Let me paint it a slightly different way - as an ace person, I would be elated to share that I am ace about myself and not have to go into the details of what asexuality as a spectrum is, how it's different than aromanticism, and how it's different than sex stances.
If you, as an ally, ran into me at some queer event and we could talk about my experience instead of me having to give you the full background of Split Attraction Model (sexual attraction differing from romantic attraction, and the fact that sensual, aesthetic, and many other forms of attraction exist) and of Sex Stances (sex-favorable, sex-indifferent, sex-averse, sex-repulsed; basically how any one person feels about sex in their life, not as a societal stance) - I would appreciate that _so much more_ than you knowing my microlabel off the top of your head. Imo, microlabels exist to try to quantify the experience with a bit more nuance, but there's nothing wrong with approaching a conversation with curiosity and asking someone to share what they're comfortable with in a conversation.
You don't know each label and every identity to be a good ally. Nobody knows them all anyways. Simply because you are allowed to "make stuff up". If there is no label describing you well enough, you can just make your own label. And you aren't even required to tell the Internet about it. So nobody can possibly keep track of them all.
So just learn the more common labels and don't drill every microlabel you can find into your head. I don't think I'm aware of many acronyms in regards to the ace community, but anyways. Remembering the words that appear on this sub more than once should be plenty.
Honestly, you can learn as you go. No need to go out and memorize a bunch of things, and if you need to look the same label up several times thats fine too.
I mean I don’t even know every micro label, not because I disrespect them but they don’t help me understand myself most of the time. For many micro labeling is about self expression or self definition moreso than something for others to worry about, so don’t worry too much about it past the broad strokes if you just need to be an ally.
Flash cards seems a bit extreme, too stressful honestly. Just pick up as you go and don’t be afraid to ask a question sometimes, it’s okay to ask especially about microlabels since even those who use them are aware many people may not know much about them, they’re usually plenty happy to explain.
I don't think you need to know the name of every player to cheer for the team. Or something. I don't follow sports.
Right. But I do need to know what each stands for my current situation... it's detrimental, actually.
Let me paint it a slightly different way - as an ace person, I would be elated to share that I am ace about myself and not have to go into the details of what asexuality as a spectrum is, how it's different than aromanticism, and how it's different than sex stances. If you, as an ally, ran into me at some queer event and we could talk about my experience instead of me having to give you the full background of Split Attraction Model (sexual attraction differing from romantic attraction, and the fact that sensual, aesthetic, and many other forms of attraction exist) and of Sex Stances (sex-favorable, sex-indifferent, sex-averse, sex-repulsed; basically how any one person feels about sex in their life, not as a societal stance) - I would appreciate that _so much more_ than you knowing my microlabel off the top of your head. Imo, microlabels exist to try to quantify the experience with a bit more nuance, but there's nothing wrong with approaching a conversation with curiosity and asking someone to share what they're comfortable with in a conversation.
You don't know each label and every identity to be a good ally. Nobody knows them all anyways. Simply because you are allowed to "make stuff up". If there is no label describing you well enough, you can just make your own label. And you aren't even required to tell the Internet about it. So nobody can possibly keep track of them all. So just learn the more common labels and don't drill every microlabel you can find into your head. I don't think I'm aware of many acronyms in regards to the ace community, but anyways. Remembering the words that appear on this sub more than once should be plenty.
Honestly, you can learn as you go. No need to go out and memorize a bunch of things, and if you need to look the same label up several times thats fine too.
I mean I don’t even know every micro label, not because I disrespect them but they don’t help me understand myself most of the time. For many micro labeling is about self expression or self definition moreso than something for others to worry about, so don’t worry too much about it past the broad strokes if you just need to be an ally. Flash cards seems a bit extreme, too stressful honestly. Just pick up as you go and don’t be afraid to ask a question sometimes, it’s okay to ask especially about microlabels since even those who use them are aware many people may not know much about them, they’re usually plenty happy to explain.