https://readthenothing.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/richcompulsuryhet.pdf
Erm I don't know what I really want to discuss in particular, I just thought I'd leave some literature about what I've very recently read that made me question my attraction to men and sexual orientation in general.
I think if my current relationship doesn't work out, hopefully with support from sisters I might be able to try female separatism in order to try and connect with myself and other women more authentically. Maybe. I don't know.
Thanks for the link. The second page makes it much clearer as it is trying to spell out the issue that lesbianism is marginalised in feminist discourse and literature. The author is therefore accusing 'feminists' of neglecting this aspect of women's liberation of accepting 'hetrosexual norms' of society. I wouldn't have thought about that, but its like bisexual erasure in reference to discussions of homosexuality, as well as discussions of homosexuality amongst men.
sexual orientation can be quite fluid (speaking as a male bisexual) but it is not really a choice (as you would seem to be implying but I'm not sure). It goes deeper into our psyche that the conscious realm of reason. if you've had same-sex attractions in the past (or have someone in mind), it is useful to come out to people because concealing that aspect of ourselves is damaging.
psychologically it is quite complex and involves many changes to our identity, and is not limited to narrow definition of "sexuality" (the physical act of sex) as it changes how we feel about other things formerly associated with the sense of self. e.g. my taste in music has changed somewhat as I wrestle with reconcilling bisexuality with masculinity- I'm just semi-conscious that the process is going on, but I'm listening to alot more 'heavy bass' music now, and I sort of know because its about feeling 'masculine'. it tends to be associated with 'dominance' rather than the more 'feminine' classical music I used to like [but it was beethoven who was all about 'making some noise' and annoying people.] . so gender norms and identity have come up, and I'd imagine they would change quite alot in a female seperatist society. men cease to be 'dominant' and women have to figure out where that leaves them; do they want to be dominant in some sense, or continue with pre-existing gender roles emerging out of patriarchial society?
I know of female seperatism, but I haven't heard it from people who take it seriously, so my knowledge of it is very limited. I would compare it to racial seperatism (such as black seperatism/black nationalism in the US, e.g.
the Republic of New Afrika) in that we are assuming that white men are inherently oppressive and part of the partrachail/racist power structure. I would argue that it is more a question of a 'false consciousness' of social relations are naturally inequal, and in its way both racial and feminist seperatism perpetuate power inequalities by avoiding confronting the oppressers. its understandable, but segregation (by those who are oppressed) ultimately leaves the system of oppression unchanged.
