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auronlu"I never understood why people liked pairing characters of the same gender together, or what gave people the idea that two characters were possibly in a romantic relationship—for any game, not just Final Fantasy XIII. I never personally tried to understand this because mentally, I could not imagine two characters of the same gender in a romantic relationship."
— well-intentioned, generally insightful commenter whom I really like.
The context: Dunquixote had a good write-up of first impressions about FFXIII. In response, among other things, I asked about how DQ saw the Fang/Vanille relationship. I should be able to accept differing interpretations.
However, "I can't imagine two characters of the same gender in a romantic relationship" seems a little different to me than "No, despite the hints, I don't think the game made it explicit what their relationship is."
I don't know how to respond tactfully. It's very important that I do respond tactfully, because this may be a moment for a little gentle consciousness-raising.
Except I can't, because I'm irked.
/frustrated
— well-intentioned, generally insightful commenter whom I really like.
The context: Dunquixote had a good write-up of first impressions about FFXIII. In response, among other things, I asked about how DQ saw the Fang/Vanille relationship. I should be able to accept differing interpretations.
However, "I can't imagine two characters of the same gender in a romantic relationship" seems a little different to me than "No, despite the hints, I don't think the game made it explicit what their relationship is."
I don't know how to respond tactfully. It's very important that I do respond tactfully, because this may be a moment for a little gentle consciousness-raising.
Except I can't, because I'm irked.
/frustrated
no subject
Date: 2013-09-06 09:36 pm (UTC)In general, I think people like to pair characters of the same gender because a) it explores different relationship dynamics than the same-old-same-old straight relationships by breaking away from gender roles (or by exploring the problematics of gender roles in a relationship where the characters' self-identified gender may conflict with the gender role portrayed), b) it's still rather taboo, especially in videogames, to depict characters of the same gender in a relationship, or c) related to b, queer people want some way to see some of themselves in their media of choice. (Also d) there is a perception that the sexytimes are just more interesting to write than one's bog-standard het romance novel.)
I am unsure whether you mean that you could never imagine *any* characters in *any* media being in same-gender relationships, or that you just can't imagine any of the characters *in this particular game* being in same-gender relationships. Could you explain a little more here? For context as to why I'm asking, I am myself queer, and so I'm concerned about the former possibility.
no subject
Date: 2013-09-06 10:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-09-06 11:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-09-06 11:09 pm (UTC)This isn't a case of poor understanding only, it's poor understanding that comes out of homophobia and a homophobic culture.
no subject
Date: 2013-09-06 11:23 pm (UTC)(I always feel a little sheepish, since I've still got the other side of my bi brain, and here it is, right here, and you have to deal with it! That was part of the reason I partitioned off my FF fandom in a separate account in the first place, so that my hetero stuff would be Over There. But...as time goes on, I get tired of it too and crave the f/f crumbs where I can find them.)
Speaking of which...
The Utena visual quotes in this game were pretty danged blatant.
no subject
Date: 2013-09-11 02:31 pm (UTC)Huh, I read that post and I just read them as male. I'm not sure why. I usually don't ascribe a gender without strong indicators.