", which is an equation you don't want to reinforce. But I don't think that it has to be that way. Why can't we just define "slash (fic label, genre) = gay sex" with no regard to canon vs non-canon pairing (which is how a lot of fen use the term nowadays, I think) and keep the subversive connotations out of it entirely? Or at least teach that the connotations of subversion should not/no longer apply?
Because the meaning and connotation of words evolve over time, and maybe we first used "slash" to indicate a non-canonical relationship between Kirk and Spock, and this was considered "subversive". But now we use "slash" to indicate a canon relationship between Willow and Tara, and this isn't considered subversive at all (in fandom, at least, if not the world over). The word "gay" didn't use to mean "homosexual" but nowadays that's its main usage. Why can't "slash" be the fannish equivalent?
Anyway, I hope you don't mind my two cents. I'm mostly approaching this as a reader/writer, somebody who relies heavily on fic labels.