Words

[hypatia42]

Skank. Slutty slutty whore. *thoughtful look* Both of these terms have been used in regards to me, in the past week but also over the past year. By people that love me and generally use them in an endearing tone of voice. Not really sure how to deal with that.

I understand that poly people have been trying to reclaim slut as a positive term. I don't particularly feel one way or the other about it. I just can't feel there is any good connotation of the two above other than the one that is being put into it by the people I know. Not really sure there should be good connotations. Its kinda of a strange place to be. I don't particularly think of myself as either one(*see previous post about other people's perceptions). Also, I don't have issues with it since I *so* don't see myself that way. At what point do I need to step in and say something? I don't even know...

Comments

[triadruid.livejournal.com]

I don't think either of those have been reclaimed to the point where they have positive connotations even within the poly community ("whore" or "slut" by itself, maybe, but not with those adjectives).

Was there context? Is it possible it's an undercurrent of resentment? Either way, I'd pull the speaker aside and explain that it didn't come across as a positive descriptor. And if they can't understand that, strongly consider cutting that person loose from your world.

[hypatia42.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes. See this is where I went with it. Strong possibility in one that the speaker see things in me that she cannot allow herself to have honestly. I don't really know about the other. Me being open about poly and being willing to share that part of myself with people... seems to make people think about what needs they might not be getting met.