The Queeriodic Table

Where’s Pansexual, or Heteroflexible!?
I Identified as queer for years because I didn’t fit regular gay or straight or even bi boxes. Then I found Pansexual and have happily identified as such since. And Heteroflexible should be in allies.

Where can I access a larger version to see online?

You can’t just yet. This version is to give you a sense of the project. It’s on our list of things to do. (JC)

Thanks for your suggestions. Heteroflexible is number 95, in Slang. It’s not online yet, but will be once we create the new set of buttons.

One of the challenges of the table is that each group has a fixed number of elements so to put Heteroflexible into Allies would mean removing something that’s currently there. In fact, it was in Allies in the first iteration but we wanted to add Intersex and that fit better in Allies, and Heteroflexible is slang.

That’s why it is how it is, but this is an iterative project so we welcome any suggestions for change, whether we act upon them or not. (JC)

I love this. Keep up the good work.

what about feygelah , same gender loving,asexual, and pansexual

t-shirts?

definitions?

I’m totally yestergay! I am bisexual, but fell in love with an amazing man and still support my gay community avidly.

This is a fun and interesting concept. Seeing all these things in one place, I ran across a few terms I hadn’t heard before, and a bunch I’m used to. However, it got me wondering, do any different terms representing physically disabled members of the GLBTQ community even exist? It seems as though we don’t even register, to be perfectly honest, anywhere in the overall social consciousness of the “Gay Community.”

I just have a question, I am not trying to be instigatory. Why are us trans people listed as allies? I (we) are Queer too.

why are trans and genderqueer in “allies?” that doesn’t make sense

Again, why are intersex and trans people listed as allies?

Well, *Queer* was one of them. I know a girl who was born a boy. Her girlfriend was his girlfriend first. Gender identity and sexual orientation are two completely different things. It is possible for a *Trans* individual to be a Heterosexual……which means they are not gay. So Trans people get to be included in several of the categories. You can be “one of us” and be ” a friend” at the same time. That makes you super special…..now quit being instigatory; for the love of Cher, and get PROUD. It is LGBTTQQFFAA Pride Month after all.

Since a wheelchair doesn’t make a person a person…..maybe being *gay* is what matters. Or better yet, maybe what makes you matter is your pulse.

*Heteroflexible* can be found in a frat house. LOL

A gay woman in a heterosexual relationship is a *Lesbigone*.

Hi there, love the idea. I agree with a couple of other commenters, though, that it’s weird how trans and genderqueer folks are included as “allies”.

Hate to break it to you, but on a per capita basis, way more heterosexual-ID’d trans women are murdered than any other group in LGBTQ. Trans women (and to a less degree trans men) encounter more job discrimination than other groups in LGBTQ. The suicide rate for trans teens is higher than for any other group in LGBT. The unemployment rate is higher than for any other group in LGBTQ. Trans women prisoners are way worse off than any other minority in prisons. And our health care issues are more complex and oppressive than other groups in LGBTQ (including the large percentage of trans AIDS patients). And you place “trans” as allies? Who the hell do you think started historic political activism at Cooper’s Doughnuts in 1959, Dewey’s Cafeteria in 1966, and Compton’s Cafeteria in 1966? Those were spearheaded by trans women who were attracted to men. Maybe it’s intended as humor, but this chart comes off as very trans ignorant.

If being *gay* was really the thing that mattered so much, if the thing that makes people matter most in the gay community really was just their pulse… then maybe the disabled members within the GLBTQ community wouldn’t be so largely ignored.

LOL, to say the least, IF you are going to put Old Guard, shouldn’t you also put New Guard? AB? Power Exchange?

This website is stupid..

I like the idea behind this, but as a trans person, i see myself as part of the community because of my trans identity. This table is not inclusive of trans/intersex bodies, or other kinds of kink (in the activities section) that would be considered queer. Queer is not just gay and lesbian, and when we understand that, we can really help all of the people in our community, not just the gay and lesbian ones.

LOL!

Kona here. Im one of the co-creators. Part of what the project includes is a collection of suggestions. We track what people want added and we track what people are busting our shit about. We’ll be adding Lesbigone to the list of changes to consider for the next iteration!

!Kona
co-creator, Queeriodic Table

Hi Rain!

I’m Kona, one of the co-creators. There is a menu bar at the top of the page which lists the current categories. From there you can get a list of the elements that we’ve had a chance to load to date. Some of the elements have “Reflective Descriptions” which are curated from community input – if you find one that is blank, please submit something! Additionally, there is comment space to leave your thoughts.

!Kona here. I’m one of the co-creators. IS there a word for a queer person who is differently-abled? I have friends that use “gimp” and “crip” but it is seems that these terms are have a focus that is about being differently-abled. They are unlike words like Papi or Zami that speak to an intersection of race AND orientation. Is there a word/s. I’d like to add it to the list for consideration for the next version!

Kona here. I’m one of the co-creators. You can hover over the individual elements on the table above to see the detail. There is no larger version available unless you use the accessibility tools available through your browser. Better viewing can be had if you own a poster (which you can order above) or by being present at a public viewing. This summer, if you are in Vancouver, you can see it at the Pride in Art Festival and during Out on Screen.

Kona here. I’m one of the co-creators of this piece of art. I’d like to add to Jen’s comment. “Allies” is a term that has caused discomfort from the beginning. There are a pile of reasons why it remained in the second version. I, personally, have no problem admitting to FAIL in this area without defending the choices and circumstances which led to the configuration of version 2.

Because the Table is iterative, and because e are ACTUALLY listening to those who are interacting with our art, the “category” of Allies will likely disappear from the third iteration or undergo a serious renovation. We’ve had some great suggestions about how to make the category more relevant if it stay (PFLAG, GSA) and suggestions around how to rename the category completely.

Which means YOU get to be part of the solution. Each and everyone of ya.

The simple answer is that we messed up. We’re creating a new iteration for July 2011 and it will incorporate gender better. The longer answer is that I (because I take responsibility for it being my fail) wanted to make the point that gender and sexuality are two different things and should not be conflated. My understanding/definition of the word queer was not the same as many of the people who have offered critiques. Neither Kona or myself were particularly happy with the word Allies but under deadline we couldn’t come up with anything better.

We were wrong. We admit it. It’s going to change.

We are very thankful for the feedback that people have given us and certainly welcome more.

Would it be possible to rearrange the elements to mirror more of the real periodic table? I know the first things I looked for was what would be in Carbons and Francium being the foundation of organic life here on Earth and the most volatile Alkali metal, respectively. I could understand that Hope would be the foundation but then rimming being the most volatile over fisting? Not exactly what I would consider, and I enjoy fisting.

Then the semi metals being classified under “mostly male” doesn’t make a lick of sense. Why not put trans, intersex, queer, etc there? It would make more sense on both levels. Then to deal with the diatoms and noble gases (being something irrefutable about gay culture) with the smattering of smaller scientific classifications. Well that is my two cents.

You’re right. It is trans ignorant. I take responsibility for that fail. I was trying to make the point that gender and sexuality should not be conflated. I see it all the time and I think it is all round ignorant and disrespectful . (For example, if you can bear it, see this article http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/06/01/jonathan-kay-take-it-from-me-%E2%80%94-gender-free-parenting-doesnt-work/).

Kona and I were never fully comfortable with the term Allies but under a fierce deadline we couldn’t come up with a better word.

That’s an explanation of why it is how it is. The point is, we made a mistake and we’re going to change it. Keep an eye out for the next iteration in July 2011.

Further feedback is very welcome.

I would totally buy this if it was put on a t-shirt!

I answered this below, but just in case you don’t see that:

The simple answer is that we messed up. We’re creating a new iteration for July 2011 and it will incorporate gender better. The longer answer is that I (because I take responsibility for it being my fail) wanted to make the point that gender and sexuality are two different things and should not be conflated. My understanding/definition of the word queer was not the same as many of the people who have offered critiques. Neither Kona or myself were particularly happy with the word Allies but under deadline we couldn’t come up with anything better.

We were wrong. We admit it. It’s going to change.

We are very thankful for the feedback that people have given us and certainly welcome more.

It’s something we’re definitely considering.

Thanks for the suggestions! I’ve never heard of feygelah before.

Yeah, we screwed up on the Allies section and gender will be better incorporated in the next iteration due in July 2011.

We’ve had lots of conversations with people about how you could do a whole table of BDSM/Kink terms! One of the issues is trying to fit everything in. One new idea that some people have suggested is to utilize the concept of isotopes for words that have very similar meanings. We hope to include more terms on the website through this concept.

Thanks for your feedback. If you have specific suggestions for terms/words/concepts that we’ve missed we’re very happy to hear them.

What does AB mean? There’s a whole other table of BDSM/kink terms that could be created and we could only fit a few in. But if we go with the concept of isotopes we might be able to fit a few more in. Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming!

I do truly appreciate that you’re trying to listen anyway.

We’ve tried as much as possible to keep true to the nature of the Periodic Table but some things just aren’t possible. A meaningful relationship between the concepts of the groups of the Periodic Table and the Queeriodic Table was something we considered but weren’t able to make work for the whole table.

I love having discussions about the table with science nerds and seeing if there are more in-jokes that we can wring out of it so thanks very much for the suggestions.

Feygelah is yiddish for faggot.

In addition to doing some serious changing up of the gender section (why not just make an ally button?), I would also suggest possibly a “Switch” button. I know “versatile” is on there, but at least personally, I never liked the word…it seems like it could apply much more to just sexual behavior.

It’s kind of a neat idea, but trying to categorize everything like this….
I’m not trying to be mean spirited or anything, but it’s stuff like this that makes me want to totally disassociate myself from anything gay. That fisting, slurs, and promiscuity should be part of the “gay” identity just doesn’t do it for me. Why does being gay HAVE to include rebelling against every social norm?

I don’t want to step on anyone who identifies with these things, more power to you, but those things shouldn’t be synonymous with homosexuality.

I really love this discussion and Gina’s open minded response. I’m sure there are more vitriolic ones . . . but rock on Gina, our heroine, for pointing out some very critical milestones. Brava!

I’ve used the word, grip . . . but gimp is NOT a differently abled moniker and applies to a specialized aspect of BD/SM. So make sure that ‘don’t’ get in there in reference to us. You are really up against a monolith of identity but kudos for taking a crack at it!

Sorry one more: gaybled. I’ve used that as well. Neither grip or that are in the mainstream.

I have over-liked way too much of these comments. Kudos to you both.

I definitely appreciate your response. Thank you.

Gay =/= queer.

Thank you for your response!

Also, where do you get off being cissexist and telling me to be quiet? I wasn’t being instigatory, and I even preficed that it wasn’t my intent to be. It’s LGB history month, asshole, I don’t exactly see transgender people like myself represented that well amongst the community, that’s why I commented on this thing listing us as allies which yet again sets up that it is an LGB community, not an LGBT community. The creators were kind enough to answer my response, but you? You, jackamo, take a take for douchebaggery.

No reference to asexuals?

I was wondering why paypal wont let me check out. It keeps saying that its a problem with the merchant, so I didn’t know if it was able to be fixed because there are three buttons that I’m after! :) Thanks for any help!

Oh no! Thanks for letting us know. I’ll check it out. In the meantime you can email me at jen@queeriodictable.com and let me know which buttons you want and we’ll sort something out.

no, a hasbian!

This is the most pointless gay-related site I’ve ever stumbled. Dumb, dumb, dumb idea. Try spending your time on something more useful like, I don’t know, anything else.

Fixed now. Hope you’ve received the buttons. Email me if you have any problems.

perhaps you could spend your time on something more useful than surfing the net, insulting strangers.

as a queer trans gimp, ive often used the term (and seen it used by many other queer gimps) “BENT”, because it encapsulates both my gimp experience and queer experience. :)

Yes, “gimp” also applies to an aspect of bdsm, but for many of us gimps, it is indeed a reclaimed disability moniker. Especially fun and true for some of us kinky gimps.

One person’s opinion: Not all trans people are queer, and many trans people who are not queer don’t take kindly to being non-consensually labeled queer simply because of their trans status. It can often be de- and mis-gendering, disrespectful and presumptuous, and steeped in cissexism/ciscentrism, however “well-intended” it may be.

I love this! So fun. Please bring back “Friend of Dorothy”! Also another vote for Feygele – a great yiddish word that literally translates “little bird”. Also looking forward to the version that includes trans folk in the queer elements.

Trans = / = queer either.

not all trans folks identify as queer. my cis-gendered, female-identified, queer best friend just married the straightest trans man in the world. he identifies as straight. he is heterosexual through and through. he has no interest in living in the queer world. it is not internalized transphobia or shame. he is, was, and always has been a man. his only interest in the queer community is as an ally.

some trans folks are queer and embrace it. others have never been queer. just like cis-folks, there’s no common trans experience, and that includes a relationship to queerness. i think jen and kona were being particularlily sensitive to the fact that your gender and who you like to fuck are not conditionally linked. they meant no offence, they’re not being transphobic, they’re just acknowledging the difference.

this is one hell of a project – keep up the good work!

Excellent display at the Queer Arts Festival in Vancouver. Saw the work yesterday, and considered it one of the most intriguing pieces of the show.

A piece of display critique for you:

Have you considered changing the way that this displays on internet browsers? The roving mouse idea, where the magnification is centred around wherever the curser is is very difficult to use, because you have to centre the tile in the window in order to be able to read it properly.

Alternatively, if you were to do an full-tile highlight and expansion (think of the way a key on the iPhone keyboard expands entirely when you have it selected) it would be much easier to read, and scrolling through would be that much easier to accomplish as the entire tile would expand as long as the curser was on the tile, not depending on where the curser IS.

Another way you could make this easier to read would be to make the Table ‘clickable’ with the first click creating a magnified view of the tile, and a second click on that tile taking you to a wikipedia article (or other suitable source) in a new tab or window that would allow you to read up on the meaning of the ‘element’ in the tile.

Just some suggestions, the project itself looks great. It’s just a shame you can’t enjoy it more easily online.

Is “Foamer” an Element, or is it a Compound? Either way, I feel that the Foam Party crowd is under represented here. Otherwise, this is a fantastic beginning to a quirky teaching tool, and I will be linking my vanilla brethren at first chance.

Brilliant! Especially appreciate what I see by the comments from trans-people below & your responses – your willingness to admit making mistakes & correcting them. Wow! With that lack of attitude, QT, you don’t sound very gay! Keep up the good queer work.

Also, a southern friend of mine recently told me about one of the terms they knew for queer down there, particularly but not exclusively younger queers: Biscuit. So adorable!

Under Classic or Old School am I missing “Gay Lib” or liberation. Some of us pine for the days of gay liberation. It was so much better than the Gay Assimilation that’s been going on in recent years.

Not all gay folks identify as queer. Hell, the word was pretty much originally reclaimed to distinguish the assimilationists from the unapologetically gender-trangressive (“Not gay as in happy but queer as in fuck you.”), but now those same assimilationists police the boundaries of a term that was never about them and want to tell us what it means (it sure as hell isn’t “not about gender”), acting like they have our best interests at heart.

Promise change, never follow through when you say you will. You guys could be president!

No gender fluid? Or trans man or trans woman?

Perhaps put girlfag and guydyke on there?

I love this chart! It’s an awesome fun idea. Obviously it is hard to make everyone happy! I can understand why Trans/Genderqueer is in the “allies” section. I am a Transguy and I only identify as Queer b/c I am attracted to both girls and guys. If I was only attracted to woman I would consider myself Hetro. Many trans people I know consider themselves straight and don’t want to be called queer etc…
Good luck with the next edition and I want to buy a T-Shirt too!

You should add asexual for asexual people!

My sexual orientation is submissive. I am attracted to people, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, who are dominant to me. It is never listed anywhere and isn’t here either. I’m not bisexual, or heteroflexible, or anything else.