Been thinking a lot about "kinning" lately in relation to the Self being a nebulous, unknowable abstract concept that can only be approximated instead of defined, and kinning as more a way to approach an articulation of the Self by saying "it's like this/these character(s)."

And speaking personally, for example, Catwoman was critical to my coming-out and a not-too-exaggerated summary of my thesis was about how every transsexual is kin with Frankenstein's Monster on at least some level.

Especially on the internet where people have so much more control over creating and crafting a specific identity, including using pseudonyms and character avatars (I say, glancing at my own) that people can come to strongly associate them with...

...I feel like it's a term and practice that deserves far less baggage than it has.

I see little difference between the laughingstock known as "kin drama" and the regularly scheduled flame wars and discourse that ensues whenever people treat (queer) identities as fandom, anyway.

I feel like for queer and especially trans people, this using of outside concepts and characters to locate their Self is common practice even if it isn't called or is only slightly different from "kinning" as widely understood.

What else IS this, y'know? https://twitter.com/draculavoice/status/1234598041002352643