I have no idea how they could be useful. They don't give you any information you couldn't find in a dictionary. They basically all ask who you're attracted to. That's the million dollar question. How can someone know who they're attracted to, but still question their orientation?
The only orientation test that I've ever taken or that I believe is globally popular is the Kinsey Scale... Which is think is bogus bullshit. I think people spend way more time trying to figure out their orientation than what is needed. That's thanks to the LGBTQ+ community adding all of these zillion extra labels. If we stuck to; Gay, Lesbian and Bi - this would make everything easy. As it should be. If you're questioning anything, you're bisexual. If you are straight, you don't have thoughts about intimacy with the same sex. I think we, as a community, need to get back to the basics. Too many people out there struggling with orientation-identity when they shouldn't be. You like what you like, if you're unsure - label it bisexual and explore.
I think most are very inaccurate. Horribly so. And the descriptions are very vague-unlike proper psychology tests I've taken before, most LGBTQ+ quizzes/tests might be way off, and for someone who may be questioning their orientation, it might get confusing to them, as most websites differ, if not greatly. Actually, I don't think we should simply fall back on the basics-sure, it's much easier, but within them there are minorities that may apply more to other people, as compared to being addressed as LGBTQ+ as a whole. But for ease of reference, yes, LGBTQ+ is much simpler. And, there are some ignorant people out there...once a friend told me she was pansexual, and another friend of hers said: "What, how can you be pansexual? You like pans? Then I'm spoonsexual!" Totally wanted to give her friend a punch in the face. She sounded so arrogant; that's what pissed me off.
I tried calling myself bisexual. It didn't work well. I just felt extremely pressured to only be with men.
I just tried a couple for the first time and they didn't really help. I guess they could work for some people, but I think they're too generic and assuming in my case, which is why it didn't really work. For example, when they ask if you've ever felt sexual attraction towards the same sex, my answer would be yes, but that's because it's only been one person ever so it's not the same as "I'm definitely attracted to most people of the same sex" which isn't the case. There's just a lot more variables that can be there that they didn't really take into account (at least the tests I tried). ---------- Post added 28th Aug 2015 at 02:31 PM ---------- That being said, some of the questions did make me think about parts of my orientation I hadn't questioned before and that helped me so it was beneficial to take the tests.
With no disrespect to labels that are currently out there or those who choose to identify with the extra additive labels - I still don't find it necessary. I'm not stating that I have an issue with labels outside of Gay, Lesbian Straight, Transgender and Bisexual but I do feel that there are thousands out there struggling to label themselves. New labels are developed everyday, because there's just so many to choose from and so many that roughly almost mean the same as others. I think the extra labels puts pressure on those coming to terms with themselves to research everything through and to "pick" (for lack of a better word) one that best suites them. For example: Bisexual - attraction to both sexes Pansexual - attracted to anyone regardless of gender or gender identity Maybe I'm being narrow-minded but those are practically the same definitions. If you're bisexual you are attracted to men and women. If you identify as pansexual, you are attracted to people regardless of gender (male or female) - I reckon the term pansexual is worded a bit more trans-friendly, but no where in the definition of bisexual does it say they couldn't be interested in someone who is trans. The comment about your arrogant friend - That's just the general public being idiots. Nothing new these days, huh? Sorry, the alcohol has me rambling a bit right now. :eek: I'm not you, we all have different ways of thinking. I can assure you that you shouldn't feel pressured to date men by identifying as bisexual. The definition of bisexual means that you are attracted to men and women. Although you can categorize yourself as a bisexual with a preference towards one or the other, it definitely doesn't mean gay or straight.
I don't see how they're honestly that useful to anyone to be honest. If you're in the trans community, you've also got an array of tests that tell you whether you're trans or not. And both kinds of tests, whether it's got to do with sexuality or gender identity, just feel bogus to me. Most people, for one, go into those kinds of tests wanting a certain result. Like a Buzzfeed personality quiz, you're basically trying to figure out what kinds of answers will give you what you want. Now not all people do this but I'm pretty sure if you took a quiz about, say, which Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle you were, you'd probably try to manipulate your answers so you got the right turtle and same goes for a sexuality/gender identity quiz. You're having doubts about your gender identity so you try to get the quiz to indicate that you're probably trans. Another point a few people brought up is the fact that some of these quizzes rely more on stereotypes. Again, the gender identity quizzes. I'm bringing these up because I have more personal experience with them but I think they operate on the same principles. A lot of these gender identity quizzes rely on stereotypes like using your ability to parallel park to determine what it thinks your gender identity is. What you wear and how you act, etc, shouldn't determine your sexuality. Honestly, you're better off paying attention to your feelings, taking some time to think about who you are, and just going from there.
