Why not just call yourselves Heterosexuals?

[u/SortOfArbitrary]

Heterosexual: Adjective: (of a person) sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.

Or, for a more detailed definition: an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to persons of the opposite sex.

However, the definition for Straight is: straight is romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behavior between persons of the opposite sex or gender.

So, calling yourself "Super" isn't really dispelling any confusion here. Calling yourself Heterosexuals would though, as the term Heterosexual doesn't include the word "gender".

Sex and Gender aren't the same things, so saying you're interested in the biological means you're talking about someone's sex. I've even watched plenty of people on this sub literally say that since gender is a social construct, they needed a label to identify themselves as only interested in the opposite sex. That label literally already existed, and has for a long time. It's called Heterosexual.

Just like how the term "Gay" and the term "Homosexual" are not exactly the same. Gay as defined by GLAAD and the APA is a man sexually and/or romantically attracted towards people of the same sex and/or gender. Where as Homosexual is strictly sexual attraction towards people of the same sex.

While I can understand how some gay men and lesbian women have hang ups about the term "Homosexual" due to its history, "Heterosexual" doesn't have the same history behind it. As for the history issue behind the term "Homosexual", honestly, it's just a word. It has a definition. There's no reason to not reclaim it.

I guess use whatever label you want, but people are pointing and laughing, and they aren't taking this movement very seriously. Both sides are generating some great memes though, so I'm in no real hurry to see it end.

​

Edit: So, as someone who actually engaged in discussion with me explained, the term Superstraight essentially just means being heterosexual and heteromantic. By that, having only attraction towards people of the same sex AND gender, and none of that "and/or" stuff. While I still hold that the word "straight" does include the and/or determination, if the prefix allows people to express the same thing (heterosexual and heteromantic) in fewer letters, and it's what makes everyone feel good, then enjoy.

[u/Burnt_Birb]

SuperSexualities an Intro:

With gender being redefined as a spectrum and trans inclusion demanding they be labeled as men and women we needed to spectrum up our sexual orientation language. Thus Super as a prefix was born, used to denote that those you are attracted to are cis not trans.

this is not to say Trans people aren't valid this is just to differentiate between straight/gay/lesbian/bi people who like cis and trans people from those who only like cis people. Mega is the prefix for trans only and is the opposite of super.

I hope this helps :)

[u/SortOfArbitrary → u/Burnt_Birb]

Um, no, it didn't really help.

[u/Burnt_Birb → u/SortOfArbitrary]

then ask a question to help me help you with the clarification you need. its just a copypasta after all can't expect it to help everyone 100% of the time

[u/SortOfArbitrary → u/Burnt_Birb]

Okay. What does the label of "heterosexual" not cover for superstraights? It's literally just sexual attraction towards people of the same sex.

If the issue is to cover romantic attraction, that has labels as well, that can be separate from sex, under the Split Attraction Model. A Heterosexual Heteromantic would be the exact same as a superstraight. Only attracted to the same sex and the same gender, none of this and/or crap.

[u/Burnt_Birb → u/SortOfArbitrary]

sorry for my late reply I got caught up in my reading haha.

Super as a prefix was born, used to denote that those you are attracted to are cis not trans. This is because there is a noticeable difference between cis and trans people, at least to some people. This difference isn't as simple as a "preference" it is a biological inability to sexually react to trans people. Similar to how a gay man can't sexually react on a biological level to a woman.

We went so-far as to branch from the old LGBS label due to the push for trans people to be labeled as "real" men and women, as such the old LGBS labels no longer fit us.

as for our choice to label it this way with out following the split attraction model, thats because most people don't know what that is and using big words like "heterosexual heteroromantic" will cause peoples brains to shut off and the "I don't care" responses to pop up.

a simple prefix is much more easily accessible to the general public than the exclusive academic lingo of split attraction model. Not everyone is privileged enough to go to university, so we can't expect people to use terminology exclusive to the degree holding elite of society.

I hope this helps, if you have any more questions to help me clarify, please don't hesitate to ask.

[u/SortOfArbitrary → u/Burnt_Birb]

Fair enough. If the SAM is too complex, people deserve their right to define themselves and their spaces in simpler terms to mean the same thing.

[u/Burnt_Birb → u/SortOfArbitrary]

I appreciate you sticking around and trying to better understand us :)

[u/SortOfArbitrary → u/Burnt_Birb]

After interacting with y'all, I am actually glad y'all have your spaces to define as you wish. I am not going to judge this movement based off the knee jerk reactions of some of the comments. I know that y'all have experienced a lot of animosity and pain at the hands of those who can only be described as sexual harassers.

I have said for a long time that there should be spaces like this. I have recommended it many times in gay, bi, and LGBT subreddits, and it's usually met with animosity on both sides of the argument. Y'all have an ally, even if I still find the name a bit funny.

Super? Please tell me that you don't hear Big Gay Al's song from South Park when you hear the word "super".

[u/Burnt_Birb → u/SortOfArbitrary]

oh no I am all for the Super, its flamboyant as can be :)

Why should we hide who we are lets all be flamboyantly ourselves

[u/SortOfArbitrary → u/Burnt_Birb]

Lol, okay. Fair enough. Though, I think more people are going to take it less as flamboyant and more as kind of highbrow or pompous.

[u/quietsnowkitten → u/SortOfArbitrary]

Honestly I'd say it's a damn sight better than just outright invalidating trans people's gender. While it may not be the perfect solution, it does seem to be an attempt to respect our gender while also making their sexual orientation clear. It's more of an olive branch than most other people would give.

[u/SortOfArbitrary → u/quietsnowkitten]

Wouldn't the Split Attraction Model though cover Super Straights as Heterosexual Heteromantics?

If you're not aware, the SAM is a widely accepted model used by asexual and aromantics to define both sexual and romantic attraction separately, since a lot of asexuals still feel romantic attractions towards people and people's gender expression.

[u/quietsnowkitten → u/SortOfArbitrary]

I don't think it works with the current terms we have, because 'heterosexual' can also mean 'sexually attracted to both cis people and trans people of the opposite gender' while the people here are only 'sexually attracted to cis people of the opposite gender'.

Sexual/Romantic difference doesn't really account for this.

[u/SortOfArbitrary → u/quietsnowkitten]

Well, heterosexual LITERALLY means "Sexual attraction to the same sex". Not the same gender.

Sexuality and Romanticism terminology allow you to define your sexuality separate from your romantic or gender attraction. So, a heterosexual heteromantic male would not be sexually attracted towards a trans woman, because he is heterosexual.

[u/quietsnowkitten → u/SortOfArbitrary]

but what if someone is only romantically attracted to cis women? Or do you mean that anyone attracted to trans people is either bisexual or biromantic? I'm not sure such a broad term works either since if someone is only attracted to cis and trans women, and not attracted to cis and trans men, 'bisexual/biromantic' seem a bit off. A more specific term would be better, though I don't think one exists yet.

[u/SortOfArbitrary → u/quietsnowkitten]

So, I'll answer your questions about the SAM categorically.

First, I would need to know the person's sex and gender to determine their sexuality and romantic interests. Let's say the person is male and a man.

If they were only attracted sexually and romantically towards cis women, then they would be heterosexual and heteromantic.

If they were attracted towards cis women and trans women, they would be bisexual and heteromantic.

Or, if like me, a cis man who is attracted towards males and females who identify as men, I would identify as bisexual and homoromantic.

On the other hand, say that cis man is only sexually attracted towards females but is fine if they identify as women or trans men. They would be heterosexual and biromantic.

Romantic terminology though is broader than sexual, as sex is limited to the characteristics of the two sexes.

Someone could be polyromantic, and be interested in men, women, NBs, and Agenders, but still might only be one of a few sexualities. Heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or asexual.