General comment

I've always integrated feminism into my writing and my approach to fandom. ALWAYS. I may not have made the best choices, but I've always done it. Some of my early SP fics had a kind of a very mainstream feminist message. When I wrote slash, I made an effort to be accurate, sensitive and non-stereotypical to homosexual men. When I wrote about male-on-male rape, I researched it first and didn't use it for "hot, sexy fun" yay! I made a whole LJ community (semi-successful) dedicated to taking a stand against slash's misogyny. I don't think I was perfect. I think I used to unironically use the word "femnazi" and for that I sincerely apologize. I also think my original story featuring a transperson could be up for criticism under scrutiny.

But I do want to say that never did I feel that this integration of feminism and politics distracted from any "fun" I was having. Nor did I feel that I was forcing myself to do this, and this was cramping my creativity. Feminism is a part of me. That does not mean any act I do is feminist. (Like the "Women writing slash is good because it's women writing!" fallacy. And yes, I have heard the "equal opportunity objectifying" argument. It's still bullshit and will remain bullshit as long as slashers insist that only male/male relationships have true equality and how female characters are inherently inferior to main characters. So don't repeat it.) But I feel that my conscientiousness of these issues made for a better story and a better environment in fandom life overall.

Yes, online fan feminism has taken an angry turn lately. I think there's a few reasons why, and I think that some criticisms made have more merit than others. BUT I'm ... not talking about them right now. I'm talking about me.

I am perhaps a bit angrier than I used to be. Maybe a bit crankier. But I am still a fan. I still LOVE comics and anime and BOOKS and everything I did before. Even when I WANT to be skeptical. I was cranky about the Watchmen trailer. Now I'm bouncing around with possibilities. After the latest League of Extraordinary Gentlemen came out, I had trouble shutting up about it. I went to Iron Man with my face all scrunched up, but ended up cheering on the surprise stinger despite myself.

I like lots of things. I SQUEE over lots of things. But feminism is part of my worldview, and I squee through my worldview the same as I criticize through my worldview.

Thanks for your attention.