i’ve seen some commentary that the asexual triangle symbol is inappropriate because it is “based on” the pink triangle that was originally a symbol that homosexuals were forced to wear during WWII. the argument is that, because asexuals were not targeted by the nazis, it’s not appropriate to use an upside-down triangle as a symbol. according to AVEN, the asexual triangle is not based on the pink triangle. what are your thoughts?

anagnori:

People have been arguing about this since at least 2002, and the triangle’s creator David Jay has pointed out other issues with it as well. Here, have a post that lays out both sides of the debate clearly.

I’d rather not get involved in this argument, except to point out there are actually several different asexual triangles, and I’ve only ever seen the first one get criticized. That triangle is also associated with AVEN, and I don’t see it as often on Tumblr and in other asexual communities.

Personally, I don’t like the triangle because it reminds me of a pelvis and pubic area. I dunno, maybe I’m just seeing weird things nobody else sees, but it makes me uncomfortable enough not to use it.

I acctually have less problems with the aven/asexual triangle than the pink because it doesn’t claim to be based on a holocaust symbol, especaily considering why the tringle was used in the first place. And other than for remembrance I’m not keen on the use and reclaimation of symbols used by the nazis.

Its worth remembering that the inverted triangle shape itself is reminisent of all holocaust victims not just queer ones. Queer people do not have sole claimant over the triangle as a holocaust symbol. Or you know a shape, as its basic geometery and no ones telling people they can’t use triangles.

Given that there is no critisism of lgbt who wouldn’t have been persecuted under the nazi’s using the pink triangle and also no critisism of the use of the black triangle by queer women from within the queer community it’s incredibly suspicious to me that there is critisim of the use of a triangle by asexual people, even if it was based off the pink (which it isn’t anyway)

You don’t get to use the deaths of millions of people as a retorical tool ever, but certainly not at the expense of another marginalised group. And you don’t get to claim a connection to holocaust victims only when it suits your personal agenda against someone else, especailly if the history you are envoking otherwise has no effect on your life.