“self portraid” submitted by Jack, the model and photographer.

what cool looks like, originally uploaded by catherine.roach.

You can call me… Ace.

I identify as… a transgendered male and a dyke.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I prefer male.

I’m attracted to… women, gay men, transguys, in between, people.

When people talk about me, I want them to… be trying to educate others.

I want people to understand… that people come in all shapes, sizes, identities, genders, ways of expression, and that no one is going to fit into society’s little box that we continue to shove people into.

About Ace
I am a young person just trying to find my place in the world. Trying is the key word because I don’t think anyone truly ever finds themselves fully.

» Define yourself. «

What is Love Without Lust?, originally uploaded by Neon Darling.

, originally uploaded by Justine.Vlada.

A reader asks…

I have had these weird feelings about wanting to being a guy. I have never felt this way before and have always loved my body. I thought I was transsexual, but the other day I dressed up girly and felt like myself again. It made me feel good. I tried to dress masculine again and couldn’t even get myself to look at the men’s clothes.

Uncontrollable crying, feeling empty, and not feeling like myself seem to lead me to believe that I have major depression. So is it possible that being depressed made me feel these unfamiliar feelings? How do I feel confident and beautiful again?

You can call me… Aurel

I identify as… a sentimental transfag. Now, that’s a relief, after 20-odd years of tormenting myself with beside the point (but downright painful) questioning : “I’m a severely confused bisexual unable to cope with it,” leading to “I’m a gay boy trapped inside a girl’s body and it’s freaking me out because there doesn’t seem to be anybody out there like me, and my, is it dark and lonely, in that closet.”

I’m also a Drag King performer – which has helped me a great deal to come out of the aforementioned – and a Punk (forever!).

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I ain’t bothered. I’m she to some and he to others; to myself I am, depending on mood and circumstances, he, she, both, or neither.

I’m attracted to… other self identified homo F-to-Whatevers. For me, it’s not a body thing, but a community of longing.

When people talk about me, I want them to… feel free to say what they want. I have no control over other people’s opinion. Some folks will take you as you are and appreciate you, some won’t. That’s life. Now, if you want to talk WITH me, as long as you remain civil and earnest, we’ll get on fine.

I want people to understand… that we’re anything but frivolous. That we’re not just… bodies. But Human Beings.

About Aurel
Writing. Rock and roll. WW1. Brussels. PASSION. Coming to terms…

» Define yourself. «

“Trying New Things” submitted by CC, the model and photographer.

“As of right now, I’m a cisgender female who’s interested in acting as an ally to those rebelling against the gender binary. However, I’m also a feminist who’s really interested in the idea of gender as performance. Out of curiosity, I may have nicked my dad’s dress shirt/suspenders from his closet to try drag for the first time… there were a lot of other photos, but these three were the ones that I felt kind of encompassed what I was trying to explore…. this is just for you, genderfork! I love you & everything you do!”

K recommends…

A beautiful freak-folk/electronica song about the idea of humans being of “two spirits.” The video features the genderqueer members of the band in drag.

» Recommend something. «

“Binding” submitted by Ajay, the model and photographer.

3.27.10, originally uploaded by sugarysalvation.

Someone wrote…

Some days I wish I could set my gender on Facebook to “It’s complicated.”

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

You can call me… Anna

I identify as… A feminine male in a female body, who doesn’t exactly know anything for sure.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … He or she will do just fine.

I’m attracted to… Feminine men and women who like to read books.

When people talk about me, I want them to… Respect my thoughts and feelings, and understand that not everything I am has to do with my gender identity.

I want people to understand… That I feel comfortable with who I am, and that who I am is not something that will change unless I want it to.

» Define yourself. «

, originally uploaded by sp00kyfish.

“What’s down there isn’t up here” submitted by Carol, the photographer.

“A public bathroom sign in Vancouver is captured in a different lens.”

A reader recommends…

Alix is a transguy struggling against a limited and restrictive healthcare system. Genderfailz #1 is written about his struggle with depression while he waits to be assessed for hormone therapy. The tedious shuffle of bureaucracy is almost too much to bear, and when his appointment finally arrives, Alix discovers that the one gender specialist in Alberta may not agree with his choices. Genderfailz explores the area between and outside of male and female, and shows through first-hand experience just how limiting gender can be.

» Recommend something. «

nintendo ds, originally uploaded by Vanilla Monkey What?.