Kate's Fan Gender

[dreamer_easy]

I'm a fanboy. Doctor Who is an integral part of my being. I know a huge amount about it - fact and fiction - and can nitpick continuity or argue ratings with the best. I can slap someone down in an argument with facts and logic. I write fanfic which emphasises plot, concept, and background. I met my husband and numerous friends through our shared interest in Who.

I'm a fangirl. I love to squee with others about boys - whether it's my permanent thighsweats for McGann, or my crush of the moment. I'm a dilettante, discovering new texts and fandoms only to move on again, picking up jargon, conventions, and in-jokes along the way. I can defuse an argument with jokes and questions. I write fanfic which emphasises character, relationships, and sexuality. At cons, I'm more interested in socialising than discussing texts.

Discuss.

Comments

[antikythera.livejournal.com]

Ha! That's good...

When the first episode of new Who aired, I said out loud, 'Ooo, they used the classic typeface for the episode titles!'

In retrospect, I call it a fanboy moment. Even though I'm a girl. It's not a 'fangirl' thing to say, or even a 'fannish' thing to say, but distinctly 'fanboy'.

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

Of all the people who've responded, Brenda, I think you're the only one who got what I'm talking about. :-)

(The post was inspired by the occasional clashes between these two approaches to fandom.)

[magslhalliday.livejournal.com]

I got what you meant. I, however, disagree with the notion that there are two binary positions to take: I think as soon as you catagorise something in fandom, it becomes a label - usually used derogatively. C.F. rad/trad, frock/gun. I think using such binary definitions encourages the clash of the approaches rather than enables a debate. Female fans have enough walls to push over in order to escape the ghetto of "female fans" into the main city of "fans" without using gender stereotyping to catagorise responses to the series.

Hence my refusal to be either fanboyish of fangirlish. I am a fan. I respond both fannishly and girlishly to the series. Often simultaneously. Was I tearful at the 'chips' scene in TEotW because a) it had serious emotional intelligence and weight or b) it suggested the EDAs are canon*? Both. At the same time.

*don't even get started on the Faction-induced squeeing over the "Shadow Protocols". And, yes, I'm fairly sure it's co-incidence and not really a nod but authorial intent can get stuffed.

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

I got what you meant. I, however, disagree with the notion that there are two binary positions to take

No, you didn't get what I meant. :-)

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

NB - I got very excited because Brenda absolutely nailed what "fanboy" and "fangirl" are - modes, not genders. That's not to denigrate any of the other responses. I was delighted to see people claiming both modes for themselves, especially since my posting was prompted by a bunch of fanboys slagging off fangirling. :-)