ive been reading a book that basically explains how so-called “brain differences” between the genders is the result of gendered socialization and not the cause of it. i honestly expected the book to be very cis-centric but its actually the opposite, the author stresses that testimony from trans ppl is actually indispensable because we’ve, in a sense, “lived both experiences”
more cis feminists should have this mindset
one of the first examples that she uses to introduce her point about how perception by others can shape a person’s performance actually uses a trans woman. it explains that as a certain trans woman became to be seen as a woman more and more frequently, the ppl arond her eventually started viewing her as being ill equipped for tasks that they did not bother her about pre-transition. eventually she even found herself underperforming in these tasks herself.
I knew it was this book before I’d finished reading the first two lines. Honestly this book is indispensible if you want to debunk any gender determinism people claim is science. I can’t recommend it enough.
(Bonus bonus: I am myself a neuroscientist, and the old white men mentioned above – who are not – could not have missed the point harder if they’d actively tried. Which. Maybe?)
In this op-ed, Jamilah King reflects on the significance of Lena Waithe’s haircut as it relates to gender ideals and homophobia.
Lena Waithe proved once again why she’s one of the most important voices, especially queer voices, in our culture during a red carpet interview with Variety this week. Waithe recently cut off her signature locs in favor of a skin-fade. When asked what prompted this decision, Waithe responded:
“I felt like I was holding onto a piece of femininity that would make the world feel comfortable with who I am. … and I said, “Oh, I gotta put that down, [because] that’s something that is outside of me”…If people call me a butch, or say “she’s stud” or call me “Sir” out in the world, so what? So be it. And I’m here with a Prada suit on, not a stitch of makeup and a haircut; I feel like, why can’t I exist in the world in that way?”
It had been roughly three weeks since the writer, producer, actress and creator of one of TV’s best shows, The Chi, quietly announced the cut to her more than 400,000 followers on Instagram.
In a follow-up, she hinted at the fact that the cut had deeper political significance for her when she posted another selfie titled, “Well…I did it.” This time she was rocking her signature snapback and throwing up a peace sign with the caption, “Gay as fuck.”
In the LGBT community, cutting your hair isn’t just a fashion choice. It’s often also about affirming your gender. It’s about letting the world know who you are, yes, but it’s also about looking at yourself in the mirror and feeling aligned with the person who stares back.
I can relate. I cut my hair off in the summer of 2016 after years of careful prodding by a supportive former partner. As a child, I constantly got messages from society and from my family that my hair was the most attractive thing about me.
Growing up, my hair grew to the middle of my back and was considered “good hair” by my family and the people around me. But I often hated everything about it, especially the tedious routines I had to engage in just to maintain it. I was always tender-headed, sensitive to the pulling, shampooing and blow drying that my mom or older sister would subject me to to get me ready for special occasions. I’d scream and cry but grit my teeth through it.
nobody ever talks about how saying non-binary genders don’t exist is racist as fuck
How?
many many many indigenous cultures have historically included more than two genders and to say that those genders do not exist is to say that those cultural traditions are invalid, and that only the imperialist gender binary is correct. which is racism.
This comic has a special guest appearances by my nonbinary friends :3 Sometimes I just go with the cleanest bathroom. or the one that has a wifi signal. or I just go whatever bathroom my friends use, to be safe.
The reason nonbinary people don’t exist in the media is because we’re cryptids whose existence is poorly documented and based on legends of yore
“I have heard tale of the ‘Non-Binary’ folk, they’ve been around longer than you can imagine.” Pappy Joseph said to a young child recently returned from a hike with a strange photo.
“Tell me more Pappy!” The child shouts, excited about this new revelation, until Pappy’s husband comes outside after making a shitload of cookie dough.
“Are you telling another poor kid about that silly myth?” Said Pappy James, still covered in butter, “Everyone know that Non-Binary folk don’t exist.”
“Don’t be so sure James, I have proof this time,” Joseph gets up from the porch and begins walking inside, “Follow me, both of you!”
Both Pappys and the child began almost running down the corridors of the large home where the Pappys live, until they reached Joseph’s study.
“I’ve found evidence from hundreds of historical documents about the Non-Binary folk, but there is one myth that stands among the rest.” Joseph brings a ladder around to a shelf on Babylonian and Enochian myth. He searches through the shelves until he finds a hefty leather-bound tome bearing a picture of the goddess Ishtar. Flipping through the pages, he stops on one story, headed by a picture of Ishtar in the underworld. “According to Babylonian myth, the Non-Binary folk were created by the Water God Enki to save the Goddess Ishtar from the underworld where she was trapped by underworld goddess Ereshkigal. They saved her by seducing the goddess and curing Ishtar of the ailments trapping her in the underworld. As a result, Ereshkigal cursed them to be rejected by humanity for betraying her, but for helping Ishtar they were granted the powers of healing, prophecy, and psychic visions.”
“Very interesting,” James said, “but why would that make them real? Just because they’re mentioned in some old book doesn’t confirm anything.”
“You’ve met Ishtar, James, she came for supper last year.”
“Just because goddesses are real doesn’t mean the Non-Binary folk are.”
Pappy Joseph smiled, “you are ridiculous James,” Before kissing James’s forehead, “and you taste like chocolate.”
The Pappys begin to leave until the young child speaks, “So wait, does that mean the Non-Binary folk are real?”
“Well kiddo, I guess we will never know, but it’s always fun to think about.”
The two Pappys leave the room, and all that’s left is the young child, who looks at the photo one more time before leaving it on the windowsill.
“Can we have cookies now Pappy?” The child yells as they run from the room. A hand of no discernible gender reaches through the window and rests on the photo. Seconds later, it bursts into flames, ashes blowing away in the breeze until none of the picture remains but a face. The hand takes the last remnants of the image as it retreats, leaving no trace it was ever there.
this is fantastic and i’m absolutely sobbing, thanks mate
Headcannon: the child is nonbinary
“I’m not crazy, I swear” Josephine says. Her hair’s a mess, there are bags under her eyes and she’s been wearing the same outfit since last week “They’re real! I know they are! I found this account that says-”
“Just because someone says something on the internet, doesn’t mean it’s true” her girlfriend, Lizzy interrupts “You know this”
“I know, but this account is…different. I don’t know how to describe it, but I know this one is real. And, I found a store recently that specializes in gender neutral clothing! Who could that be for, but the nonbinary?! No one else cares about the ‘gender’ of their clothing” she says frantically, fumbling with papers and sketches
“That’s great sweetie. But even if they are real, none of them are going to approach you smelling like this. Do me a favour and take a shower” she says, planting a kiss on Josephine’s forehead, before heading to the door “I’ll be making dinner, and if you get cleaned up, maybe you’ll get a special treat after.” She winks with a smile, then she’s gone.
Josephine sighs “I know they’re real. I know it. I just need proof. But she’s right. I really do need a shower” she says before getting up and heading to the bathroom.
Lizzy waits till she hears the water running before dialing a number into her phone. As soon as the person on the other end picks up, Lizzy says “She’s onto you. Some of your people have been getting cocky. She’s found accounts accounts admitting to be one of you.”
“I think I know the one your talking about. It’s Gaud, right?” A voice that’s sounds like nothing other than a river crashing over rocks in the moonlight
“Yeah. And their account has gained a following. If they keep it up, people are going to catch on, and your people will be revealed to the whole world”
“I’ll talk to them. I said it was fine when it was a small account, but it’s gone too far. I’ll kill them, to get the point across. Hopefully when they come back, they’ll have learned their lesson. Anyways, thank you for bringing this tho my attention. Continue to keep an eye on Josephine. Once they realize what they are, they will be unstoppable. We must make sure they don’t find out until the preparations are made”
“I understand” Lizzy says, hanging up just as her girlfriend walks in.
“Who was that on the phone?” She says, as she sits down at the table.
“Just a friend from work. Now, are you hungry my lovebird?” She says with a smile as she sets the table. She can only wait till Josephine can let their true self out of confine. Then they can rule together as it was meant to be
You can kill me but when I come back I’m going to be so pissed
in december 1889, alexander parvus, a russian jew who had become a german revolutionary (& later financier, it’s a long story), announced the birth of a son in the sächsische arbeiterzeitung, publishing, “we announce the birth of a healthy, cheerful enemy of the state”
wupacing 