Gender bending

What Aviendha (Ben) wrote in his thread (here) and the responses to it got me thinking...

Why do we roleplay, both in games and RL, a different gender? Are we just 'trying it out' or expressing something that we couldn't say any other way?

Why is it that people who cross-gender post seem so popular in their perceived persona? I've seen several people who have done this in different forums, and each was perceived as very desirable / respectable in their cross-gendered role. Is it the masculinity and femininity balance that we are attracted to? i.e. "She/He really understands guys/girls"?

I think there's more than one reason for each consideration, but I think a large part of it is people finding a 'safe' way to explore what they aren't allowed to in society at large.

I'm curious what you all think about this...

[Neb]

Well, I think that you're on to something with the "he/she really understands girls/guys" thing. Hard to explain why, though, when I've thought it through a bit I'll post something intelligent on the subject.

Personally I don't think that I've ever tried roleplaying another gender even in an RPG.

The reason I have a Female character in D&D wether PnP or CRPG is because the character was my first ever and in my first AD&D game (PnP) The DM suckered me into putting on a magical belt...I ended up with a female [img]smile.gif[/img] Other than that I have no other female chars...some times you just play the hand your dealt

Being my first character, Im somewhat attached to him/her

[ 07-18-2002, 11:55 AM: Message edited by: MagiK ]

[AzureWolf]

I dont really think about it, I usually just randomly chose either one when I start a new RPG.

[johnny]

First of all, Aviendha IS a very respectable person, no matter what gender. I myself only take male characters when i'm rollplaying. Don't know why though, must be some kind of macho thing.

Originally posted by johnny: First of all, Aviendha IS a very respectable person, no matter what gender.

Absolutely agree with you.

[Neb]

Originally posted by Absynthe: quote: Originally posted by johnny: First of all, Aviendha IS a very respectable person, no matter what gender.

Absolutely agree with you.[/QUOTE]But what does it have to do with this discussion? [img]tongue.gif[/img] I agree, though. Aviendha's cool.

[Ar-Cunin]

Can't answer that one - I only play male characters

Perhaps it means that I'm not in touch with my female side

[The Hunter of Jahanna]

If you live in an area where gender hacking is frowned upon by the majority, then for some people ,roleplaying the opposite gender might be the only release.If you feel like a man trapped in a womans body then playing an RPG as a male character might give you a feel for what it might be like trying out a diffrent gender. THis way a person can explore a gender from the safety of a "game" and not be subjected to the judgemental attitudes of society at large. No one calls you "fag" or "dyke" because your playing a character of the opposite gender. Try getting that same level of respect on a city street if you try it for real.

Originally posted by The Hunter of Jahanna: If you live in an area where gender hacking is frowned upon by the majority, then for some people ,roleplaying the opposite gender might be the only release.If you feel like a man trapped in a womans body then playing an RPG as a male character might give you a feel for what it might be like trying out a diffrent gender. THis way a person can explore a gender from the safety of a "game" and not be subjected to the judgemental attitudes of society at large. No one calls you "fag" or "dyke" because your playing a character of the opposite gender. Try getting that same level of respect on a city street if you try it for real.

But can you really explore it that well in an RPG?
I don’t know, since I’ve only ever played male characters,
But I should think you need a really good D.M.
And you need to tread lots of psychology books as well, and biology books as well and everything.

[ 07-18-2002, 04:44 PM: Message edited by: Dramnek_Ulk ]