...That may or may not be the case, but there is a DISTINCT difference between a stout, porter, and black IPA. Don't believe me, taste them side by side...
<snip>
Some people treat it as thought the decision is life or death or would create world peace! RDWHAHB people!!!!
It's all up to individual interpretation...different brewers make various beers in different ways, so the differences one would detect in a comparison tasting would depend on who made the beers. One man's Porter can indeed be another's Stout and vice-verse...and black IPA
can absolutely fall into either category (or into others as well...I mean, dark, hoppy ale is nothing new). Nothing's carved in stone.
When entering into competition, best thing to do is just
put it where it best fits according to the competition guidelines, regardless of what
you actually call the beer. I think Dave's advice is right on the money, as is Gordon's suggestion.
Really, a stylistic labels is artificial and largely meaningless in the big picture. Far too much emphasis is placed on it these days.
So yes...as far as
RDWHAHB goes, I say... "Amen!"
Anyway, I agree with Lew Bryson, who has suggested:
"Make beer
with style, not
to style."
Sounds like sage advice to me.

(and damn....I wish I'd come up with that...it bespeaks my philosophy so precisely!!!)