I can't understand people that make sexuality the main aspect of their identity.
I really think your sexuality should be your own personal business.
But when people focus on only that aspect of themselves it starts to become a bit strange and obnoxious.
Having a video character whose identity is based around their sexuality is no different.
It is just so unimportant and can only be seen as a forced way to garner free publicity and support.
So it is no surprise people are rolling their eyes at these recent reveals. Generic video game soldier #12345 being gay or straight has literally no effect on the games whatsoever.
Most people do make it a big aspect of their identity though.
Just the fact that the vast majority of people are straight means it's just assumed for most people.
Look, imagine you start a new job and you are joining a team of, say, 10 people. I am gonna guess that by the end of the first week you will roughly know the relationship status of most of those people. Especially, if I may be so bold, the women.
Now, "my husband and I watched that Bird Box movie on Netflix last night" might not exactly be screaming "I AM STRAIGHT" but it's there.
"I have two kids, ages 3 and 5, and my wife stays at home to take care of them". Again, it's not overt but it IS there.
Dudes get asked ALL THE TIME "do you have a girlfriend".
Women get the same but it's "do you have a boyfriend".
Relationship status is a pretty bit aspect of MANY people's identities.
Some lads, all they ever go on about is their wife and kids.
The thing is that with most people being straight we don't see these open declarations of relationship status and, by extension, sexuality as all that remarkable.
So when a man replies "I don't have a girlfriend but I'm planning on marrying my boyfriend next year" he is completely bucking the trend by default.
So in that new job with that new group of 10 people the gay guy is almost already condemned to be defined by his sexuality.
In some ways it's not them making this a main aspect of their identity. It's us.
Yet when they embrace that and accept it we turn around and say "why is this the main aspect of your identity".
For a large chunk of the population, when asked to define themselves, relationship status, family status etc is basically their defining attribute. You participate in a "tell us a bit about yourself" in work and mostly all you'll hear about is husbands and wives and children.
So when someone is outside of that societal norm it's kind of obvious that this will be a main part of their identity.
If anything it's what makes them stand out from the majority.
And, dude, I bet you it's fucking DAUNTING to be sat in that circle when Mary the Manager says "I married my husband last year" and John the Project Leader says "I've been with the wife 10 years and we have 2 kids" and the other new start says "Hi I'm Karen and I'm single but looking for a nice man" and then it's your turn and you're wondering if you even should mention you are in a same sex marriage or relationship.
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