On the Gender

[trystinn]

Let me admit something to you all. I don't always understand what it is that you're all involved in. I don't understand what it is, why it is or even sometimes what drew you to it.

But what I do understand is that it's important to you. And you're important to me. I don't need to understand you to love you or support what you do. I doubt I'm alone in this, but I do realize I'm about the only willing to admit it. My world is pretty small some days and knowing you has opened new perspectives to contemplate.

I'm thrilled at this small victory against a dual-natured specification and I hope there are bigger ones in the future. In the meanwhile, while I adore being a woman and am proud of it, my listing will show Undeclared in solidarity with you.

*zen hugs*

Comments

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

I tell you what. It sure was a lot nicer to read this post than the one about three spaces down on my friendslist which was to the effect of "I don't understand you gender people and I don't want to and I think you're generally full of crap about the whole thing and stop whining".

So I wanted to tell you that I appreciate you. Thank you very much, indeed.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

You brought tears to my eyes, hon. So thank you! :)

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

Egad. I just read that post you're talking about, and OMG. I mean, I don't quite get it, either, but I'm not particularly interested in disenfranchising anybody because I don't get it.

Clumsy of me. But dang. Love you, fabulous monster. (I wonder if you could get Dreamwidth to add that as an option?)

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

Over there, you get "Female", "Male", "Other", and "Rather Not Say". In alphabetical order, no less!

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

Okay, cool! I suppose I should be aware that it is a mark of privilege, that I didn't even notice that.

(Marks that down on the "Unintentional Prejudice" list as a thing to keep an eye on.)

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Bleah! I'm about as cisgendered, straight, and femme a woman as you'll find anywhere, but I did the whole "change your listed gender to 'unspecified' in protest" thing, because I believe that while I may be comfortable in a neatly defined role, not everyone is.

Now, I won't use gender-neutral pronouns, but that's only because my inner word-nazi cringes at them. Not at the concept, but at the clumsily made-up words. I'll use "they" and "their" instead.

[erynn999.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your support! :D

[dbmyrrha.livejournal.com]

I did the same damned thing, and for the exact same reason. You posted my thoughts, exactly.