Urgent advice needed please...

Discussion in 'General discussion' started by Sinderlocke, Mar 22, 2012.

  1. Sinderlocke

    Sinderlocke I am Queen SaucyBuns

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    I’m sorry to bring this up, everypony, and I hope nopony is offended by this post, as I would never mean to offend such a peaceful, kind community like ‘Everypony’.
    However, the YouTube community ‘My little Pony, Friendship is Magic’ supporters seem to be rather reclusive and restrictive on my rights as a fellow moral and female follower of Friendship is Magic.
    To some, the show is just a show with pretty colours and eccentric little ponies…but to me, they are the most wonderfully constructed bunch of characters that actually are a more than formidable portrayal of Kindness, Loyalty, Honesty, Generosity, Laughter and magic. I have adored My little Pony since I was a child, but FIM restored my faith and confidence in the community. They portray an ideal sense of supportive moral structure, and has bought out a wonderful side to many people. Surely, one of the messages that the Mane 6 and everypony else teaches us is that we shouldn’t change ourselves for anyone, and that we should express ourselves as long as it brings no harm to anypony.

    So, here’s the actual complaint; Some of the Bronies on YouTube complained that I can’t call myself a ‘Brony’ because I am female, and that my appropriate term in ‘Pegasister’…I know I have chosen to be affiliated with Pegasus’ ponies as a preference, but what about the many other Unicorn and Earth Mares??? Why should they be restricted to the shackles of generalisation like that? We shouldn’t have terms that separate us from everypony else because we’re female, right? I’m a very ‘Alternative’ person. I have been called many spiteful names before and I have been physically attacked many times over my make up and dress sense, but the most horrible thing I have ever experienced is being hounded into the shadows of stereotype; Goth and Emo usually came with insult and abuse, but I didn’t understand why other people had purposely chosen to lump me together with a large group of people when I would never label myself. They would make assumptions about who I am and then treat me like dirt because of it. That’s why I got so offended when the YouTube Bronies denied my reasoning.

    I then tried to light heartedly joke and said I’d prefer ‘Hoenies’ as a term, to which someone replied almost instantly that it implies I’m a *squee!* because of other girls taking that name and turning it stereotypical by acting quite explicitly in a sexual way or acting not how a lot of female ponies would act, I’d imagine. I thought Friendship is Magic taught our community that we shouldn’t judge other ponies by their appearance, and should respect their wishes with being who they want to be rather than taking away our individuality and not letting us express our own feelings. I’m not a very feminine girl, and I have always had male idols to look up to, such as my father and older brothers, and I presently have days where I hang out with a whole bunch of guys and get along splendidly with them. So it makes me sad that I can’t be accepted as ‘Brony’. Surely, you wouldn’t deny the right of a transgendered individual to express themselves with whatever gender they prefer? I thought our society was a little more diverse and tolerant?

    Again, I’m sorry, guys. I know most of you aren’t like this. I would just like some advice and opinion towards this teeny little incident, but please do tell me how you’re feeling! In the UK, I’ve just awoken at almost 12:00 in the afternoon! :D But other than this, I feel happy to be contributing…I just which it wasn’t a complaint against our own!

    Love and Tolerance! That’s what we’re all about! :)
     
    #1 Sinderlocke, Mar 22, 2012
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2012
  2. 51m0nn

    51m0nn Site Entomologist

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    The term Brony is not meant for males only. it can be for females too. I wouldn't pay any mind to it, everyone is a brony to me. We are all friends and that is what matters. ;)

    because what is the point of bickering over something so small?

    That is my view on the whole deal. I hope I helped :)
     
  3. Sinderlocke

    Sinderlocke I am Queen SaucyBuns

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    I knew that a lot of the others will understand and accept it. I just wish there wasn't so much hostility towards it in some areas. :) But thank you very much! Big hugs for you! *HUG*
     
  4. Miggy

    Miggy INFOX

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    Just ignore them is all I can say, and do. You'll get te odd benign idiot who tries to put a downer on whatever it may be. Anyway, the folk on here are more then accepting as to what you prefer to go by.
     
  5. Zephyr

    Zephyr Retired Team Member

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    Exactly this.
    It's a unisex term so use it how you see fit.
    I guess the best example of something similar would be the word 'dude'. While dude is a seemingly masculine term, it's often used to address both ends of the gender spectrum. Although some might prefer 'dudette', the female alternative, many prefer the original term irregardless of sex.
     
    #5 Zephyr, Mar 22, 2012
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2012
  6. Sinderlocke

    Sinderlocke I am Queen SaucyBuns

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    Aww, well thank you very much. :) I knew that the kindness of the people here would help me feel less concerned about something so silly~

    See, even Ponyette sounds far more broad than Pegasister. In fact it's quite cute, but I've always felt at my most confident calling myself a Brony. I had no idea that the minority would pick such a fuss over it based on gender! But thank you nonetheless, I'm glad everyone so far has supported me and accepted my wishes! It is truly wonderful of you~ :)
     
    #6 Sinderlocke, Mar 22, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 22, 2012
  7. Yamiookami

    Yamiookami EP's Resident Yami

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    Don't let them bother you. Brony is widely accepted as unisex by now. If they're gonna be such sticklers over a mundane, unimportant detail like what you prefer to call yourself, then I can see a few things being the case as far as they're concerned.

    1. They're not true bronies and only "like" it for the irony of it. It's certainly possible, but I tend to try not to think this way, as that train of thought can lead to exclusionary behavior (who am I to say what "true" entails?).
    2. They haven't truly taken to heart the lessons the show and community teach us yet, or treat it just as a show. A perfectly legitimate thing to do, as it is just a show, though it speaks to the hearts of some more than others. If this is the case, well, I suppose not much can be done. Let them think as they wish. What matters is what you think, and if they disagree, well, that's okay too, even if they are being silly about it.

    [​IMG]

    3. Maybe they're just having an off day like we all do and had a momentary lapse when it comes to acceptance and inclusion. It happens to me from time to time as well, but I'm improving bit by bit. I like to think this is the case, but am also aware that may be foolishly optimistic. It's more likely they're your standard fare YouTube trolls, but that's no where near as fun to think about.

    So, let them be them, and let you be you. They only have the power to upset or annoy you if you let them; a lesson, admittedly, I never truly learned until I got involved with this community (a month ago xD). I don't know if this is helpful, but it's my two cents on the matter.
     
  8. B-Dog1996

    B-Dog1996 Princess of the Forum

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    Bro is a gender-neutral term, like guys. Some bronies forget/don't know this or like to keep males and females separate. I don't see the point in it. We all enjoy the show so we should be focusing on that rather than our genders. We don't call white and black bronies different names, so why should gender be any different?
     
  9. Echoax

    Echoax Greed Probably
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    We had a thread a few weeks ago about something like this. I now chose to call myself "pixel hope the first male Pegasister" rolls right off the tongue.

    I jest. But brony is gender neutral name, they should just shut up and move on.
     
  10. Aynine

    Aynine Angel of Maledict Fortune

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    Most females don't even like the term pegasister. It's weird. The only people who really nitpick over things like this are a bit too fanatical, imo.
     
  11. Cloudy Bounce

    Cloudy Bounce A Pony Every Pony Should Know

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    I've dealt with this before. People saying that I'm not a brony, I'm a pegasister. I just ignore them and say that I choose to call myself a brony.

    Besides, as women on the internet... we don't exist anyway, right? I dealt with that on Livestream/Skype just yesterday, and it sucks because it actually does hurt my feelings a little. It's usually said in jest, but I HATE being told "Haha, there are no girls on the internet." No. You're not funny. There are girls on the internet, and we're all tired of your lame jokes about it. And then I always have to deal with people thinking I'm trans or something because I sound like a dude. Makes me feel really good about myself after that =/ The person on Skype (and it's actually a member of this forum!) actually called me IT. First he called me 'he' a few times, then... it. I just try to turn it around into a joke and say that if it weren't for the in-door plumbing, I pretty much would be a dude. But still. It sucks and makes me feel bad about myself. Like /I/ did something wrong by being female, and by having a deep voice.

    Anyway, back on topic. There are always going to be people who will latch onto anything that will stir the waters. It's like that Winston Churchill (I think it was him anyway) quote. "When you're going through hell, keep going." Just walk on by and keep your head up. You're a brony, my dear, through and through. I'm like you. I watched MLP as a child, and now I watch FIM as an adult. And I love it. =)
     
  12. Yamiookami

    Yamiookami EP's Resident Yami

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    *Mind cranking*

    Pinkie Pie = Not real
    Women in Internet = Not real
    Cloudy Bounce = Pinkie Pieish personality
    Cloudy Bounce = Woman

    Therefore

    Cloudy Bounce = Not real

    And ergo

    Cloudy Bounce = Pinkie Pie

    I've been talking to Pinkie this whole time! No wonder I've been so happy!

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Cloudy Bounce

    Cloudy Bounce A Pony Every Pony Should Know

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    You have found my secret! =O
     
  14. Sparkypony

    Sparkypony Antisocial ponyality disorder

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    I KNEW IT!!!They said i was crazy!BUT I WAS RIGHT!!

    PINKIE PIE HAS KILLED THE FOURTH WALL!!!AND COME INTO OUR WORLD!!!
     
  15. Prince Darkmoon

    Prince Darkmoon Philosopher and Pony Lover

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    Mind blown.
    :grin:
     
  16. B-Dog1996

    B-Dog1996 Princess of the Forum

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    [​IMG]
     
  17. Anonymous Brony

    Anonymous Brony Bearded Welshman

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    B-Dog is right.
     
  18. Yamiookami

    Yamiookami EP's Resident Yami

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    Oddly enough, several of the women in my family get a bit offended when I include them when I say "you guys." They're adamant about it being a gender-specific term and insist on using... *Shudder* "y'all"...to refer to multiple persons. Some people, I guess.

    I dislike southern idioms for the most part. ._. I've worked hard all my life to escape toalking like that, and have thankfully been successful.
     
  19. Frost

    Frost Would You Kindly?

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    Well, unless you live under a dictatorship you probably have a rather unique thing called "freedom."


    Meaning you can call yourself whatever the heck you want to.



    I wouldn't pay any attention to anyone who says otherwise. Even if you're wrong, you're still right if you believe it.
     
  20. mike406

    mike406 Moderator
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    You most certainly are accepted as a Brony, don't let others bother you. It's YouTube comments, and most of them come from people who like using their (pardon my lack of a better term) "internet balls" and troll people. The term started out with the definition being exclusively male fans because females were considered "normal fans." Since older teen girls and adult women aren't in the target demographic, the term has evolved to include females as well. You actually get the benefit of using either brony or pegasister depending on your preference. For those who say otherwise; either they are unaware of brony becoming gender-neutral, or they personally feel that brony is a male-exclusive term (which doesn't make it right for them to call you out on it). I personally see Brony as a genderless term. It's a nice simple way to recognize other fans. And besides, those who are insulting you can't even be called real bronies anyway.:smile:
     

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