Photo 311, originally uploaded by Thirdstitch..

Morgan wrote…

In Spanish class last year, we were told to choose Spanish names. I chose Miguel. When I announced my choice, the teacher told me to choose a girl’s name. I refused and ended up with no Spanish name at all. After that day, a war ensued between my teacher and I. I signed all my papers Miguel and used the name in all the speaking exercises. After a couple months, she began to refer to me as Miguel. I won. Although I won, the war still troubles me. I just can’t understood why it mattered so much to her, why I couldn’t just have the name I wanted.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Hey Beautifuls,

In case you haven’t already slyly discovered it from our sidebar, we have a LIVELY wonderful community going on over at http://www.facebook.com/genderfork. It’s an auto-generated feed of the content from this blog PLUS the content from our Twitter feed (displaying as “status updates”) PLUS whatever random photos and links people fans are contributing with Facebook’s tools.

My favorite part, which is harder to replicate in a blog or Twitter feed right now, is the “Like” button. When the other volunteers and I scan the page and see “23 people liked this” under a post, we know we’re onto something. Please keep giving us this awesome feedback.

PLUS it’s easy to find and connect with other Genderforkians in the land of Facebook. If someone strikes your fancy, try adding them as a friend and including a note that says “Hey, I found you through Genderfork… you seem awesome! I’m _____. We have a lot in common.” Or, you know, something phrased less awkwardly than I would say it.

Anyway, come play! http://www.facebook.com/genderfork

Love,
Sarah Dopp
(the quiet happy founder of this here community space)

edited_dsc_0652, originally uploaded by Matthew Brindle.

A reader recommends…

This is a pretty awesome personal video by a really really awesome vlogger who talks a little about how he views his gender.

[Charlie, the vlogger, is a Genderfork reader favorite. See also 2 Hot Transexuals Finally Give Some Answers!]

» Recommend something. «

You can call me… whatever you’d like. I often go by Owen or Oliver, but I’m not sure if either is permanent.

I identify as… a female-bodied human being who desires a male body and whose gender varies with the clothes I put on.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I’d prefer masculine pronouns, but gender-neutral ones are fine too and I can live with female pronouns.

I’m attracted to… people, mostly. I’m more attracted to guys, but androgynous individuals and women, too. I’m not picky. I connect especially well with geeks and intellectuals. I’m also attracted to words. But in an unsexualized way.

When people talk about me, I want them to… forget about my bits and think of me as a person.

I want people to understand… they should stop trying to cram everything into two narrow categories and appreciate variety. We’re all just people, regardless of our gender and gender presentation. Just because I enjoy wearing dresses does not automatically make me a girl.

About Owen/Oliver
I’m a massive geek. I watch a lot of TV, read a lot of books, play a lot of video games, read a lot of comic books and read some manga. I’m very rooted in fandom.

» Define yourself. «

??? ???? ????"? ????? ??? ???, originally uploaded by tamir lederberg.

(as a side note, I’ve totally made this joke at pool parties more times than I’d care to admit. <3 – Adisson)

Someone wrote…

I give bigger tips to people who gender me correctly. Then I feel guilty because others had no way of knowing.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

You can call me… a well-dressed mess.

I identify as… half male, half androgynous. Depends on the day I suppose.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I’m biologically male and therefore am more comfortable using male pronouns. I love the idea of unisex pronouns though, just not for me.

I’m attracted to… different things. Biologically speaking, it doesn’t matter much to me. Thin androgynous men with a cigarette in their mouth; girls with knee-high socks. Surprise me. I’ll like you even better if you’re wearing black nail polish and skinny jeans. Bonus points if you’re obsessed with Lady Gaga or Hello Kitty.

When people talk about me, I want them to… keep it cute or put it on mute. It never hurt anyone to be nice (:

I want people to understand… that you’ll never know until you’ve tried.

About a well-dressed mess
I spend 45 minutes every morning getting ready for school, and I prefer daydreams to reality. I wear my pants reaaaaaaaaaaal tight.

» Define yourself. «

You can call me… Diane

I identify as… a living being. Pretty fluid in everything. Biologically female, which is fine with me. Sometimes I’m not even sure what to identify as, myself (now is one of those times), but that’s okay, too.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … as a general rule, the “she” family is fine and dandy. I would be deeply flattered if someone were to use “xe” or another gender-neutral pronoun for me, though.

I’m attracted to… Emotionally? Anyone kind and understanding and funny and beautiful. Physically? Smiles. Androgyny. Sexually? The female body.

When people talk about me, I want them to… listen as well as speak– there always has to be a balance.

I want people to understand… that diversity is one of the most beautiful things, and appearances aren’t everything.

About Diane
I draw, I write, and above all, I want to teach middle schoolers how to love learning, which is what I’m going to college for, now.

» Define yourself. «

no gender rules, originally uploaded by gretchmd.

, originally uploaded by alvelynalko.

Nitonale recommends…

This is for the geeks, nerds, and Trekkies out there.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 5 Episode 17 “The Outcast” involves an androgynous race called the Genai. Conversations in this episode explore male/female gender roles, the pros and cons of genderless society, homosexuality, and the attitudes of various crew members.

I found it very interesting that such an awesome show could also explore awesome and confusing topics. A must see for Star Trek fans. Even if you don’t like Star Trek or space age shows, you should give this a watch. It made me pretty happy. :)

» Recommend something. «

You can call me… Eric

I identify as… Trigendered Aspie (with Asperger’s Syndrome)

As far as third-person pronouns go, … Person as in “Eric is a good person” instead of man, guy, boy.

I’m attracted to… masculine non-binary gendered women. It’s hard to explain why, I go completely on my feminine side.

When people talk about me, I want them to… respect me for who I am personality-wise and not criticize much on my gender and attractiveness.

I want people to understand… That there are transgender people who are not male or female and don’t want surgery. They’re called non-binaries, and I hope that someday they will be treated with more respect, support in society and awareness.

» Define yourself. «

cockette, originally uploaded by Alex David Palmer.

William wrote…

Getting my pronoun right should be easy. I have a boy’s name, I look like a boy, I dress like a boy. Having known me for years as a girl might make you have to think before you speak but most people can and do get used to it in a couple of months. What annoys me is when people who NEVER knew me as a girl but happen to know I’m trans get it wrong… It’s not difficult.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Holy McGrail doing her thing.

Perfect Gentleman, originally uploaded by BlackAcanthus.

Fran recommends…

Nolan Natasha is this awesome trans MC from Toronto. He talks a lot about a lot of different things—his transition, his gender, other people’s reactions to his identity, as well as things like sexual assault, relationships, and life in general. He says some really deep things, like: “Are you sure that you don’t want to be a guy? I don’t know a**holes, I can’t decide. I’m just 5, 10, 12, 13. It’s just a baseball cap and some rolled up jeans, if it corn cob and a button nose, would that mean I was made of snow?” and some really deep but also hilarious ways of describing gender, like “I can’t decide whether I’m hard or if I’m wet, but I guess I’m both.” His pretty bare beats make his amazing lyrics really stand out.

» Recommend something.

You can call me… Alix, but I’ll answer to Mars (among most anything else you can come up with)

I identify as… a biofem genderqueer

As far as third-person pronouns go, … i’ve only really gotten female ones, but i much prefer male.

I’m attracted to… intelligence, preferably if it’s carried in a girl’s body. I could easily go for other genderqueers too, though.

When people talk about me, I want them to… leave their ignorance on the bedside table when they wake up, and remember whatever they say, it’ll probably get back to me.

I want people to understand… that just because I go to an all-girls catholic school, it doesn’t mean that I’m any of the above. I just haven’t the heart to correct my parents.

About Alix
Mars is in eleventh grade at an all-girls school in Canada. He doesn’t appreciate wearing the skirts, but he loves all the friends he’s made there, especially those who use the right pronouns. He’s an artist of all sorts, and plays drums, though he’s not so musically inclined (talent-wise, anyway). If he could get one friendly message through, it’s that even if he chooses to wear makeup, and (god forbid) switches his bindings for bras on rare occasions, it doesn’t mean he’s automatically female.

» Define yourself. «