The principal message at the top sets back acceptance for my trans friend.
By shooting for a distant objective that does not resonate with 90+ percent of people, we run the risk of arming hatefilled right-wing bigots. They can wave this around as “proof” that transgendered and non-binary people deserve entirely no rights.
Can’t we shoot for a “You do you, and I’ll do me” world where most of us cis people can enjoy our identity in peace – while extending the same respect to transgendered and non-binary friends who also want to just live life in peace?
Crusading against all gender norma and against all gendered language is not a sustainable game plan here.
I agree with what you’re saying, but i think there is value in pointing out how arbitrary gender can be. Like the whole conservative “what is a woman” thing, i think it’s good to remind them labels are generally more just a fuzzy category humans made up that shouldn’t be used to define who gets rights and who doesn’t
This is a common meme that’s not meant to be taken seriously. I don’t think OP is trying to literally spread that message. Someone else posted this example further down in the thread:
It’s up to interpretation, and I’m not sure how OP intended it, but “Stop using binary genders” doesn’t have to mean “don’t be a man or woman”. Once you add more genders, the system is no longer binary. If we assume that man = 0 and woman = 1, we can use the infinity of numbers between, as well as 0 and 1 themselves. Basically, if gender is a spectrum, there are no binary genders.
Personally I think we need to work on not seeing it as hostile at least as quickly as we do. It is very true that many are way too quick to impose a binary view of gender or gender stereotypes onto others. I was egged aggressively when I was younger both due to my androgynous appearance (genetic) and due to the fact I liked to wear “girly” clothing and had long hair (still do).
Honestly as an Agender it really felt shitty to be told constantly that I “must be a girl” because of stupid arbitrary gender stereotypes.
So I say we should be more open about gender, not to say that people can’t be a Man or a Woman if they identify that way, but that they are only if they identify that way. Gender stereotypes do not define us and we shouldn’t imply that they do, it’s dangerous and hurtful (it even comes back to bite Binary trans people too, i.e. transmasc femboys who get called a girl for wearing “girly” clothes).
The principal message at the top sets back acceptance for my trans friend.
By shooting for a distant objective that does not resonate with 90+ percent of people, we run the risk of arming hatefilled right-wing bigots. They can wave this around as “proof” that transgendered and non-binary people deserve entirely no rights.
Can’t we shoot for a “You do you, and I’ll do me” world where most of us cis people can enjoy our identity in peace – while extending the same respect to transgendered and non-binary friends who also want to just live life in peace?
Crusading against all gender norma and against all gendered language is not a sustainable game plan here.
I agree with what you’re saying, but i think there is value in pointing out how arbitrary gender can be. Like the whole conservative “what is a woman” thing, i think it’s good to remind them labels are generally more just a fuzzy category humans made up that shouldn’t be used to define who gets rights and who doesn’t
Absolutely, couldn’t agree more.
This is a common meme that’s not meant to be taken seriously. I don’t think OP is trying to literally spread that message. Someone else posted this example further down in the thread:
It’s up to interpretation, and I’m not sure how OP intended it, but “Stop using binary genders” doesn’t have to mean “don’t be a man or woman”. Once you add more genders, the system is no longer binary. If we assume that man = 0 and woman = 1, we can use the infinity of numbers between, as well as 0 and 1 themselves. Basically, if gender is a spectrum, there are no binary genders.
@Lux @TempleSquare one of those things where there clearly was no ill intent but the end result is far too easily read as having ill intent regardless.
Personally I think we need to work on not seeing it as hostile at least as quickly as we do. It is very true that many are way too quick to impose a binary view of gender or gender stereotypes onto others. I was egged aggressively when I was younger both due to my androgynous appearance (genetic) and due to the fact I liked to wear “girly” clothing and had long hair (still do). Honestly as an Agender it really felt shitty to be told constantly that I “must be a girl” because of stupid arbitrary gender stereotypes.
So I say we should be more open about gender, not to say that people can’t be a Man or a Woman if they identify that way, but that they are only if they identify that way. Gender stereotypes do not define us and we shouldn’t imply that they do, it’s dangerous and hurtful (it even comes back to bite Binary trans people too, i.e. transmasc femboys who get called a girl for wearing “girly” clothes).