fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #3370 ]

[ SECRET POST #3370 ]

⌈ Secret Post #3370 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.

__________________________________________________

02.

__________________________________________________

03.

__________________________________________________

04.

__________________________________________________

05.

__________________________________________________

06.

__________________________________________________

07.

__________________________________________________

08.

__________________________________________________

09.

__________________________________________________

10.

Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 03 pages, 070 secrets from Secret Submission Post #482.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

DATA: 96.6% of adults identified as straight, 1.6% identified as gay or lesbian, and 0.7% identified as bisexual. The remaining 1.1% of adults identified as “something else[]" [0.2%,] stated “I don’t know the answer[]" [0.4%] or refused to provide an answer [0.6%].

Knowing that most people is straight and only 3.3% of the population is gay or bi or other, is it wrong to assume people are straight unless they explicitly say it?

From a statistically point the view the answer is clearly no, but things aren't that simple. What do you think?

Source

As someone who is not straight, usually not.

Unless they pull one of those "cuz we men of the world just all love us some pussy right anon? hurr hurr" while elbowing me in the side like they expect me to chime in with how pussy is awesome and I totally am going to talk to them, a person I have nothing in common with besides the fact that we're men, about it.

I'm not even entirely gay, but that shit's obnoxious

Where is this data from? Because I'm p sure this isn't at all accurate.

Uh, no it's accurate. I actually just read about it for one of my classes. Keep in mind this is probably from census data too, and if people outright refuse to fill it out then there you are. This is what people were willing to disclose.

Re: Is it rude to assume that someone is straight?

(Anonymous) - 2016-03-27 02:45 (UTC) - Expand

Setting aside any other questions with the question you're asking or your data: "96.6% of people identify as straight" is a profoundly different claim from "96.6% of people are straight".

Not really all that different considering (unless you are monitoring everyone in the world and their fucking habits), people identifying themselves is the only way to get stats.

Re: Is it rude to assume that someone is straight?

(Anonymous) - 2016-03-26 21:32 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Is it rude to assume that someone is straight?

(Anonymous) - 2016-03-26 21:35 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Is it rude to assume that someone is straight?

(Anonymous) - 2016-03-26 22:49 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Is it rude to assume that someone is straight?

(Anonymous) - 2016-03-26 23:00 (UTC) - Expand

No. Why would it be rude?

What are you doing with this knowledge?

Not necessarily, but it is rude to be defensive or disbelieving if someone corrects you

and if talking to groups of people (like an academic lecture or something) it would be rude to assume everyone is in the group straight, cause its a big group, come on

Yes it's wrong and it's rude. When you do meet someone who doesn't fit with your statistics, your assumptions become hurtful.

Who the hell can predict what will offend people.

If you do it, it's embarrassing and awkward (and can be upsetting as well) when inevitably you assume wrong. Because even if we trust your data, that's still almost 1 in every 25 people you meet who will be not straight.

Whereas it takes very little effort to not presume and instead keep an open mind.

Though I know this is a very imperfect metaphor, you could think of the importance of keeping an open mind kind of like catering for a large group: you could assume on the balance of probabilities most people will be able to eat the same meal. But there are so many reasons (medical, lifestyle, ethical, religious) why a one size fits all approach won't work.

I would say not really if it's just something in your head, but... how many people go around looking at other and assume things about their sexuality? I mean, I can't say I've ever really thought at all about who someone's fucking unless it came up in a conversation.

Yes. Gross statistics don't have any bearing on individual people or social groups, and even if they did, there's no reason to assume anything about any given person's sexuality. It doesn't hurt you to use neutral terms for someone's significant other until they give you enough information to make an educated guess at gender.

Re: Is it rude to assume that someone is straight?

(Anonymous) - 2016-03-27 08:31 (UTC) - Expand

Contextually, yes.

Assuming someone is straight is an okay idea in general, but there are certain groups and situations where it's probably not a great idea to make assumptions about sexuality. Most people (80% probably) assume I'm straight, and most of the time I'm all right with that, but I'm not so all right with it when they're attempting to use that assumption as an argument as to why I shouldn't be allowed to voice an opinion on queer matters because of my supposed "straight" orientation.

Yeah kinda. I don't get angry at people for it.

But you didn't even think when you said shit and you're wrong. So yeah, rude.

Depends, are you assuming in your head because statistically it's the most likely scenario, or are you assuming and altering the way you talk and interact with the person based on what you think is most probable?

That 's erasing all the people who aren't straight.

Re: Is it rude to assume that someone is straight?

(Anonymous) - 2016-03-27 00:42 (UTC) - Expand

How about not making assumptions until you know? Because people who aren't straight are fucking sick of assumptions, given the wider social erasure of non-straight people, and rampant heterosexism. If you want to know what's "rude", then there's your answer.

You don't NEED to assume anything. Just ask.

Re: Is it rude to assume that someone is straight?

(Anonymous) - 2016-03-27 01:39 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Is it rude to assume that someone is straight?

(Anonymous) - 2016-03-27 03:29 (UTC) - Expand

Yuuup that's what my textbook says too. There are a lot of people who are closeted as well. But no I don't think it is wrong to make assumptions but how you go about it matters to. There is a difference between being curious and being rude about your inquiry.

Probably, but it's easier for me, a closeted homo, if you do.

I don't think RUDE, per se. But I wouldn't go assuming other people's sexualities.

"Oh and bring your wife!"

"I'm not--"

"You're not married yet? Well we can totally help you meet someone! There are lots of pretty girls here!"

"But--"

"You'd love my cousin! She's got great boobs!"

"Why would you even--"

"I mean, I can look but I can't touch, right?"

"I am so over this conversation. Can you stop now?"

"Okay, but *straight people things!*"

Re: Is it rude to assume that someone is straight?

(Anonymous) - 2016-03-27 16:55 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Is it rude to assume that someone is straight?

(Anonymous) - 2016-03-27 18:02 (UTC) - Expand

"only 3.3% of the population is gay or bi or other" - you're talking about self-reported census in one particular survey, not about actually how many people are queer. In addition to people not feeling comfortable labeling themselves as an oppressed minority even on a survey, considering the amount of people who identify as straight but have had same-sex experiences (or are even in same-sex relationships with "exceptions"), it's a lot higher than that.

No, do not assume people are straight. It's naive, and frustrating to gay people.

That data is ancient. Recent studies show teens/young adults at nearly half queer-identifying, and it's safe to assume a good chunk of them will continue to do so into adulthood. So yes, it's rude to assume that someone is straight.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only