In the interest of fairness, het shippers can bash female characters too, if they get in the way of the OTP
Yes, good point. I particularly remember the slut-calling Buffy received for something I´ve even forgotten. It seems to me though - but I am not exactly a multi-fandom connoisseur - that het pairings shippers are narrow-minded in their own right and won´t even refrain from homophobic comments (remember "Iz"?), but as you said there is usually one woman they like and they have no problems bashing male characters just as well. It seems less 'directed' somewhat.
And I have no idea where it comes from-internalised sexism/misogyny? Sexual jealousy of strong fictional female characters?
Probably a fatal mix of both. Maybe it´s easier to be jealous of a female character than another male, because it´s closer and then it´s very convenient to fall back on social inherent misogyny to express it. At least that´s how I interpreted some of the Torchwood Gwen-hate. With Merlin I think it´s even more horrible, because the "race" card is pulled and thrown into the mix. Rather disgusting really.
It's disgusting that they hijack gay rights in order to push a sexist agenda. And it's not homophobia-they wouldn't give a rat's arse if, say, there was suddenly a gay relationship between two unattractive male characters. It's all about teh pretty boys!
Ain´t that the truth! It´s probably a bit like a guy watching endlessly lesbian porn saying he does it for feminist reasons...
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branchandroot
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Date: 2009-10-25 11:13 am (UTC)Yes, good point. I particularly remember the slut-calling Buffy received for something I´ve even forgotten.
It seems to me though - but I am not exactly a multi-fandom connoisseur - that het pairings shippers are narrow-minded in their own right and won´t even refrain from homophobic comments (remember "Iz"?), but as you said there is usually one woman they like and they have no problems bashing male characters just as well. It seems less 'directed' somewhat.
And I have no idea where it comes from-internalised sexism/misogyny? Sexual jealousy of strong fictional female characters?
Probably a fatal mix of both. Maybe it´s easier to be jealous of a female character than another male, because it´s closer and then it´s very convenient to fall back on social inherent misogyny to express it. At least that´s how I interpreted some of the Torchwood Gwen-hate. With Merlin I think it´s even more horrible, because the "race" card is pulled and thrown into the mix. Rather disgusting really.
It's disgusting that they hijack gay rights in order to push a sexist agenda. And it's not homophobia-they wouldn't give a rat's arse if, say, there was suddenly a gay relationship between two unattractive male characters. It's all about teh pretty boys!
Ain´t that the truth! It´s probably a bit like a guy watching endlessly lesbian porn saying he does it for feminist reasons...
Very accute observations, my dear. :-) As usual.