We all must venture beyond our comfort zones...

[kelleigh]

I'm always thrown for a loop when I'm reminded of the fact that there's a large portion of the Supernatural fanbase who 1) doesn't know what slash fiction is (be it Sam/Dean or J2 or any other pairing) or 2) find it revolting.

I was reminded tonight by a comment thread on a photo posted by a Supernatural Facebook group that I follow (that has annoyed me in the past because the maintainers throw so many of their personal opinions and details out there) where a piece of fan-art was featured that could have been slashy. Beyond the fact that they didn't even bother to link to the original artist's page/DA account, there was a discussion where someone brought up the fact that the picture was slightly sexual. One of the mods explained that it could be slashy, whereas the other said: "Slash is only good to some people and it's something we've never promoted or let people post on this page. Personally, I hate it." Subsequent comments predictably contained users' disgust with the idea, especially when it came to Wincest (because, you know, that's obviously the only slash pairing possible on SPN, and ALL SLASH must be condemned because it's probably incest. JEEZ.)

[But of course, they'll promote (and create entire galleries for) the mods' own fic and banners.]

I guess it's good to be reminded that in this corner of fandom (possibly the best corner!), we're not judged by one another so harshly, and our love for SPN and the actors is just as genuine as anyone else's. And because we have something linking us together that goes beyond superficial enjoyment of a television show, we're probably one of the strongest corners, too.

So basically, THANKS FOR BEING AWESOME, Y'ALL. And YAY slashy boysex (and girl sex!) \o/

Comments

[gypsy-atavari.livejournal.com]

I think I can count on one hand the people in my life who know that I read fanfic. Of those who do know, one knows that I've read Wincest and slash, and that I have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the writing in this fandom. We even got into a whole discussion about what makes a good fanfic etc. I think I felt comfortable sort of coming out to her in a way because she was in Buffy fandom once upon a time.

I guess being that Supernatural is my first fandom I am very aware that there's actually a bunch of people out there who are in fandom in varying ways - or even not at all. The judgement still surprises me though because as I mentioned to that friend - sure in many ways it's hot (goodness is it ever!), but it's always the story that gets me most and I can't deny the multitude of talented folks in this corner producing these stellar stories.

Luckily I think I am just in this corner of fandom where we're all a little bit more accepting of each other's quirks so I hardly run into the truly offensive stereotyping and comments.

[kelleigh.livejournal.com]

I've actually told a few of the guys I've dated, and it went over better than I thought. The most recent actually brought up Lex/Clark from Smallville as an example (he liked to read all things meta), and he was fine with me writing J2 (never brought up the Wincest, heh). Another guy thought it meant I wanted to see him have sex with a guy, so just, NO. Funny though, it's easier for me to bring this up to guys than it is with my RL girl friends. I wonder what that says...huh.

It is crazy to think that we're just a part of the SPN fandom, and people ARE involved (or mostly uninvolved) in so many different ways (some of which I probably wouldn't approve of, like celebrity stalking). But I'm so glad I'm in *this* corner, you have no idea :P

[gypsy-atavari.livejournal.com]

*clings to you* glad we're in the same corner. :-)