binding 2, originally uploaded by citymorningblue.

SMBG wrote…

“That which is often expressed and understood by the term ‘gender’ in the end amounts to the self-emancipation of the human person from creation and from the Creator,” the Pope said.

Thank you, Pope Benedict. As an atheist I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Do you have any similarly-awesome quotes that you’ve held onto?

(p.s. SMBG, do you know where you got this? ~SD)

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

goodhandys8, originally uploaded by tgirl_mary.

Someone wrote…

I love this site. I needed to find this site. I’ve been looking for this community for a long time – my whole life? – and only found your site today. It feels like coming home. Thank you. I’ll find a picture & give you more info later. For now, I’m just basking.

I am *so* happy where this project is going. Thank you for shaping it with me. ~SD

What are you thinking about gender right now?

page18, originally uploaded by sublimefruitcake.

joe g (NH comic book nerd) wrote…

i stumbled on a very interesting way of tackling gender questions today in a very unlikely place – a mainstream superhero comic book. (written by Joss Wedon, he of “Buffy” notoriety)

http://marvel.com/catalog/?id=10425

in it, a self-identified lesbian has a relationship with a shape-shifting gender-neutral alien that has both male and female human forms. one line that really grabbed me was this – (paraphrasing) “when i said i was a lesbian, [alien character] didn’t even blink. i think she was too busy learning to be human to notice what the rest of us think is unusual or improper.”

i’ll take a closer look at this and report back with more.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Mystery, originally uploaded by karohemd.

Jude wrote…

People are so hung up on sexism. People see how i am dressed and immediately make assumptions about if i support or reject sexism, and what social class i belong in, and then they decide if they are comfortable around me based on those assumptions. It seems that my sexuality is the second or third thing they judge.

How do you make assumptions about sexism?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Ephebe, originally uploaded by Dwam.

Someone wrote…

A friend recently announced that he would start transitioning. I was a little confused by this. I’ve looked up to him for a while, in part because he seemed so comfortable with himself, a fifty-something queer leatherman. Now he shows up at play parties in mesh tops and sarongs instead of black jeans and sleeveless t-shirts. I guess I’m wondering, was what I liked about him in the past a false front? Maybe I just need to readjust my thinking.

Ever been in a similar spot?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Cabelo, originally uploaded by Nina Godinho.

Someone wrote…

I’ve been thinking lately about how I used to be such a bloke… into drinking beer, playing video games and tinkering with computers with my mates.

Now days I’m so femme I wore make up out today, and watched a dance movie, and wanted to buy that cute purple t-shirt and black skirt combo.

Back then the world saw me as a girl, but now I’ve been on testosterone shots for long enough for the world to see a boy.

Maybe I’m always gonna be perverse?

What are your twists?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Expanding this site to support discussion has put a lot more maintenance work on my plate, and it’s important to me that this conversation becomes sustainable. Would you like to help?

If you’re interested in volunteering a few hours a week for Genderfork, please email me with a little info about yourself, what this site means to you, and what you might like to help with.

Areas where you could become a Contributing Curator include:

– Photos
– “Think out loud” submissions
– Profiles
– The Twitter feed
– Finding other neat stuff to blog about
– Community resources (listing blogs, forums, books, etc)

I’d also welcome some “web street team” help spreading the word to sites/communities that should probably know about this space. Personally, I’ve done zero marketing (besides telling photographers when I post their work). You all just found this naturally.

You would be publicly credited for the work you do (this site is now getting over 2,000 unique visitors a month). And I’ve heard rumors that I’m fun to work with. ;)

Thanks and love,
Sarah

sarah at genderfork dot com

You can call me… Charlotte, or Avery, or Chavery!

I identify as… gender-neutral? Pre-trans? I am transitioning. I was a lesbian. I’m not quite a guy yet, but now I’m sort of in-between.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … people can still use the female ones for now, since that’s how everyone knows me and I’m just at the beginning of my transition. Eventually I want them to use male pronouns, though. And they can use gender-neutral ones if they want, I guess. But those are kind of confusing.

I’m attracted to… women, mostly. I’ve been known to like a couple of other transguys, though. And I’ve liked a few male-bodied people too. I don’t know. I guess gender doesn’t really matter. Right now I’m in love with a certain lady. She’s a femme.

When people talk about me, I want them to… not try to mentally label me. I want them to try to ignore my sex and to be open-minded.

I want people to understand… that gender, like sexuality, can be fluid and can evolve and change. Just because I was born and raised a girl doesn’t mean I have to remain one forever.

About Charlotte / Avery / Chavery
I’m Charlotte, but eventually I will be Avery! Therefore, some people call me Chavery. I’m sixteen and study visual arts at a Canadian arts high school. I have a passion for apple juice and chocolate. I have a femme Friend With Benefits who I love love love!

» Define yourself. «

monster energy, originally uploaded by woolyarms.

1, originally uploaded by FrazerFace.

Someone wrote…

I’m trying not to let it bother me, but when I tell my grandma about my buzz cut, and the first thing she says is “Like a boy?,” it does kind of bug me just a little bit. It also makes me hesitant to send any pictures or go see her.

(I’ve gotten used to responding with, “Yep — just like cousin Jimmy!” But seriously, yeah, it’s hard. ~SD)

What are you thinking about gender right now?

through the glasses, originally uploaded by nocturnal androgyny.

Someone wrote…

I hate that it matters so damn much.

I’m a femmish queer woman (not so much heels/make-up/skirts, but girl pants and tops), and my boyfriend is FTM. I never pass as queer. Ever. Except occasionally when we’re together. And we can’t both pass at once: either he passes as male and I’m seen as straight, or I pass as queer and he’s seen as a butch lesbian.

I hate that I feel like it matters.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

, originally uploaded by Phantangible Photography.