As a noun: “Females are often uncomfortable being called females.” As opposed to “Women are often uncomfortable being called females.”

As an adjective: “The reported rate of sexual violence among female soldiers indicates a serious problem that is being insufficiently dealt with.”

I agree with most of what you said, but I think using male and female as adjectives is far better than the clunk. Additionally it can help break the whole people thinking of a trans woman as a “male woman” bs. (I have a whole rant about how the “sex and gender are different” thing is often used to ignore the biological realities of the effects of medical transition).

But for the most part it’s smoother to say and can make the fact that you need to mention that you’re speaking about a woman less of a big deal. For example “My cousin, who is a woman, has been having a particularly difficult time finding a girlfriend in her rural town.” Compared to “My employee, a female engineer, is particularly diligent about making sure our products are comfortable for people of a variety of body sizes”

Yeah, it does bother me, but not for the same reason. It’s something I associate moderately with terf lingo. But it’s a yellow flag and not a red one

The gays is weird because like so much terminology referring to queer people it’s reclaimed. And as with all language reclaimed in or near living memory the offensive use persists. Just like how “the queer community” is neutral as is “my sister is queer”, but “fuck you queer” or “I ain’t no queer” both use the word in its unreclaimed state, so too can “the gays” go. With it I tend to be primed for someone who is either familiar with the queer community or to hear some horribly offensive shit.

The thing is we got really good at reclaiming things in a way that I don’t know of any other group being as good at

Female as the adjectival form of woman is normal and ok. As a noun for a human it tells me you’re on one of a few varieties of bullshit

Ah I use isopropyl alcohol because I don’t come from the circus performer side of things but the bdsm side. I learned a more unique style of fire play when I was just starting out and was taught to practice on myself until I was certain I wouldn’t do damage to others or buildings

Oh then we should provide them with pep, prep, and condoms. It’s 2024 and Ohio has a queer health clinic with branches across the state that can be called up to help stem hiv outbreaks

My hair gets a lot of compliments but it’s probably the fact that I’m an extrovert with severe adhd so I can really struggle to shut up

Oh nice. I only have one real party trick and I’m pretty sure I’d get kicked out of a bar for it (lighting myself on fire)

Something like $100/week for two draws. But it was like 6 years ago in Kentucky

Honolulu

Also dose

I donated blood for many years, starting the first day I was allowed (mom took me). I’ve been an organ donor from the day I was able and am loud about that. And for a few months after college I sold plasma for money. It definitely felt scummy, but I think it’s ultimately a good thing, though it is selling part of your body to a for profit company at a rate that’s pretty bad. So the cons are really that it definitely feels seedier than whole blood donation and that the phlebotomists are worse. I can’t donate blood anymore because they gave me a track mark and I can’t risk my other elbow’s veinous access.

But it got me through a rough time

I’m seriously considering getting an “Ohio eats pussy” patch as an Ohio lesbian

That’s good. I want y’all to be visible and safe, I just really don’t want y’all to wake the dead riding past

It’s American bullshit.

You need food to grow tits

I hate Ohio klansmen

Yeah something like flashing or cycling cym on the back and sides. As long as it’s unmistakable it’s good. Noise is a huge disruption and it isn’t clear about location. Lights are

I believe in the right to make decisions you regret, it’s better than someone else making them for you