Sebastian Weinberg wrote:
On Mon, 28 Oct 1996, Richard Lawson wrote:
: Personally, I think Ranma has more of a preference for his female form
: than you give him credit for... witness his/her speech at the pools of
: Jusenkyo in the very last story.
Uh, Richard... That was a joke. The speech was just there to set
up the punch line that his plan to change back was foiled again.
Of course, the *might* be some subconscious acceptance in it,
otherwise he wouldn't have thought of reacting in this "what do I
care" way. But it's not *proof* of his acceptance.
I know it was a joke. My interpretation of it, though, is that it
contained an element of truth in it. After all, that was sort of the
point of the whole series, an effort by RT to have us re-examine sexism
and gender identity.
: > Outside looks don't change the inside person. Someone of the same sex
: > liking you/lusting after you won't make you change, either, however
: > nice they are towards you ... It's just not something that happens,
: > in anything that I've encountered or heard of.
:
: Well, how many people do you know have gone through an involuntary sex
: reassignment? :) This is all hypothetical, of course, since this just
: won't ever happen in the real world. Ranma's change just isn't
: physical, it's biochemical, right down to the ability to give birth.
: It's something we can't even begin to imagine.
Ah, but the sexual preference is not biochemically generated. The
hormones do not hold a picture of *what* is desirable, they just
signal arousal *itself*.
That wasn't what I meant. I meant from a more psychological
viewpoint... if you become the opposite sex right down to the level of
your chromosones, and such a change was apparently irreversible, it
*might* have an effect on your identity. I think the effect would be
more profound then if someone were to force you to have a sex-change
operation.
Again, it's all hypothetical, since it's not something that will ever
happen.
: I sort of wrote it from my perspective, too. I am heterosexual, very
: much so. Although I have no problems with someone choosing
: homosexuality as a lifestyle, personally it's something I could never do
: myself. However, if I was put in Ranma's situation, I *could* imagine
: myself making the adjustments he did. Maybe I'm a weird hentai. :)
The term "*choosing* a homosexual lifestyle" always angered me. Do
you really think that somebody sits down and says "Oh, from now on
I'll belong to one of the most discriminated minorities there is,
risking bodily harm and prosecution in large parts of the so-called
free world" ? This kind of statement plays *directly* into the
hands of the people who blame homosexuals for their orientation, as
if they were "that way" with evil intention.
You are absolutely right, my choice of words was poor. When I wrote
that sentence, alarm bells went off but I ignored them, much to my
regret. I'm usually a lot more careful with my speech, especially since
I preach a gospel that argues against homophobia, among other things.
Gomen nasai.
: I've always thought of Genma as being quite sexist (Ranma is, too). If
: the heir to the Saotome School were to become a woman full time, I could
: imagine it affecting Genma quite strongly.
:
: Akane would *not* be able to marry a woman. Your points above, about
: changing sexual preferences, apply to Akane. She just wouldn't be able
: to do it, I think, and their relationship would change.
In fact, I think that Akane would be a lot more supportive
*because* they couldn't realistically be expected to marry anymore.
Without the dreaded engagement hanging over their heads, I think
she would more likely turn *towards* Ranma than away (not sexually,
mind).
In my story, Akane wants to be friends. It's Ranma who can't accept
that (at least not now) because she's still too hung up over Akane.
Sebastian (Oh, Richard? - E), too. *BAP*!!)
Hehe. Do you have any reaction to the story itself? I didn't see one,
and I'd sure love your opinion.