So, if you’re a girl, you’ve probably at one point hung out with a big, boozy group filled exclusively with girls. Everyone drinks and within 20 minutes the conversation turns to sex, because what else? And when it’s on sex, it comes to sexuality and experimenting, and “Would you hook up with another girl?” It’s funny that when this question comes up, everyone in the circle talks openly about it, knowing it’s not a proposition but a curious, open question. It’s not a question about sexuality either. Because even people who say they would aren’t shy about it, or worried that the question means anything more than just that. And a lot talk about it like a one-time thing, like they want to do it just to do it.
It’s happened so many times, with so many different types of people (lawless partiers, indie hipsters, so on), that it brings to mind the question: what is this weird phenomenon of straight girls wanting to hook up with girls? This isn’t really something that’s so widespread amongst guys. I never hear about a bunch of guys who are totally straight but are down to get drunk and get crazy with other guys.
I’ve asked quite a few people about this. Some think this makes sense — after all it’s kind of hot when girls make out with each other, but not so much with guys. Others are totally on the other end of the spectrum and say they’d love to see guys getting frisky with other guys, and that it even turns them on, but that opinion is definitely the minority. So what’s with the widespread approval of girl-love? Or, more precisely, girl-hookups, because I don’t think the enjoyment blossoms into a widespread support of lesbianism.
A part of me wonders if it’s okay because it caters to boys. Someone who once told me that she wants to hookup with a girl, one time also said that she’s kissed a girl before; some guys asked her and her friend to make out for a shot. (Gross. Okay? Gross. I couldn’t say it then, so let me say it now. How does that not sound exploitative and sleazy?)
This aspect of sexuality is becoming the new trend. It’s worth thinking about why. Is it because girls feel comfortable broadcasting it? Do they just like the reaction? Are they even compelled because girl-on-girl sexuality — so long as it’s occasional and not a commitment — is fairly supported, even encouraged? Obviously, there’s going to be a mix of reasons. If it comes from a place of curiosity or experimentation, who am I to say no? But, if that’s the case, I wonder — why isn’t this common across the genders.
It’s hard to find a conclusion to this because the topic is confusing — and what kind of conclusion can be reached? But it does prompt a question. I wonder sometimes if, hidden in the progressive ideals of sexual acceptance, there’s a strain of something a little harmful. Something that sees female sexuality as a thing to be used rather than accepted — or, maybe, this public candor is a step in the right direction.
BY OLLIE MCGEE
Anonymous Columnist