Bayonetta and the "Fighting F*&k Toy"

As the title may suggest, I am going to tackle the idea of Bayonetta being a FFT (it's easier to abbreviate) because I don't see why being attractive and kick ass is seen as a bad thing. I know that Bayonetta is a hypersexualized woman and a lot of men find her attractive...but so what? Her sexuality is a part of her and she doesn't exist purely for the sake of the "male gaze" ( hell she was designed by a woman and it's pretty hetero-normative to imply only men enjoy her). Are we that concerned with female sexuality that if it's not presented in a puritanical way that it must be something we condemn? Obviously I know the hot button issue in the gaming industry is the representation of women in the industry/gaming, but I think Bayonetta is reflective of modern women; able to be empowered enough to not shy away from her sexuality and also be able to kick ass with the best of them ( well probably better because most people don't fight angels and witches) all while being true to herself. I find it offensive to reduce her or any other woman to a FFT because, well it's a reductive term. You can think Bayonetta is a horrible example for women, you can think that she is a perfect example of a woman who is in control of her sexuality, both are fine opinions; however, when you say she is a FFT then you're saying that's all she is, that she exists as eye candy for men and that her personality and motives are irrelevant. How is that any different from a guy seeing a girl in a outfit that shows off her body and then calling her a whore? They are both viewing a woman negatively simply because they act/dress in a manner they think is unbecoming.

FFT in action

I think the bigger issue at play here this sex negative ideal of women, that women must act and dress a certain way otherwise they are setting the women's movement back, I vehemently disagree with that notion. It may seem like it's in the best interest for women but it's not, it's in the best interest of a select group of people who want the be the gatekeepers of what is morally acceptable and what it is not...that isn't helpful at all. I personally believe that we should praise characters like Bayonetta as much as we do characters like Samus or Alyx Vance because women, like all people, are not all the same and should be represented in as a diverse a manner as possible. Women can be cold and stoic like Samus (I am not counting other M because just no) or innocent and warm like Yuna (Final Fantasy X) or totally sexual like Bayonetta, I don't see this as a bad thing because we are showing women all across the spectrum.

Diversity isn't bad

Bayonetta, to me at least, is just the latest to fall victim to a  faux pc ( political correct not personal computer) movement that claims to want to make things better but is actually doing way more harm. She is being viewed through the lens of sex negativity and being reduced to a FFT simply because she behaves in a way that is deemed inappropriate or because men like it, which is basically saying women shouldn't do things because men like it (even though, as stated earlier, that's a hetero-normative stance)...which is just as bad as saying women should do things because men like it. Maybe I'm wrong here but I think we should stop trying to police a women's sexuality and let them decide for themselves what to do with it. I also think we shouldn't purposely frame said negativity as something bad and instead support different types of women because that's how you help, by showing people that a female character that's dressed and behaves like Samus is just as good as one who dresses and acts like Bayonetta, because at the end of the day what's wrong with kicking ass and looking good while doing it?