Questioning Stamp

RANT ALERT!

This is in response to a huge frustration I have with the queer community on the internet. As someone who is questioning my gender identity, I find myself frequently afraid to ask questions or advice from members of the LGBT community because I don't want to be labeled as a "poser" or "gay until graduation" or only trans because it's cool. There are lots of stamps and artwork, especially in some of the LGBT groups I belong to on DA that is posted venting frustration at those considered to be "only queer 'cause it's cool" or whatever.

A piece of artwork showed up in my devwatch today that was a photomanip with comments saying "don't believe everyone who claims to be trans on the internet. They're probably a poser."

The point is, I understand how it can be frustrating to have people usurping your hard fought identity to be "cool." But the flip side of that is, those of us who are "questioning" who aren't sure where we fit into the queer community, if at all, are now not only afraid to talk to the straight community, but the queer community as well. It make us feel even more isolated because what if we decide that we're not trans/gay/lesbian/whatever? Then we are suddenly a "poser" and not someone who was legitimately questioning their sexuality/gender identity. So please, tone down the anger so you don't alienate those of us who aren't ready to be "out and proud" yet. We have a hard enough time with our own headspace as it is.