No indication of Rainbow Dash's actual sexuality?

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

I've always been a bit annoyed by the theory that Dash is a lesbian due to her characterization. Not that I would have a problem with her swinging that way, but it's an unfair assumption to make that comes off as shallow.

[Truffles 2,033]

  On 2014-05-28 at 1:30 AM, SolidTwilight said:

Truffles, is your avatar taking a dump?

:lol: Haha, no. Though I did see sometime after I uploaded it that it did kind of resemble that!

It's a case of me not having the exact frame I wanted from that scene in "Ponyville Confidential" online at the time so I ended up tracing a new version, and was too lazy to add the desk. I gotta make a new pic soon....

Apologies for the off-topicness!

[The Coffee Pony 1,390]

Guys! This is Rainbow Dash we're talking about! She ain't got time for that mushy romance shit!

[Justin_Case001 4,907]

One of the things I love so much about this show is the variety of dynamic, non-stereotypical characters with multi-faceted, relatable personalities.  When I first discovered the show, I watched 4 random episodes on demand from season 4.  None were RD spotlights, so I didn't see much of her.  At the time, I honestly thought RD was male.  Then I started from the beginning and watched the series in order.  I paid close attention during FiM parts 1 & 2.  I wasn't positive of RD's sex until she was actually referred to with a feminine pronoun.  I forget when the first pronoun was used, but it was a ways in, I think.  It might not have even been until Ticket Master, I forget.  And for a little while I would occassionally slip up and say "he."  Now, of course, I'm used to her character, and she seems completely normal.  The point is that her sex/sexuality can indeed be a little ambiguous, which I think is a great thing.

 

What I love about her character is that she is outside of the norm and eschews sexual stereotypes.  She's progressive, and the show as a whole is representitive of a wide range of realistic personalities.  The show teaches kids that it's ok to be yourself, to be any way you want to be.  A girl can be a fashionista like Rarity, or a hardcore athlete like RD.  RD shows us that it's perfectly fine to be a girl, but not be into "frilly, froo froo" stuff.  AJ is similar, in that regard.  And the best part is that the other ponies accept RD for who she is, and her personality is never thought to be strange in any way.  They never give it a second thought.  Nopony ever comments on RD being strange or different, or masuline.  And that's how it should be.  She is who she is, and she's perfect.

 

At this point, I could diverge into the topic of unfair double standards, and my opinions on why it seems that it is generally more socially acceptable for females to do masculine things than vice versa, but this is neither the time nor the place.  Tell you what, if you're interested in that, you can read this: https://forums.warframe.com/index.php?/topic/202367-so-apparently-im-a-brony-nowhuh-well-ok-then/?hl=brony

 

Circling back, this reminds me of something I've often thought about.  Quick tangent.  I've often thought that best way to achieve true equality in our society would be to make the ideas of sexism and racism extinct.  Don't teach kids that these things ever existed.  Wipe them from our history, and simply teach new generations by example that everyone is equal.  Racism and sexism are environmental.  They are learned.  Once something is learned, it is difficult to unlearn.  Better to not learn such things in the first place.  In many ways, I wish we could do some kind of Shyamalan's Village-esque experiment; start a new society in which proper ideals are taught by example, and children are never told that racism or sexism ever existed.  I believe that if raised properly, children would grow up to find the very ideas of racism and sexism completely incomprehensible, and, if shown the truth of human history as adults, would scarcely believe it.  This is what we should strive towards.  By showing a person that women/blacks/fill-in-the-blanks were once denied rights or treated unfairly, it implants the subconsious idea that there may have been a reason for it.  Make the very ideas extinct.  Forget they existed.  Win The Game, if you will.

 

These are just radical ideas.  Easier said than done.  I'm not saying it would actually work.  The Village failed, after all.  This all relates back to Rainbow Dash.  The ponies don't acknowledge that she is different from the stereotypical norm, or a bit masculine.  By not acknowledging the fact, they teach that there is nothing to acknowledge, that she is just fine the way she is, everypony is fine they way they are, and there's no reason to ever think otherwise.

 

I would be fine with it if RD actually turned out to be gay, but it's probably best if they never indicate it one way or the other.  However, as they have had other characters develope crushes, it could be conceivable to have a storyline involving RD having a crush at some point.  I actually think it would awesome if they had her develope a crush on another mare, but ONLY if they did it as I explained above.  Do not acknowledge it as strange, different, or out of the ordinary in any way.  Have everypony accept it and not give it another thought.  Do not implant the subconsious idea that there could be anything wrong with her.  Do not even use any specific words to describe or label her orientation.  Do not acknowledge it at all.  She just is who she is, likes who she likes, and is completely accepted as is.  If it was done this way, I think it could work, and could teach an invaluable lesson.  But as I said, probably better to not go there at all.  Keep it simple.

 

I'd also like to point out that I love how they make RD's character a world class athlete who hold a number of records.  (e.g. sonic rainbooms, several records at the Wonderbolts Academy.)  In real life, most athletic world records tend to held by males.  It's not sexist, it's simply a fact.  If you look at Olympic and world records for fastest swim times or highest high jump or long jump or fastest running times, or even highest scores posted for things like figure skating, it's almost always men.  This is probably why men and women do not directly compete at the Olympics, or most anywhere in sports.  I love that they made the best athlete in Equestria a mare.  This is a great lesson for girls.  Aim as high as you can.  There's no reason you can't be the best.

 

In conclusion (DAMN this post turned out a lot longer than I anticipated), even though I probably identify most strongly with Fluttershy, Rainbow's dynamic, non-stereotypical, progressive personality and fascinating sexual ambiguity might just make her my favorite pony.

[MONO 204]

Personally, I prefer a heterosexual RD. I honestly am not in support of a homosexual/bi RD at all.

[websterhamster 203]

In a cartoon, or any TV show, unless it's specifically stated otherwise, you should always assume everyone is heterosexual. Especially in a show like My Little Pony.

[The Crimson Cross 7,532]

  On 2014-05-28 at 7:10 AM, websterhamster said:

In a cartoon, or any TV show, unless it's specifically stated otherwise, you should always assume everyone is heterosexual. Especially in a show like My Little Pony.

 

I doubt the MLP:FiM writing team would even be able to get away with making the characters anything BUT heterosexual!

Personally I don't really see the need for anything romantic in the show anyway.

[pony.colin 156]

For those who have posted in this thread and said that they initially thought Rainbow Dash was a male, I ask this, couldn't you tell right away she was female based on her voice?  I don't understand how people made that mistake initially ... actually no, I can believe that for other reasons, but seriously, her voice, couldn't you tell right away ? She never sounded androgynous to me 

[Justin_Case001 4,907]

@pony.colin: actually, no.  I think her voice is a bit ambiguous.  I honestly wasn't sure at first.  I also really love her voice, btw.

[Jammy Jellicious 16]

I've always disliked how people think she's a lesbian or whatever and I'm really pissed off  at the fact that people make such a big deal what her sexuality even is. I mean she's a fictional character, does it really matter? I also doubt that Hasbro would agree to make a character in a show focused for little kids 'gay'.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,303]

  On 2014-05-27 at 1:29 AM, Grapz224 said:

I honestly thought RD was a BOY for most of my first run through the series. (until about halfway into season 3 I realized she was a girl)

 

Personally, I don't see how anyone could mistake that cutie patootie RD for a boy with: 1. long eyelashes, 2. a feminine snout shape, 3. an occasionally squeaky voice and squeaky laugh, 4. gorgeous rainbow-colored mane 5. that would have to be cross-dressing during public events lol:

  On 2014-05-28 at 7:43 AM, pony.colin said:

For those who have posted in this thread and said that they initially thought Rainbow Dash was a male, I ask this, couldn't you tell right away she was female based on her voice?  I don't understand how people made that mistake initially ... actually no, I can believe that for other reasons, but seriously, her voice, couldn't you tell right away ? She never sounded androgynous to me 

Her voice said "girl" to me, as well; particularly when it broke or she laughed.  And she always looked like a girl to me.  But then, I've gravitated towards tomboy-types in anime / manga, and I don't rely overmuch upon a character's demeanor to indicate their gender (there are effeminate guys, and not all girls are girly girls).

[Pastel 7,630]

  On 2014-05-28 at 7:29 PM, PegaMister said:

Personally, I don't see how anyone could mistake that cutie patootie RD for a boy with: 1. long eyelashes, 2. a feminine snout shape,

When someone starts to watch the show, he can't know these are typical mare traits.

[Untitled Goose Q 5,138]

There will never be an out and out confirmation of any pony being anything other than straight, it's too risky.

 

 

  On 2014-05-28 at 7:38 PM, Blobulle said:

When someone starts to watch the show, he can't know these are typical mare traits.

I thought she was male, due to the way she acts.

Edited May 28, 2014 by The Questioner

[TheSupremeLeaderOfChaos 1,211]

Let's ignore the fact that Hasbro would never in a million billion years condone this, and get to my opinion.

 

 

[Thrashy 2,800]

I don't really care what her "true sexuality" is one way or the other. All I know is that it'd be a waste of time to explore within the show itself, whether or not they'd have the proverbial balls to actually explore a homo- or bisexual relationship; anyone who knows me knows that I find romantic subplots to be a complete waste of time.

 

Keep the show slice-of-life/fantasy/adventure oriented, pl0x. Leave romance to the fan shippers.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,303]

  On 2014-05-28 at 7:38 PM, Blobulle said:

When someone starts to watch the show, he can't know these are typical mare traits.

I disagree.  One need only compare the snout shape of RD to the snout shape of any other female pony.  By the time RD appeared in the very first episode, you'd already seen several female ponies and at least one stallion (Big McIntosh).  Oh, and the two "sirs" that escorted Twilight to Ponyville.  Also, In animation, I generally look at things like long eyelashes as being intrinsically feminine.

 

Also, the person I quoted said it took them until some point in season 3 to realize she was a girl.  So methinks they had ample time to learn the defining features of mares. xD

Edited May 28, 2014 by PegaMister

[I used to be a stranger 7,994]

This post has been redacted by the author.

Edited May 6, 2021 by Blue

[pony.colin 156]

  On 2014-05-28 at 7:40 PM, TheSupremeLeaderOfChaos said:

Let's ignore the fact that Hasbro would never in a million billion years condone this, and get to my opinion.

 

tumblr_moemjyFJhu1r3k1m8o1_500.png

 

1076439_1342407840944_full.png

 

That was so subtly thrown in that I don't think even Hasbro was aware that said scene was in that episode. 

 

Afterall, Sweetie Belle is singing, my mind is not paying attention to the background much.  I mean it could have been an outdoor speaker giving a lecture ... if not for the candles and the coffin off to the side.

 

Eyes: Oooh cute pony singing

 

Mind:  (several minutes later) ..... hang on a second, didn't she just rudely interrupt a funeral ceremony?

 

I wonder what the animators and storyboard artists were thinking when they drew up that scene. 

 

 

Sexuality on the other hand, has to end up being bluntly obvious if ever introduced, else wise it's purposely left ambiguous.

Edited May 28, 2014 by pony.colin

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

  On 2014-05-28 at 7:43 AM, pony.colin said:

For those who have posted in this thread and said that they initially thought Rainbow Dash was a male, I ask this, couldn't you tell right away she was female based on her voice?  I don't understand how people made that mistake initially ... actually no, I can believe that for other reasons, but seriously, her voice, couldn't you tell right away ? She never sounded androgynous to me 

Her voice was exactly the reason i thought she was a dude.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,316]

  On 2014-05-27 at 2:13 AM, SolidTwilight said:

well we can tell form this she is not 100% gay, so that is an indication of her sexuality to some extent.

There isn't some meter like a gas gauge or a Geiger counter to measure someone's level of homosexuality. 

 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

That's pretty gay!

 

 

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

@@cuteycindyhoney,Unfortunately my dear there is an scale of homosexuality-heterosexuality out there even though it's not commonly accepted upon the scientific community. 

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

This topic is almost half about sexuality and half about Rainbow Dash being a dude.

 

I will never understand how anyone thought Rainbow Dash was a guy. I watched the first episode back in 2011 when some online friends egged me on to do it, and even back then I knew she was a chick. I didn't need to be told.

 

Either way, I guess we all just interpreted her character differently or something.

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

@, You kinda make it sound like we're dumb for not understanding it... "I didn't need to be told..."

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

  On 2014-05-29 at 1:11 AM, nioniosbbbb said:

@, You kinda make it sound like we're dumb for not understanding it... "I didn't need to be told..."

 

I didn't mean it like that, but honestly how else do you want me to say that no one had to tell me?

 

I didn't need to be old.

 

No one had to tell me.

 

I knew all by myself.

 

All of that can give off that vibe of calling people dumb. No one is dumb because of getting a cartoon character's gender wrong. Heck, people thought Double D from Ed, Edd, n' Eddy was a chick for a long time and I didn't understand that either. If anything, maybe I'm the dumb one for not seeing how you can make that mistake.

[pony.colin 156]

  On 2014-05-28 at 8:25 PM, cuteycindyhoney said:

There isn't some meter like a gas gauge or a Geiger counter to measure someone's level of homosexuality. 

 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

That's pretty gay!

 

 

 

 

Actually .... a biologist, sexologist, zoologist etc, did come up with a scale to measure people's sexuality. 

 

"People tend to view heterosexuality and homosexuality as an all-or-none distinction.  However, in a large-scale survey of sexual behavior, Alfred Kinsey and his colleagues (1948, 1953) discovered that many people who define themselves as heterosexuals have had homosexual experiences - and vice versa.  Thus, Kinsey and others have concluded that it is more accurate to view heterosexuality and homosexuality as endpoints on a continuum.  Indeed, Kinsey devised a seven-point scale that can be use to characterized individuals' sexual orientation."

 

(heterosexual) 0:  Exclusively heterosexual behavior

(heterosexual) 1:  Incidental homosexual behavior

(bisexual        ) 2:  More than incidental homosexual behavior

(bisexual        ) 3:  Equal amount of heterosexual and homosexual behavior

(bisexual        ) 4:  More than incidental heterosexual behavior

(homosexual  ) 5:  Incidental heterosexual behavior

(homosexual  ) 6:  Exclusively homosexual behavior

 

 

- Though people understand people are not completely heterosexual or homosexual, might be true for some small portion of the people, but most of the people sort of fall somewhere in the middleish (not exactly in the middle though), most people who identify with heterosexuality will be to the right of the zero and most people who identify with homosexuality will also vary to the left of the six.  

 

You still have some cultural constraints in some areas that are still working to discriminate or discourage homosexuality.  Though I would say it's not as bad as it used to be in previous years.

 

 

 

@, In your defense, it's something like this? (inb4 I misquote Princess Lona on this and screw up this example)

 

  On 2014-05-27 at 12:15 AM, Princess Lona said:

This is a perfect bit of evidence that supposed male and female behaviours are just constructs. There are definite differences between male and female bodies (when taking into account only sex and not gender). You say that if you see a woman "acting like a man", the only reason it looks weird to you is that she has a female body shape. If there were actual behavioural differences between men and women, and if, for argument's sake there were no major visible differences between the outward appearance of male and female bodies, then a female behaving "like a male" would still look weird because the behaviour would be unnatural to her. But since it's just the shape of their bodies that makes supposed gender behaviour swapping look unnatural, then that perspective is a reflection of social engineering rather than natural instinct.

Edited May 29, 2014 by pony.colin