In discussion in channel tonight, the oft-raised topic of "what is a Free Woman" came up. Not, "What is a Free Woman, according to the Scrolls," but "What is a Free Woman on online Gor, specifically IRC/Gor." Real-lifers may stop reading without prejudice at this point.

There were four women present in channel: two slaves, and two Free Women. In order not to sully the later waters, I offer no opinion at this point as to any qualification of that, except to say that one of the women has been close to Me for many years, and the other -- much to My own surprise -- is someone whom I don't know very well but oddly enough respects My opinions and channel.

I have given this issue much thought through My meager 6 years on IRC/Gor, and it occurred to Me in the pinnacle of egotism that I might pen a short essay summarizing My ideas. These are My thoughts, Oryx con Lara, about the question "What are Free Women on IRC Gor?" This is NOT an attempt to present what I believe or understand the MasterScribe (Norman) wrote, and then bolster this with myriad quotes from the Scrolls. That has been done, and done excellently, by Marcus of Ar, by KillerTrees, and by others from time to time.

No. My purpose (since this is Gor, I should write Purpose, capped-p) is to jot down some observations as to what I've seen and continue to see on online (IRC, telnet, MSN) Gor, in its many wondrous versions and shapes and forms. I do say at the outset that no one (except My property) should take these ideas as absolutes, and that I invite comments and criticism from responsible individuals.

Three terms which I avoid, by the way, and I ask that they not be used in response to this essay, are 'gamer', 'player', and 'subbie'. The reason for this is simple: these terms are not well-defined, their meanings change and shift as the Sands of the Tahari (ok, ok I had to get in SOME Goreanisms), but in any usage they are negative. I don't know the precise meaning of 'player', but I sure wouldn't like to be labeled one. Whatever it is. If someone would correct Me and provide strict, correct, and generally accepted meanings for one or more of these terms, then I would welcome it use, even as perjorative against Me.

I believe that there are six general classes of Free Women.

The first class I call the Capped Slut. These are women who, though they would never think of portraying themselves as slaves, enter channel and proceed to behave in a lacivious, openly sexual manner, but take offense when someone -- male or female -- sugests that they'd be happier with a neck ornament. Women who choose to behave this way do so for whatever reason, but they are not welcome in #the-Lara-inn.

The second class of Free Women are the Switches. These are women who are sometimes Free, somethimes slave, as the mood strikes or for as long as they can hold to one role or the other. Strangely enough, I have no objection to Switches visiting tLi, as I see this as merely fulfilling what they feel and are IRL -- switches, sometimes dominant/independant, sometimes submissive/slave. I will not bandy semantics here between 'slave' and 'submissive' and degrees of submission; when she is submissive, the Switch can be totally slave to suit even the most discerning of Goreans. One of the women who was in channel tonight is a Switch.

Third in the OcL Free Woman classes is the Bi/Femme Woman. She is always feminine, always capped, always consistant to her r/l feeligns, except her sexual tastes run counter to that generally accepted by Gorean Society. She, too, is welcome to visit tLi, without fear of compromise, putdown, or argument (to Her lifestyle, that is). We have long held in tLi that as channel policy We endeavor to accept others' as they are, and to provide space for each to pursue their life-choices so long as those choices are not harmful to or intrusive to others.

The next class often is seen in company with those of the Third class, but then again may be anywhere in any situation. These are the Male Women, women whose view of being dominant is to be as masculine within the Gorean mode as they can. They challenge, fight, many times abuse slaves and other Free People, and are tolerated at best in many Gorean channels, banned from many more. As long as the Male Woman behaves with respect towards other Free and their property, she is welcome to visit tLi.

The Fifth class of Free Woman is the Free Slave. This is a woman who IRL (in real life) is a slave, collared for the most part, and has a truly submissive heart and mind. However, for various reasons (Master/husband's wish, personal dislike of typing all those serves OVER and OVER and OVER for people who don't read them and couldn't care less if they checked the glass against their throat, hoping for quick release) which are not the purpose of this essay, when online they are Capped. Free Woman. They most likely will not own slaves, rarely accept serves, but come for the conversation and perhaps to be with a few friends. One of the women in tLi tonight was a Free Slave.

And the Sixth class is the most sublime of all: the True Free Woman. This is a woman who is never seen out of her Robes, has never (or not since she decided to be Free) begged a collar, is fiercely jealous of her Freedom yet posesses the ability to remain feminine and sensual (not sexual) at all times. I believe I have known five True Free Women to this point in My Gorean life, but I hesitate to name them here lest the other women I have known feel scorned, and We all know that Hell hath no fury, etc. Needless to say, I am honored when a True Free Woman visits My humble Inn.

--- // Oryx con Lara, the First of the month of En`Var, 10,153 Contasta Ar