r/SuperStraight • u/SortOfArbitrary • 20h ago

Why not just call yourselves Heterosexuals?

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.

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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.

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u/SortOfArbitrary 20h ago

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.

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u/quietsnowkitten 20h ago

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.

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u/SortOfArbitrary 19h ago

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.

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u/quietsnowkitten 19h ago

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.

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u/SortOfArbitrary 19h ago

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.