# Should Trekkies be Allowed to Adopt **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 1, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072 "2003-01-01T19:10:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![lothos2002](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/df788c/32.png) [@lothos2002](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lothos2002)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/81 "2003-01-07T19:00:32Z")
I was reading in the newspaper yesterday an article about a trekkie that got thrown out of the military. I mean, I really felt sorry for the poor guy. He was exactly what our armed forces need and now he was suspended just because someone told his superior officer that he liked Trek. Maybe he should go into one of those camps that “fix” them, so that he wouldn’t think about Vulcans or Ferengis or Jadzia Dax anymore. If they could get help, maybe they could correct their “condition”. \*\* > [@](#): > > (man, I’m starting to spook myself with this) \*\* I agree with you LEGO:, I think I’ll stop now. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/82 "2003-01-07T19:40:46Z")
True devotees aren’t Trekkies. They’re _Trekkers_. I’m proud to say that my family has accepted me for a true Original Roddenberry fan, and even my Solar Solstice present was a backpack with the word “Trekker” on the back. (made by McKinley, although I can’t find an online link). Right now I’m debating whether to sew on a badge portraying the ship in all its glory, or go for the understated NCC 1701. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/83 "2003-01-07T23:18:53Z")
I just want people to know that I have no problem with \*Trekkies \* or \*Trekkers \* per se, its just I wouldn’t want to \*live \* next door to one. I mean, I have to think of my property values, don’t I? If God had meant for Trekkies to have sex wouldn’t there be something about it in TV Guide? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/84 "2003-01-07T23:19:56Z")
Trekkie Sex. Now there is an oxymoron! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/85 "2003-01-08T00:19:32Z")
[sub]Thread made threadspotting. Thanks homebrew. Eleven hundred odd posts on the Dope and I feel I’ve finally arrived.[/sub] You people who are both Trekkies and Star Wars fans make me sick. You just can’t make up your mind, can you? At least Trekkies have picked a side of the fence. I once dated a guy I thought was a perfectly normal Star Wars guy, and then he brought home Wrath of Khan and expected me to accept it like it was perfectly normal or something) ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/86 "2003-01-08T16:47:01Z")
I grew up in a household that was very supportive of the Trekkie lifestyle - my parents are not Trekkies, but they recognized that their children might be different, and sure enough, I and my older sister both showed signs of Trekism early on - as young children we watched a great deal of Star Trek (in its various permutations), and even role-played as Kirk and Bones. We were encouraged in these effort of self-discovery by our very supportive parents. Thus, I grew up without any inkling that being a Trekkie could be something that others would find distasteful or upsetting, and was quite open about my Trek-oriented feelings. It wasn’t until high school that I realized how many people have really negative perceptions (some would call them prejudices) of Trekism and the Trekkie way of life. This was when I started to closet my feelings. Going into the closet would probably have been harder for me if I had ever been truly immersed in Trek culture, but I hadn’t, and in fact really consider myself more of a “borderline” Trekkie, than a “hardcore” one. I hope that someday I feel strong enough to face these things, and admit to the world my Trekish leanings, but for right now, I’m just not ready to do that. It’s saddening to see how predominant unenlightened views of Trekism are - even in a place such as the SDMB, which makes an effort to fight ignorance. In light of that, I’d like to dispell a few myths while I’m here: 1. Trekkies DO have sex. Sometimes even with non-Trekkies. Or so I’m told. 2. Being a Trekkie is not inherently dangerous. Yes, many Trekkies are near-sighted, pallid, and socially introverted, but no cause-effect relationship has been proven between Trekism and these conditions. It is my belief that they are a result of disparities in the health care system, which tends to marginalize Trekkies and their needs. 3. Just because a parent is a Trekkie doesn’t mean his or her children will grow up to be one. Many non-Trekkies (like those who have posted in this thread) grew up with Trekkie parents, and had healthy, fulfilling childhoods. 4. Trekkie parents are NOT more likely to be abusive or neglectful of their children than are non-Trekkies. Unless the kids won’t shut up during the season finale. In which case, they deserve what they get. -Kn\*ckers P.S.: This is a gorgeous thread, **Dangerosa**. Kudos!! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/87 "2003-01-08T17:26:21Z")
What is it with Trekkies and Figure Skating? Heh. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/88 "2003-01-08T18:48:00Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by \*\*Kn_ckers\*\*\* > > Trekkies DO have sex. Sometimes even with non-Trekkies. Or so I’m told. Bah - they’re only lying to themselves! Secretly they’re fantasizing about Seven of Nine or Tom Paris. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![The\_Green\_Feather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@The\_Green\_Feather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Green_Feather)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/89 "2003-01-09T00:10:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Esprix \* > \*\*Bah - they’re only lying to themselves! Secretly they’re fantasizing about Seven of Nine or Tom Paris. > > Esprix \*\* Or Both! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/90 "2003-01-09T13:30:04Z")
Guys, guys. Give it a rest. Trekkie & Star Wars don’t really exist. It’s a continuum. Everyone falls somewhere between. Haven’t you ever heard of Kinsey? > [@](#): > > This scale was developed by Dr. Alfred Kinsey and his associates in the late '40s and early '50s. These results were supported in studies conducted by Masters and Johnson and other sci-fi researchers, though some more recent studies have reported lower rates nationally, with higher rates in urban areas. These studies collectively indicate there is a broad spectrum of sci-fi orientations - not just Trekkie and Star Wars. Instead of looking at sci-fi orientation as an either-or condition, Kinsey developed a seven point continuum based on the degree of sci-fi responsiveness people have to the members of the same and other sci-fiality. > 0 - exclusively Star Wars > > 1 - predominantly Star Wars, incidentally Trekkie > > 2 - predominantly Star Wars, but more than incidentally Trekkie > > 3 - equally Star Wars and Trekkie > > 4 - predominantly Trekkie, but more than incidentally Star Wars > > 5 - predominantly Trekkie, incidentally Star Wars > > 6 - exclusively Trekkie > > It is necessary to consider a variety of activities in assessing an individual’s ranking on the continuum: > > · fantasies · dreams · thoughts > > · frequency of sci-fi viewing activities · emotional feelings > > Therefore, many “Star Wars” would fall, in fact, somewhere between 0 and 3 because they occasionally think/dream/fantasize about Star Trek activities with other Trekkies and/or occasionally act on these feelings. I think this whole Star Trek/Star Wars thing is just an outgrowth of our suppressed modern society forcing everyone to self-identify one way or the other. I don’t like labels! We all have a little 'Trek & 'Wars in us! I’m not ashamed to admit it! ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/91 "2003-01-09T16:32:17Z")
I like a good Catholic adhere to the Pope’s opinion: Trekkies are welcomed intp the church, they also are God’s children. There’s nothing inherently sinful in being a trekkie as long as they don’t engage in sex with another trekkie. You people should learn to be less judgemental. I am disgusted. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/92 "2003-01-09T17:21:18Z")
No, no, **Mighty** - it’s ok to _be_ Trekkie, it’s not ok to _watch_ Trek (or, of course, do those _other_ Trek things - conventions, costuming, Vulcan salute, etc.). Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/93 "2003-01-09T18:15:33Z")
Espirx could start an “Ask the Trek Guy Thread.” Then no one would accuse him of being a one trick pony. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/94 "2003-01-09T18:21:57Z")
[off-topic]Gee, **levdrakon** , you sure know how to make a guy feel like chopped liver.[/off-topic] ---
**Author:** ![The\_Green\_Feather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@The\_Green\_Feather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Green_Feather)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/95 "2003-01-09T22:01:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Esprix \* > \*\*No, no, **Mighty** - it’s ok to _be_ Trekkie, it’s not ok to _watch_ Trek (or, of course, do those _other_ Trek things - conventions, costuming, Vulcan salute, etc.). > > Esprix \*\* So, love the Trekkie, hate the Trek? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/96 "2003-01-09T22:13:33Z")
It’s the only way to show them Vader’s love… Esprix ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/97 "2003-01-11T01:57:10Z")
I don’t see what the problem is. Some people are trekkies, some aren’t, it’s not a big deal. People should save their ire for the true deviants that want to adopt: the left-handed. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/98 "2003-01-11T02:18:34Z")
It’s Trekker, not Trekkie So, hate the Trek, not the Trekker would work better. I used to be a closet (jeffries tube) Trekker. I remembeer in Junior High, how I felt that I didn’t fit in when everybody in gym class would start talking about Star Wars, and all i could think about was Star Trek. I felt so dirty, and confused. Then, in college, i met a wonderful person. This person showed me how it wasn’t a choice, I was born a Trekker. Oh the thrill of finally feeling as though someone else really understood me. Then, my fellow Trekker and I went to see STV:The Crap That Shatner Made. I hated it. I felt as though it was a sell out of my newly embraced Trekness. My felow Trekker liked it. I was appalled. Then, my fellow Trekker went to an off campus meeting of the Ex-Trekker Ministries. Oh the pain of abandonement! But, I was out of the jeffries tube (closet), so I bite the photon torpedo and started fequenting Trek bars. Needless to say, I got TEV (Trekker Enterprise Virus). Still, I’m proud of who I am. I just wish I had done some things a little different. Born Trek, living a proud Trek life, won’t be sorry at all for being Trek when I finally do get beamed out to where no one has gone before… Say it now Say it loud I’m Trek And I’m proud ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/99 "2003-01-11T03:41:32Z")
Read all about each one of us in separate issues of **TrekkersOut!** magazine, on sale at a newsstand near you. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072/100 "2003-01-11T03:54:25Z")
Or the magazine _This Week In Trekdom_, otherwise known as _TWIT_. Get your bumper sticker here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trekkies-be-allowed-to-adopt/146072.md?page=6)