On the eve of all things rainbow, stiletto and sequence, I thought it was time to get a few things straight. Well that's if there is such a thing as straight.
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Gone are the days when women who love women are known simply as lesbians, and men who love men are just plain gay.
These days there’s a plethora of categories for sexual orientation – it would seem that humans really do like labels.
Having friends who are straight, gay and somewhere in between, I personally don't see any need to categorise. But if a label can help someone feel accepted, then I'm all for it. So I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learnt, a few labels I’ve stumbled across.
Nonmonosexualsm, I discovered, is for people attracted to more than one gender.
Those who consider themselves pansexual have romantic, desire for people of all genders and sexes.
Demisexuals are only attracted to those with whom they have an emotional bond. No random one-night stands in this crowd.
Enter the world of lesbianism and some distinct categories exist. Butch women, for example, have shaved hair, baggy jeans and don’t wear high heels.
The athlete lesbian has a competitive attitude and killer abs, while the boy-base girls wear minimal make-up and designer sunnies – think Ellen Degeneres.
Lipstick Lesbians have a quirky style, long hair and colleagues usually think they’re straight, while the Alpha woman sports at least four tattoos and an ‘’I can turn straight women’’ attitude.
What these women all have in common is that they run their own race, they love who they love. Like all humans, gay, straight or otherwise, they want to be accepted.
So on the eve of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, let’s refrain from judgement and join the colourful thousands who have the time of their life saluting individuality.
