HATE ME, originally uploaded by EmoFolie™ Chuck.

Tiara the Merch Girl recommends…

Sunny Drake is a gorgeous FTM (or, as he calls himself, “CARNIVALESQUE MAGICIAN!”) performance artist from Australia that has created some beautiful work around being transgender and dealing with family, relationships, school, and life.

I saw Other-wise twice this year and loved it – so much fun and randomness. There’s clever use of multimedia, flashbacks to school chants, Beryl the Femme Singing Puppet, and a sincere message to his family. You can see videos of his work Other-Wise and Genderqueer Seeking on http://sunnydk.blip.tv/.

» Recommend something. «

cahun05, originally uploaded by Lizzka.

You can call me… Kelly, Jess, Remi or anything really.

I identify as… a human. I identify as me, I fit into no box you’ll ever find. I wake each morning knowing what am that day, male, female or none of the above. Each day is different.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I don’t care what you call me, it doesn’t matter really.

I’m attracted to… anyone with a beautiful soul and a great personality. Anyone who is intelligent, and knows there is a time and place for everything.

When people talk about me, I want them to… ignore my appearance and see the real me and my actions. I want people to see the good I do instead of focusing on how I might identify my gender or sexuality, I’m more than that.

I want people to understand… that there is more to people than their gender and sexuality. That it’s not just black and white, there’re many shades of gray.

About Remi
I’m a 16 year old bio fem living in small town in Cali. I plan to major in Graphic Design. I’m an artist who wants to try all mediums possible. Check my stuff out a: simplydesigned.deviantart.com.

» Define yourself. «

Happy, Happy Halloween! 2, originally uploaded by ??? shemale ZERO ???.

I know it’s a bit late. :) -A

Ladies at lunch, originally uploaded by Fyre-bird.

Someone wrote…

I think of myself as neither male nor female, but I still try to figure out if other androgynous people are biologically male or female. I annoy myself with my hypocrisy.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

DiNERO asks…

So, I’m thinking about getting top surgery… The only thing is I won’t be on T. I pass enough without it. (I don’t consider myself FTM, I’m just REALLY GenderQueer)

Has anyone on here ever gone through with this medical procedure or even knows someone who has? What was the experience like during and after? What should I expect?

Will my brand new chest turn out the same way someone on T would? (with proper nutrition and weight training — well-developed muscular pecs)

Please post your response in the comments below.

» Ask Genderfork «

Apathetic, originally uploaded by ashe-villain.

You can call me… anything but baby…

I identify as… just me. I’ve never tried to put myself in a certain box, but most people have. I don’t feel 100% boy or girl.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I was a bit embarrassed once when a girl I was into thought I was a boy… oops. From then on I’ve felt more comfortable with her/she.

I’m attracted to… Attitude. Mystery. Geeks. masculinity in women. femininity in men.

When people talk about me, I want them to… not focus on the physical. Realize that I am dynamic and so are they. We don’t have to behave in a certain way, just because that’s the accepted way.

I want people to understand… being queer is not “cool” (even if it is fun at times).

About –
uber shy but outspoken, dykeboi, with interests in environmental re-education. 18 years of experience in suburban living, which have taught me to speak up, be geeky, and always be prepared.

» Define yourself. «

THIS IS FABULOUS!, originally uploaded by VFMarion.

VFMarion writes, “Male model Tyler Riggs modeling an outfit for H&M’s spring collection. Could it really be true that such a totally sensational skirt for men is actually coming to an H&M near you? Wouldn’t it be sensational if cute guys began appearing out and about it outfits like this one? I can’t wait.”

Emma!, originally uploaded by Naxwell.

Rin wrote…

At a family get-together, I heard my cousin reminding her four-year-old son about “appropriate” pronouns. Apparently he calls everyone “he,” regardless of sex. I was torn — it’s so cool that he does that, but it breaks my heart a little that he’s being taught not to.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

You can call me… Otis

I identify as… ..a severly confused individual. Genderqueer at heart. Female for my family and coworkers. Lesbian to my friends and girlfriend. Society haunts me. I care too much about the people who care about me. I am afraid to break their hearts… even though it is breaking mine.

I’m attracted to… Girls. Femmes, bois and genderqueers.

When people talk about me, I want them to… talk about my art. And how I am such a critic, to everyone but myself.

I want people to understand… That I fight with myself everyday. I want so bad to move to somewhere where I can create a clean slate. I moved around a lot as a kid and was able to change myself periodically… Now that I am old enough and have the job, life, girlfriend… I feel trapped.

About Otis
I’m a young photographer. Obsessed with sex and sexuality. Frustrated with the paths I have chosen. Too weak to steer away. Logic seems to rule over my beloved spontaneity. I want to be a cowboy when I grow up.

» Define yourself. «

Lego Crossdresser, originally uploaded by Kaptain Kobold.

Director Debra Chasnoff (of It’s Elementary) brings us Straighlaced: How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up, a documentary which looks at gender roles & expression through the eyes of youth. 2010 screenings still being added.

Micah recommends…

» Recommend something. «

the spectrum of feminity, originally uploaded by FrankieRoux.

Someone wrote…

I’m afraid that I have to straighten and gender-regulate myself to fit into the definition of “attractive” to anyone around me. I don’t want to be alone but I don’t want to hide.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Shawn asks…

My trans friend has been working on getting pregnant for some time now and I recently agreed to be his sperm donor. This month looks promising and I want to tell my family. I want them to understand that, though I’m not the child’s parent, I won’t be absent from its life either. How do I share the good news without making them think they’re getting a new grandchild/nephew/niece/etc?

Please post your response in the comments below.

» Ask Genderfork «