Inspired by this dorky exchange I had, thank u BountifulEggnog.

I want to know what your gender means to you, how you define it, what it means for you to “be” that gender and how you define it. Don’t fuss about ‘correct definitions’ or anything, this is about your experience, I want to know what it means to you. How you relate to that gender, perceive it.

Genders have a social construction aspect and is very subjective, so I think people’s subjective, personal views of their own are both important and interesting. Inquiring mind wants to know! interviewer

I'll share some of mine I guess.

I was a trans woman until the contradictions sharpened to a razor’s edge after reading Gender Outlaw and The Gender Accelerationist Manifesto. My brain got cracked in half. I have always hated the effects testosterone would have on my body, so estrogen was a given, but while I do identify with certain things that are commonly associated with being a woman… if nothing is inherently gendered, what even is a gender? niko-concern I had a whole little episode about it in the megathread once.

As I went on from there, I realised that while I like certain things about “being a woman”, equally I found I’d been sort of stifled by trying to fit into the social role. The women I have always related to most are the cis autistic women who basically yeet presentation in favour of dressing for sensory comfort. Almost kinda non binary, in a way… The more I interrogated binary gender in relation to myself, the more I dug up stuff like this. Also I didn’t really like that “woman” is associated with cis people a lot, I really like the trans part of my identity, feel a lot of love for it. I’ve felt freer and mentally clearer and truer to myself as a Non Binary Transfem, it’s cool and funny. What does it mean to me? It represents my goofy sometimes-androgynous presentation, my lack of cissie gender, how being neurodiverse influences my view, being a funny noody goblin. Share yours =)

  • ReadFanon [any, any]@hexbear.net
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    13 days ago

    Ahhh! How did I not get a notification about this comment (or how did I miss it)??

    Thanks for sharing your story with me. One day we’ll abolish enforced gender norms and you’ll get to be 7/10ths femme, 3/10ths masc, and 10/10ths mind your damn business - I’m just doing my thing. That’s a world worth fighting for.

    And thanks for the reality check. The last thing I was expecting was for my contribution to resonate with anyone since I don’t have it anywhere near sorted out in myself. I’m going to think on this a lot because obviously I’m operating under a false paradigm with the way that I value my own contributions. Your comment has inspired a precious opportunity for my personal growth, and I’m super grateful for your reply!

    • LocalOaf [they/them, ze/hir]@hexbear.net
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      13 days ago

      Aww, thank you! catgirl-heart

      I forgot about making the comment too, so rereading this all kinda helped me mentally get my footing with some recent uncomfortable stuff with some family relationships.hexbear-non-binary