Laurel is considering a bisexual category!

[Stella_Omega]

so-- let's get some input!

Hi Stella,

This is something we've thought about. The problem with a Bisexual category is that readers who want to read about bisexual women have absolutely no interest in reading about bisexual men, and vice versa.

The alternative is to create separate Bisexual Male and Bisexual Female categories. The problem with this is placement. If a story has a bisexual woman having sex with another woman, does it go in Bisexual Female or Lesbian? If she's having sex with a man only, does it go in Bisexual Female or EC (or another pertinent category)? If she's having sex with both, why place it in Bisexual Female instead of Group?]

Any input on this would be welcome. If you want to share this PM with the forum for discussion, that's cool.

Laurel

My feeling is that this is, after all, a porn board, and the categories are about sexual action, not about sexual identity. So if the woman is having sex with a woman, it goes into lesbian-- if there's a man as well it becomes bisexual, because that's the action. And sometimes there are two women AND two men. Three men, even!

As we know, most of the readers here don't mind reading about two women getting it on in group sex-- it's reading about two men that drives the homophobic readers apeshit. Many writers have stories they won't post here because of that horrible reaction.

I think lit could simply create a bisexual category, period. Let folk use the tags to differentiate. Tags are fabulous things.

What do you think?

 

[Darkniciad]

I don't think it will be all that confusing for readers. Odds are that it will trend toward bisexual males, since that's where the biggest problem is. Few bat an eyelash at bisexual females in group sex, but have two guys within touching distance of each other and watch out!

So, what you're going to end up with is a readership that's expecting bi-male after the break-in period, because it provides an outlet for authors who have been holding back all those stories due to hostile responses.

Whether the category diversifies will depend upon whether bi female stories can gain traction there that equals or outperforms other categories, where they're already received without much trouble.

The category is needed for bi-male stories at the very least, and should be created ASAP IMO... LOL

When it comes down to a choice between group and bi-sexual, lean toward bi-sexual with bi-male stories, and let the author decide on bi-female stories. The bi-male authors will probably find that they appreciate any category changes to the bi category, where they probably won't receive nearly as many hateful responses.

Simple enough.

 

[Cruel2BKind]

woohoo!

I'm for it.

 

[lovecraft68]

I agree with one category and the author just needs to tag it correctly. Call out bi-man/bi-woman aspects.

Then all should be well. Let's face it, its mostly the bi-men that are the issue, girl/girl action is usually tolerated in any category.

 

[Cruel2BKind]

I agree with one category and the author just needs to tag it correctly. Call out bi-man/bi-woman aspects.

Then all should be well. Let's face it, its mostly the bi-men that are the issue, girl/girl action is usually tolerated in any category.

I think it would be great for people who want to read specific girl-on-girl action too. A lot of people get pissed when (to steal an expression from safe_bet) they get man-chocolate in their lesbian peanut butter.

This will be good for separating the two.

 

[sr71plt]

I've done an MMF for the Nude Day contest--MF is emphasized more than MMF in it. I'll just submit it to "Group," as I don't see any place better for it (so any form of Bisexual category would be good).

 

[laceNlthrgrrl]

I'm a long-time reader but a new-ish and occasional poster. I like the idea of the category and the use of sensible tagging. I wish there was a way to knock readers on the head with a great big club of caveat emptor, but tags will just have to do.

 

[PennLady]

I think lit could simply create a bisexual category, period. Let folk use the tags to differentiate. Tags are fabulous things.

What do you think?

I'm all for the new category. My problem with the tags are they are not easily visible. I know a lot of people search on tags and go to portals and all of that for stories. I don't; I click on the new pages, or maybe a category, and so all I get is the title and tagline. If the tags were at the top of the story, or presented with the title and tagline, they'd be more useful. But right now, down on the lower right of a story as they are, I don't find them of much use. It's a funny thing, b/c it's not a big deal to scroll down and look at them, but I think a lot of people don't want to do that. They want all the info up front so that they can decide to read or not.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I'm all for the new category. My problem with the tags are they are not easily visible. I know a lot of people search on tags and go to portals and all of that for stories. I don't; I click on the new pages, or maybe a category, and so all I get is the title and tagline. If the tags were at the top of the story, or presented with the title and tagline, they'd be more useful. But right now, down on the lower right of a story as they are, I don't find them of much use. It's a funny thing, b/c it's not a big deal to scroll down and look at them, but I think a lot of people don't want to do that. They want all the info up front so that they can decide to read or not.

I agree. When I design websites, I encourage the user to use tags, and I set them somewhere very visible. (hint hint, Manu)

 

[litfan10]

I'm all for it. Society uses LGBT as a concept so each as a category makes sense. Generally, more distinctions are better than less in a library so that certainly makes sense here. If it comes to be I'll give it a whirl as a writer.

 

[Hubs_in_hose]

I agree with one category and the author just needs to tag it correctly. Call out bi-man/bi-woman aspects.

I agree with this and the tag can be used in the group category as well

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Hell, I'll write for bi-male. I've already got one in my A Treat Turns Tricks series. I wouldn't have any problem writing more stories about Mordecai. It all fits into my ideal of omnigamous marriage pods, as well. Admittedly it would be a very unusual guy who would appeal to me but, hey, this is fantasy.

 

[Hubs_in_hose]

I don't have any problem with bi-male stories. I believe that pleasure is pleasure. If two women can pleasure each other why can't two men?

 

[glynndah]

I can't see myself writing in this cat, but having it available seems like an idea whose time has come.

 

[jomar]

I vote yes to a Bisexual category. Bisex readers would assume just that...bisexual stuff going on.

 

[HeyAll]

I've always felt that if Lit was to ever add a new category, it should be with scary stories.

Sure, there are sections for "erotic horror" and "sci fi", but those sections suggest that either sex is needed, or it has to be futuristic.

If there was a section of strictly scary stories (ghosts, monsters, ect...) it could really encourage some new stuff from writers as well as potentially bringing in new readers. Plus it would make the Halloween contests a lot more interesting.

 

[sr71plt]

I've always felt that if Lit was to ever add a new category, it should be with scary stories.

Well sure, add another one on a category that already exists rather than a major one that doesn't.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I've always felt that if Lit was to ever add a new category, it should be with scary stories.

Sure, there are sections for "erotic horror" and "sci fi", but those sections suggest that either sex is needed, or it has to be futuristic.

If there was a section of strictly scary stories (ghosts, monsters, ect...) it could really encourage some new stuff from writers as well as potentially bringing in new readers. Plus it would make the Halloween contests a lot more interesting.

Thing is though, it's an erotica site.

 

[lovecraft68]

I've always felt that if Lit was to ever add a new category, it should be with scary stories.

Sure, there are sections for "erotic horror" and "sci fi", but those sections suggest that either sex is needed, or it has to be futuristic.

If there was a section of strictly scary stories (ghosts, monsters, ect...) it could really encourage some new stuff from writers as well as potentially bringing in new readers. Plus it would make the Halloween contests a lot more interesting.

Kind of think Erotic Horror covers that. Some of the NH stuff is a bit dark as well.

As for anyone who wanted to write straight up horror, there is a non erotic category it could go in.

 

[lovecraft68]

Personally a Bi category would hold no interest for me.

But it has been brought up time and again by authors frustrated with the current limitations and any added category is bound to bring new readers so I would be all for it.

 

[Darkniciad]

As Stella said, this is an erotic site.

But where do you get that the sci-fi & fantasy category needs to be futuristic?

Between non-human, erotic horror, and sci-fi & fantasy, the needs of scary stories are met. The readers of non-human and sci-fi & fantasy are also quite tolerant of no-sex and sex-lite stories.

 

[ottohauser1977]

Could have used this when I submitted the latest chapter of "What A MILF"...which has both bisexual men and women in both gay, lesbian, and straight action. I put it in "Group Sex" I think, but it could end up in Incest/Taboo because of the brother/sister stuff.

Let the expressions of outrage begin from all trolls....no doubt full of homophobic tomfoolery.

Anyway, if Laurel does this, I will post future chapters there to cover my bases. And she'll have my eternal gratitude.

 

[jomar]

...
As for anyone who wanted to write straight up horror, there is a non erotic category it could go in.

That's what I did.

 

[Safe_Bet]

I think it would be great for people who want to read specific girl-on-girl action too. A lot of people get pissed when (to steal an expression from safe_bet) they get man-chocolate in their lesbian peanut butter.

This will be good for separating the two.

EX-freakin-ACTLY!!!!

I also disagree with Stella. Lesbian ESPECIALLY is more than just the sexual act. Far as I'm concerned if a female character in a story is even married to a dude, regardless if a the action is FF, then it's bi sex because the chick will eventually go back to her old man. That's WAY too much man-chocolate for me (and is why many lesbians dislike bisexual chicks in RL. We sure as fuck don't want it in our stories!).

 

[estragon]

Clearly there are writers who want the category and would post to it. It does no harm to add it. I'm all for specificity, so that the reader knows what s/he is getting. I agree with SA Penn Lady--tell the reader as much as reasonably possible as soon as possible. And give the reader the maximum scope for choosing what sings to him/her.

Damn, I wish there were an inclusive third person personal pronoun! "S/he" and "him/her" are so damn clumsy.