You can call me… Matthew, Matty, Moose… And the list goes on.

I identify as… A pansexual, liberal, nerdy-ass, Italian-American transguy.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … Male. Gender neutral work as well, but not if I am the only person you use them with.

I’m attracted to… Anyone… Give me a good joke, a nerd reference, a nice ass, or a pair of deep eyes and you’ll have me hooked.

When people talk about me, I want them to… realize that more that half of what I say is sarcastic. I’m not actually the asshole I seem. And on that note, I want to people to also realize that I am more than what I seem on all levels.

I want people to understand… that my gender is by no means the only aspect of me that is beyond the norm. Frankly, I like being that interesting.

About Matthew
A transguy who is desperately trying to get into culinary school, Matthew is too much of a nerd for his own good. He is fighting his way through his last year of high school in his little blue island in the middle of a big red sea, so to speak. He listens to rock, classical, a few of the more out-there musicals (Rocky Horror, Repo: A Genetic Opera, Avenue Q, Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and Irish music. He reads comics, and is a Joss Whedon fan. He also like talking in the third person.

» Define yourself. «

Caught, originally uploaded by Greything.

Someone wrote…

The other day with my friends, the group of us were referred to as “gentlemen.” It took me a minute to realize I had “passed,” because in my mind, what else would I be? Of course I am male, of course me and my friends are gentlemen… it made me wonder how often I pass and don’t notice because it’s just so obvious and natural.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

What fairy tale would you reinterpret? How would gendered roles change?

DSC_8425mod, originally uploaded by munchkinmaayan.

Ames recommends…

I found this video randomly and I think it expresses a nice handful of ways androgyny can be expressed.

» Recommend something. «

Someone wrote…

My three-year-old nephew looked at me and said, “You’re a boy, aren’t you?” I smiled and said “Kinda.” Then he smiled big and said “I’m kinda a boy.”

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Jess, originally uploaded by NVFH33.

You can call me… Em.

I identify as… a person. Despite what’s in my pants, despite what I wear, despite my voice, despite how I grew up, and despite which bathroom I use. I’m a person. I can fit in with the men, and I can fit in with the women. I’m just a human being, that’s all.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I tend to get one more over the other, but either are alright. I think those made up pronouns are pointless. Just call me whatever you’d like. It’s not your fault that pronouns are gender based. Call it as you see it. Just the fact that I get either is nice enough.

I’m attracted to… humor. And men’s jeans.

When people talk about me, I want them to… say that I make them happy, and that I am an original. That I don’t conform, yet am not obnoxiously eclectic.

I want people to understand… that I don’t care if they call me a boy or a girl. I don’t mind if they get confused, I enjoy the confusion. It’s what I aim for on most days. Just ask me questions if you have any, don’t make assumptions and talk down to me. Assuming makes and ass out of u and ming.

About Em
I’m still just a kid. I haven’t quite started my life yet, so my bio is short. I love music, sports, and sex, and at this point in my life, that’s all I really know.

» Define yourself. «

PJ as Dying Swan, originally uploaded by Mr Flikker.

, originally uploaded by mrnick_moran.

Someone wrote…

I have no gender. Everyone I speak to assumes otherwise and tells me to choose one or the other. One or the other of WHAT?

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

You can call me… Bri, Ashton, Ash, Ashley if you happen to be my parents

I identify as… A queer, genderqueer XX-chromosomed boy drifting somewhere in the transgender spectrum.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I prefer he or they, for reasons I’m still trying to understand.

I’m attracted to… Men in make-up, punks, curvy femmes, cute butches, intelligent discussions, flamboyant bois, Shane McCutcheon, artists, musicians, activists, dreamers, astrophysics fanatics, adorable smiles, people who smash “masculine” and “feminine” to bits with their everyday appearance. But most of all, an adventurous open mind.

When people talk about me, I want them to… be completely unable to describe me in well-worn stereotypes, so that they can only find words to talk about who I actually am.

I want people to understand… that there is no genetic coding in the Y chromosome which prevents the wearing of skirts. Gender expression is ridiculously diverse, colorful, complex, and fulfilling in anyone who is allowed to explore, so we need to be crafting a safe and open society in which individuals can realize their own gender identity.

About Ash
Ash is 16, and has identified as L, G, and B at certain points in his life, and currently goes with T and Q. Who knows what letters may appear next?

He firmly wants to transition to male, and then play around with gender all he wants, just to make sure everyone knows he’s still plenty queer. Plus he loves ballet flats and nail polish too much.

» Define yourself. «

100_7431, originally uploaded by darklydreaminghilary.

Someone wrote…

If I can’t “do” my gender properly, I can’t get help in an appliance store, I’m refused the use of a fitting room, and no one will make conversation with me, or even eye contact for that matter.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Erica (the photo curator) recommends…

The description for this Flickr pool says it all:
“this is a fun group, so get those frocks on & feel liberated & free!!”
You can find a little bit of everything here, from big hair and fabulous makeup, to sophisticated evening looks, to burly male Burners rockin’ out in a tutu. Hopefully this recommendation will inspire you to add your own photos to the pool!

» Recommend something. «

Under the tree, originally uploaded by AnkaKarewicz.

A response video to This Is What a Transwoman Looks Like.

You can call me… Chase Mckracken

I identify as… A Pansexual Genderqueer Lesbian Tranny Twink Boi. I’m basically a gay girl in a male’s body. I don’t feel trapped, but there are definitely things I would like to change about my body.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … It’s hard for most people to use the gender-neutral pronouns. I prefer it if people avoid using pronouns and call me by name. If they must use pronouns, I want them to use he and she interchangeably.

I’m attracted to… I’m mostly attracted to people with short hair, hot makeup, and a gender-bending appearance. I don’t care if they are male or female. I don’t care if they have a twink body, a cute scrawny build, a cute chubby build, or of they look like a playboy model. I can see beauty in all types of people.

When people talk about me, I want them to… Not talk about my gender identity… At all. They have no business discussing it like it’s that one thing about me that matters, especially when I’m not around.

I want people to understand… That there’s no reason to limit ourselves because of something stupid like what sex we are. Wear what you want, do what you want, live how you want, and anyone who has a problem with it can go suck a fat one.

About Chase Mckracken
Chase Mckracken is a student who loves camping, fishing, makeup art, and revealing the flaws in people’s logic. Chase’s favorite foods are Hot Cheetos dipped in cream cheese and Rockstar energy drinks.

» Define yourself. «

000pp8sc, originally uploaded by rachelinem.