I love Moon Knight not for what he does but instead for what he represents.
Comics have always allowed people to find a safe space or someone to relate too and I think it’s important to have characters like Moon Knight. Moon Knight’s lore is a tad bit odd, there is no one true answer. What does that mean? We, as the reader, don’t know what is or isn’t true. Moon Knight is not a reliable narrator and no one’s even sure if he does see Kohnshu or if he’s just schizophrenic.
Having a character like that isn’t just entertaining, it can allow his writers to go into more depth on the mental issues or show different aspects of the character without the same hard limits as other characters. For instance, a new writer for Batman can’t just decide one day that he’s going to be friendly while in hero costume. But with Moon Knight? You’ve got a ton of leeway. Though his comics, from what I’ve seen, tend to have a darker tone in them.
I think his character, struggles, and possible mental issues are going to lead to many interesting characterizations and events for people to play around with!
(Full Transparency — This post will be updated in the future as it may be lackluster and short sited in some of the ideas!)
ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛᴇʀᴍꜱ;
-A microlabel is a label for some form of gender identity or sexual orientation that falls under, or otherwise overlaps with, a broader term. Microlabels tend to be described as "hyperspecific", meaning that they describe a very specific experience of a gender/sexuality/etc.
-An umbrella term is a word or a phrase that covers a broad range of related things instead of just one.
ᴅᴇꜰɪɴᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɢʙᴛQ+ ᴡɪᴋɪ
ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴏʀ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ᴍɪᴄʀᴏʟᴀʙᴇʟ
In the LGBTQIA+ community, we tend to debate the validity of micro labels but forget what they actually are. A micro label isn’t just an unknown label someone made up, in fact it’s also some of the most well known sexualities and gender identities. The best way to tell the lines is through the beginning of the acronym we use to reference the community.
ʟ - ʟᴇꜱʙɪᴀɴ
of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to other women or between women
ɢ - ɢᴀʏ
of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to people of one's same sex.
often used to refer to men only
ʙ - ʙɪꜱᴇxᴜᴀʟ
relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to people of one's same sex and of the opposite sex
ᴛ - ᴛʀᴀɴꜱɢᴇɴᴅᴇʀ
of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity differs from the sex the person was identified as having at birth
Q - Qᴜᴇᴇʀ
of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction that is not limited to people of a particular gender identity or sexual orientation
ɪ - ɪɴᴛᴇʀꜱᴇx
an individual having the condition of intersexuality
ᴀ - ᴀꜱᴘᴇᴄᴛʀᴜᴍ
little to no sexual or romantic attraction
Now, with or without your sexuality or gender identity being in the big label doesn’t define whether it is or is not valid. The big label is mostly to show the umbrella terms things can sit under whilst the “+” is used to represent the micro labels that people may be part of less because of the hyper specific nature.
To return to the original point, look back up at the terms. What do you notice? Well, some of those definitions happen to match the definitions of other sexualities or gender identifies minus minor differences.
To give example, Bisexual is broad so it fits over top of Pansexual, Omnisexual, Berrisexual, Almondsexual, and similar identities. Each of these are the attraction to all genders but with different defining factors. Like how Omnisexual is the liking of both gender with preference and Berrisexual has the same concept but differs when it comes to the amount of attraction. Berrisexual people like ladies or feminine people so much more than to men or masculinity meaning it can be extremely rare. They still can like men or masculinity but it’s just not a common occurrence and may, in fact, only happen once.
Micro labels, in my personal belief and understanding, are used to find like minded people. Bisexual people can be quite crude to those who do not share the same type of attraction to both genders as they do. So many find solace and belonging in micro labels or smaller communities.
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, you may have experienced the kind of sexuality or gender elitism that pushes people out and makes them feel alienated. The LGBTQ+ is supposed to be for belonging, community, strength in each other but we can see the cracks for when people don’t fit perfectly. Micro labels are the glue that fills those cracks.
ᴀʀᴇ ᴍɪᴄʀᴏ ʟᴀʙᴇʟꜱ ᴠᴀʟɪᴅ? ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴇxɪꜱᴛ ᴀᴛ ᴀʟʟ?
Realistically it only makes sense that micro labels exist. People like to find those who are like minded to help validate the way they feel on the inside. It’s human nature to want people to understand you. So yes, micro labels are extremely valid!
Now, should they exist? I know, I know, I just said they were valid. So wouldn’t my answer be the same for this? Sort of. The real question people mean when they say, “Should these labels even exist?” Is simply, “Why should they exist if they’re weak against people who we already struggle to make understand us?”
It’s never been about what is or isn’t a micro label. It’s always been about ignorance, elitism, or fighting against homophobes and transphobes. An example that may help bring this together is when you’re fighting a battle. You know that you have soldiers that can withstand any attack because of their numbers but you also know you have archers who hold a smaller number and can’t defend themselves up close to others. If the other side of this fight, in this case homophobes and transphobes, get close to storming the community it’s common to have people feel it appropriate to sacrifice the little archers to save the stronger soldiers.
Take a real life example that plagues us currently, LGB without the T. This was made because of legislation. People are scared, confused, and anxious. The sexuality based members of this community are throwing trans people under the bus in fear. They are giving the archers up to protect the soldiers because they don’t know what else to do.
They spot trans people as the weak point because of comments people against the community make. “If you can be born a man then become a girl, then I can be an attack helicopter!” You, dear reader, may know this comment. That’s where people get the idea that trans people are the weak point. They’re easiest to make fun of because, in truth, we don’t really fully understand where trans people come from aside from ones like nonbinary or gender fluid people tend to be neurodivergent. It’s hard to defend what you don’t understand so currently they are the canon fodder.
These labels are valid and they should exist. Fear is what breaks us apart. So, why should we let what’s weak exist? Because those ‘weak’ parts of the community are also out strongest. You think they care talking to a homophobe or transphobe when their own community talks to them the same way? No. They’re the only ones who can bunker down and take it because there isn’t anything they can do that the community hasn’t already done.
ʜᴏᴡ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ᴡᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇɴɢᴛʜᴇɴ ᴛᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ?
By doing what homophobes and transphobes can’t. We can strength together through understanding, knowledge, and solace in every aspect of our community.
If you want to judge a sexuality or gender identity then research it. Try to understand it first. If even then you can’t understand it? Talk to the members! I’m sure they’d be happy for a chance at being listened to.
We are strongest together, not apart. Once the homophobes and transphobes take one of us…they’ll come for us all. We have strength in our numbers, knowledge, and ability to organize as a single group. We need to keep that ability.
ᴇɴᴅ ᴅʀᴀʙʙʟᴇ
I know some may not agree with me, feel free to comment. If you may want to speak longer then just 1-2 messages back and forth then perhaps you’ll find my DM’s more suitable for an option.
It’s always important to hear many ideas and takes so I’m always happy to hear what you all think even if it opposes me.
To help you with your want to know my opinion, buried in the post I said, “Realistically it only makes sense that micro labels exist…So yes, micro labels are extremely valid!” So yes I do support the use of micro labels.
Within my posts, there is a limit to what is and is not ok. It’s ok to criticize but to go out of your way to be rude or hateful is not ok. Criticism that leads to improvement can be great but don’t forget the block button can be just as great. Yes, this is the internet but no you are not entitled to being rude about your opinions on someone else’s blog.
ᴛᴏᴘɪᴄꜱ
This isn’t BookTok so I’m going to make a few bendable rules for things I will and won’t write in reference to my poetry, writing, OC, or comic related content.
I will not write incest in any form, abuse, statutory rape, rape, pedophilia (Or similar types of it), senseless violence, drug addiction, alcoholism, or similar serious topics for no reason.
But there are exceptions like if I am referencing my own trauma in poetry or writings, though I will write trigger warnings, as well as if it matters to a characters story. I don’t want senseless uses of sensitive topics like what you’ll find in some odder areas of tumblr.
In basis, I’m not opposed to writing anything but I am against writing it for a fluff peace or without actual reason. People fetishize horrible things on here in certain communities, I don’t want to add to that.
ᴀɢᴇꜱ
I write openly, blatantly, and about what I want. I’m an adult, legally, so I’d like for people who are seeing my content to also be of age. Obviously, I can’t control everything and everyone but I do want to state that if I find that you are a minor and viewing my more mature content that you will be blocked.
How would I even know that, you may wonder, well I’ll be observing who likes what. Checking ages. Making clear reserved sections for my mature content and likely saying it on the posts themselves.
ᴏᴜᴛꜱɪᴅᴇ ʟɪɴᴋꜱ
No outside links that aren’t related to the post at hand! Tumblr has a porn bot problem and I won’t be checking every link but if it looks suspicious? Then it’ll be deleted.
ʙᴀᴅ ʙᴇʜᴀᴠɪᴏʀ
You behave badly or poorly? Blocked. This blog is not for people to be rude just to be rude. You can be as anonymous as you want but being anonymous doesn’t prevent the use of the block button and does not excuse you acting foolish or brainless.
Now, aside from my boundaries, certain behaviors aren’t tolerated. Hating on others for differing opinions that aren’t harmful will have you blocked by me and your comments deleted.
I use the block button liberally and it may be used if needed though I am usually quite tolerant on most behaviors.
ᴘᴏꜱᴛ ꜱᴄʜᴇᴅᴜʟᴇ?
I do not and will never post regularly. I have ADHD and sometimes struggle to focus or stay consistent in tasks. Though when writing a story, I will try and stay consistent with posts because I hate when a story isn’t finished or you have to wait years for an update.
ᴡʜʏ ᴅᴏ ɪ ᴘᴏꜱᴛ ꜱᴏ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴅɪꜰꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴛ ꜱᴜʙᴊᴇᴄᴛꜱ?
I like different subjects and post them for my own interest and enjoyment! I know some blogs on here tend to pick a single topic or concept and stick with it, ie fanfic writers or play accounts playing a character, but I am not one of those people.
ᴡʜʏ ꜱᴏ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴏʀɢᴀɴɪᴢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴍᴇᴛʜᴏᴅꜱ?
I, personally, hate when people post something then to find a similar post by them you have to scroll through tons of unrelated posts. To prevent that from happening to people who go through my blog, I use an organization system to keep everything easy to find!
Art, comic books, sewing, baking, cooking, reading, writing, DIY’s, self study, and working out.
ᴅɪꜱʟɪᴋᴇꜱ:
Trump, homophobia, transphobia, non-properly-socialized dogs, the texture of rice, fascists, close minded people, and people who force pink onto girls.
Disclaimer: Can’t talk about microlabels without talking about xeno/neopronouns!
This post is my opinion and observation. We all have the right to make comments on whatever we please but it is important to remember that just because you disagree doesn’t mean you get to harass someone. Comments and DM’s are open for proper discussion or debate.
ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛᴇʀᴍꜱ:
ᴍɪᴄʀᴏʟᴀʙᴇʟᴇꜱ:
A microlabel is a label for some form of gender identity or sexual orientation that falls under, or otherwise overlaps with, a broader term. Microlabels tend to be described as "hyperspecific", meaning that they describe a very specific experience of a gender/sexuality/etc.
ᴜᴍʙʀᴇʟʟᴀ ᴛᴇʀᴍ:
An umbrella term is a word or a phrase that covers a broad range of related things instead of just one. The terms covered by the umbrella are distinct but related.
ɴᴇᴏᴘʀᴏɴᴜɴꜱ:
Neopronouns are personal pronouns coined as an alternative to existing third-person singular pronouns, such as "they/them". Neopronouns tend to be gender neutral. They can be used by anyone of any gender, but some people use neopronouns specifically to express that they are non-binary or transgender.
ɢᴇɴᴜꜱ:
A taxonomic rank used to group closely related species.
ꜱᴛɪɢᴍᴀ:
A set of negative and unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something.
ᴘʀᴇᴊᴜᴅɪᴄᴇ:
An irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics
Despite the previous version of this post, which was well intentioned yet held many incorrect ideas, umbrella terms are not as easy to understand as you may imagine. In fact, most umbrella terms are likely words you have not heard of if you aren’t deep into online discussion over similar topics. Umbrella terms are things like multisexual or monosexual, broad defining terms that help classify everything under them. The problem in the discussion is people's lack of understanding that all their sexualities or gender identities are indeed microlabels of something else. To give an outside example, think of a genus. In biology, an oddly related topic to these discussions, a genus functions as the broad label for a new species. Take the genus Panthera, it is the larger term for animals like lions, tigers, and jaguars just as multisexual is the larger term for gay, lesbain; and straight. Just as a genus, an umbrella term is broad, large, and can be all encapsulating..
Now, when I wrote the original version of this post I neglected to acknowledge my own lack of indepth knowledge on this topic. At the time, I believed that microlabels were the labels that were able to fit under more widely accepted and known identities. Like how I had the incorrect idea of bisexual not being a microlabel because labels like omnisexual or pansexual could fit under it when in truth, bisexual is a microlabel as well. It seems as though many members of the LGBTQ+ community hold this idea even though it is untrue. Trusted creators are the ones who taught me this but within 5 minutes of my own reading, I came to understand it wasn’t as simple.
The problem isn’t microlabels or umbrella terms, it's the spread of short form content and a reliance on AI overviews over proper research. Since people want the short version instead of the long version, they miss out on the nuances that exist in the discussion. Like how despite being misled in the basis idea of my last post, I still believe bisexual is still an umbrella term for omnisexual and pansexual despite it also being a microlabel. The one true misconception of this entire debate is that an umbrella term can have a microlabel that is also an umbrella term.
ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛɪɢᴍᴀ ɪɴ ᴍɪᴄʀᴏʟᴀʙᴇʟꜱ
Microlabels come with a stigma, in fact I wouldn’t be surprised if someone only skimmed the first half of this post and got offended over being equated to a microlabel. Perhaps this theoretical person would leave a nasty comment or DM but you have to ask yourself why? Well the, ‘Why’ is both simple and difficult to answer depending on the aspect of the stigma you are having to acknowledge.
There are two stigmas that, in this post, I will be acknowledging. The first of the two is the blatant negative feelings of people who use xeno or neopronouns which are the two mainly acknowledge microlabels. Now, let’s begin with a major clarification! Xeno and neopronouns are not new, in fact those in the 19th century found issue with the he/she binary of the time. They wanted another pronoun to use but found that they/them was too unspecific and tended to cause issues in understanding between people. People like Francis August Brewster invented a third kind of pronouns, originally intended for the third biological sex aka intersex people. He proposed the use of the pronoun set E/Es/Em. This provable fact shows that pronouns outside of he/she/they/it are not new nor something invented during covid like some malinformed individuals, terfs usually, seem to propose. So why, if not new, do people always feel the need to drag xeno and neopronouns? Well, firstly it comes down to my original sentiment that people don't understand what microlabels actually are. They just think that microlabels are the smaller communities and therefore who cares about them. A second idea could be that the LGBTQ is normalizing terf behavior.
Sadly, the second idea is the one that holds the most weight in a vast majority of discussions. People naturally follow the leader and once a creator gets tired of being bullied by terfs they can turn on the trans community as a whole. To excuse their blatant transphobia they pretend like it's only xenos and neos that they have an issue with. The people watching the creators tend to be sheeple and instead of realizing that their favorite creator is transphobic they choose to normalize it by repeating the same ideas. In truth, those who hate xeno and neopronouns are terfs and abelsit. The first reason for the stigma of microlabels is simply people lacking the ability to think freely and refusing to do their own research.
The secondary stigma that haunts microlabels is that blatant elitism of the community. The best, most talked about, example is how bisexual people tend to be treated. Not everyone who is bisexual just claims to be bisexual because it's ‘trendy’ and yet the stigma against bisexual people is that they are not truly attracted to the same sex or that they must choose to either be a homosexual or straight. As I have said before, specifically in the first section, all sexualities and gender identities are microlabels, yet the bigger identities do not want to be even acknowledged as the microlabels that they factually are. This could come from a mixture of two things. That they believe that because the word ‘micro’ is in ‘microlabels’ that it must be about smaller communities/groups or the excusing transphobia that I mentioned above.
For some reason, a smaller minority of the already small groups have asserted themselves as the ‘correct’ way to be into the same sex. Elitism is a constant issue within the community because it comes from a place of fear. The president is a baby eating racist nazi who would rather have us dead than to allow our differences. I believe the elitism against microlabels comes from a place of, “Who can we throw under the bus to save ourselves?”. Maybe I’m reaching a conclusion that is nonexistent but this fear has embedded itself in the way we act with each other. We are no longer a community but instead groups of very scared people
pretending to be confident.
ᴡʜʏ ᴅᴏ ᴍɪᴄʀᴏʟᴀʙᴇʟꜱ ᴇxɪꜱᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇɢɪɴ ᴡɪᴛʜ?
Humans crave belonging, understanding, and support from others within the species. The LGBTQ has the support but not everyone feels as they belong or are understood because of their differences. Sometimes we need to have a smaller cozy community to be able to be seen in and to have like minded individuals around us.
Another reason for microlabels are neurodivergent people, who notoriously experience life differently from neurotypical individuals. This applies to both sexuality and gender identity, I am an example of this. I have ADHD and I choose to use microlabels because using a broader label doesn’t mean people will understand me. If I used aromantic, people may not understand that I do feel attraction but I can’t identify it but those who are also nubelaromantic would understand that I can't tell the difference between platonic or romantic attraction. Many people choose these hyperspecific sexualities because it feels nice to for once in our lives be looked at as something other than a freak.
Microlables aren’t just for neurodivergent people! I’m sure neurotypical people also use them. These labels help create specification within such a large community where people who use them can become lost in the sea of people. Sometimes, when they try to use bigger labels, they can be bullied out of it. It’s hard to explain being omnisexual with a preference for one gender to the extent of being repulsed, most of the time, to the one of those genders but berrisexual or almondesexual people would understand. Microlabes create a sense of belonging to those considered nonvalid because of tiny differences.
ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴠᴀʟɪᴅ?
Yes, if you somehow read all of this and couldn’t figure that out then I am mainly concerned for your reading comprehension or how far in propagandized prejudice you may have fallen.
ᴇɴᴅ ᴅʀᴀʙʙʟᴇ
Microlabes are nice, right? We all are microlabels after all. The real focus to this is how we can come together more as a community without feeling as afraid of being seen as different. Firstly, we can research into different sexualities or gender identities by ourselves and not rely on short form content that gets paid to keep your attention. Next, we could establish a basis of behaviors to look out for when we are trying to avoid terf redirect. Third we could all uplift the voices of the smaller labels and let them be heard just as much as the much bigger groups. And my final idea would be to stop engaging with those who go out of their way to use issues like this to distract us from the dangers and legislation that may be coming for us all one day. Feel welcome to add ways that as a community we could grow together in the comments. Reach out to each other and band together because us banding together is how we got our rights today.