Teen Gothic

This is probably not worth a discussion thread, but I find it interesting how the reverse is usually true for most people trying to get into goth (ie loving the look but not the music).

For me, it's very, very easy to like the many branches of goth music (death rock and ethereal wave being my favourite genres under the umbrella). As it's understood, you can't call yourself a goth if you don't like the music. But are you a goth if you ONLY like the music?

I'm not a spooky person, but I can't get enough of the reverberating guitars and dreary melodies. The style can look very beautiful, but I'd feel suffocated if I dressed in the same style everyday.

I'm not looking to categorize myself in anything, but I was curious to see who else was in the same boat.

I've considered a lot of aspects of my personality to be in the niche, macabre and creepy side of things. Goth and Post- Punk rule music playlists. I'm obsessed with horror. Does a goth have to dress goth to be goth? I don't think so. What do y'all think?

So, i got in a discussion on another goth related forum of "dress codes" at venues. My attitude is "fuck you, i wear what i want, when i want". I'm more into "post punk" in general than strictly goth, and my manner of dress is typically more on the punk side of things or whatever weirdness i'm on at that moment (currently,: tie dye clerical/preist clothing. Im going for psychedelic ufo cult leader)
The issue is some people are pushing harder for dress codes at events and venues. I take serious issue with that. Why should i be obligated to wear certain colors or conform toa certain style of dress, when i only care about the music? I tend to have the urge to do the opposite of what im told, so if im being told i need to wear black, im going to rebell against it beacuse its just my nature. I thought my attitude of "fuck the fashion, its all about the music" would be the more popular, but apprently im in the minority. alot of people responded in favor of it. To me, that just seems hypocritical since this is an alternative subculture that arose put of punk. what does the reddit goth folk think. should one be olbigated to wear black at goth night? what if i WANT to stand out like a sore thumb?