SecondLife update

I'm currently playing as two different characters. Petunia Pinion is a character I've had since May and I'm very much attached to her. She represents a more creative side of me - purple skin, spritely, funky.

Recently I created Bailey Dumpling, a bit of a sex kitten... think Paris Hilton as a brunnette. The reason I created Bailey because, as I played with Petunia, I noticed that the majority of female SecondLife characters I run into are reflective of our beauty-obsessed culture. The female avatars on SL are created to appease the male gaze- tall, white, large busted, long hair, minimal clothing. I was very surprised to see this blatant heteronormativity and sex-obsession seeping into the "utopia" of SecondLife. I'd been under the impression that SecondLife is where you go to be someone else or to be truly yourself... Maybe my true self is a purple fairy. And maybe everyone else's true selves is Lindsay Lohan and Heidi Klum.

As I mentioned, I've been playing as Petunia for about six months. Aside from the occasional welcome message, I haven't had anyone strike up a conversation with her. I visited popular dance clubs, recreations of Paris and Rome, and malls, among other things. The only times I ever feel comfortable are when my boyfriend's avatar (Arturro) and Petunia go on virtual dates or when I visit a philosophy island. (I came across a discussion island a few days ago that is mostly scholarly with very unusual and interesting avatars.)

On the other hand, I've played as Bailey only a few times and she gets LOTS of attention from male avatars. I've frequented the same establishments (except the philosophy island) and do not initiate conversation. Before long, male characters are asking me to dance, messaging me privately, and asking to leave the dance club with them (presumably to find a place where our characters can simulate sex acts). I'm very reluctant to play as Bailey. I really do not like the attention. Petunia flies under the radar so easily. I can explore different regions with her without anyone accosting me. Bailey attracts unwanted attention... Go figure.

I have also created a very non-descript male avatar named Hawk Henhouse. I plan to play as him in the next week or so and see what I find.