Sx recommends…

This artist is confronting identity in a really interesting way. Meeting somewhere between male and female, between beauty and ugliness, and at once dangerous and vulnerable, the character created embraces both the inner goddess and the outer chaos of the universe. Through use of elaborate embellishment and decoration, what is arrived at is somehow a place of stripped-down need; a place of attraction and repulsion within all of us, the place that we need to hide most from others and also that we need most to be embraced.

» Recommend something. «

Sonia, originally uploaded by Maedusa.

Someone wrote…

I just watched the “Be Prepared” bit from The Lion King for the first time in years.

I never realized how big an influence on my mannerisms and gestures was Scar. Seriously, his motions and mannerisms can get so…queer!

Makes a certain amount of sense, since Scar was always one of my favourite Disney villains.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

You can call me… Ian.

I identify as… a female-assigned-at-birth femme transman who likes to occasionally crossdress as a girl and is spiritually female but sexually male.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … “He” or “she” both work. He in intimate relationships always, she in a spiritual context, and beyond that I don’t usually care. “It” would annoy me because I don’t identify as neuter. I identify as many genders.

I’m attracted to… people. I’ve fallen in love with people all over the gender spectrum. Emotionally, I usually prefer male-identified people, but bodies are just skin and can vary.

When people talk about me, I want them to… speak with understanding and love. So often we make assumptions about others and become angry and defensive too easily. We should be ready to defend ourselves if needed, but be readier to accept love.

I want people to understand… that gender identity can be a fluid thing. Not everybody fits into “butch male” and “femme female.” Not everybody who is genderqueer leans toward androgyny. That one moment I can speak as a femme male and the next a butch female and the next I am all and I am nothing.

About Ian
I’m a poor starving writer with a love for animals of unusual sizes.

» Define yourself. «

submitted by Qaiel, the model and photographer.

“Genderqueer masculine-bodied classical singer posing next to a piano in the middle of the day.”

Johnny asks…

How do I figure out if I really am trans like I believe myself to be? How do I take the plunge?

Please post your response in the comments below.

» Ask Genderfork «

submitted by Lynette, the model and photographer.

Drag King :: Mario, originally uploaded by gaelx.

Someone wrote…

Today, I convinced my friend that she does not need to be a man to wear a bow-tie and mustache.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Lese recommends…

This moved me to tears!

» Recommend something. «

submitted by Kitsune, the model. Taylor Hopkins is the photographer.

You can call me… Ash.

I identify as… Ash. :P If you insist upon fascist “labels” you might say I’m a genderqueer, androgynous, mtf-ish type person.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … can’t we just get rid of them? :(

I’m attracted to… It seems like I’m frequently attracted to other MTFs or FTMs, but in general I’m attracted to non-compliance with traditional gender roles, so any androgynous/genderqueer person can float my boat, personality/interests allowing. Also, goth/punk/emo people are hot. :3

When people talk about me, I want them to… complain about how my pant size is smaller than theirs. XD

I want people to understand… that gender is more of a social construct than a biological reality, and whatever utility it may have had no longer applies in the modern world; and that there is no moral justification for enforcing a binary gender system corresponding directly to physical sex.

About Ash
I’m a twenty-four-year old agnostic libertarian grad student who loves anime, video games, D&D, and golf. And I make cat noises a lot, which is why I picked a Halloween catboy pic for my photo. :3

» Define yourself. «

Submitted by Z, the model. Photographer is Al Janae Hamilton

“My debut drag king performance at Rivers of Honey in NYC.”

A Life of horrors, originally uploaded by Saídy – Perseu’S.

Someone wrote…

I look at my daughter and wonder— would I be a better mom than a dad? I look at myself and think “I want to be her mom and not her dad.”

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

You can call me… Jack.

I identify as… a writer. I also happen to be not-gendered, although I like the word androgynous best.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … if singular “they” is good enough for Shakespeare and Marlowe, it’s good enough for me, but I’ll take whatever first comes to mind as long as you stop to think about it. “Sir” sounds awful nice, too.

I’m attracted to… long-faced Englishmen with bad teeth, Shakespearean actors, intellectual types, Pete Townshend, self-deprecating pretentiousness, anything wry, rock ‘n’ rollers, androgynous people.

When people talk about me, I want them to… consider me first and disregard that gender bit. I’d also hope that they’d throw something vaguely related to badassery into the conversation.

I want people to understand… that gender isn’t the grand issue everyone makes it out to be. The lack thereof, however, doesn’t necessarily require a certain look or complicated terminology; it’s possible to utterly be one’s self and flat-out present as such without carrying around unnecessary baggage and explanations. In regards to myself, I’d like people to understand that I’ve been the way I am since I could walk, and that’s still and probably always will be all right by me.

About Jack
I’m a scooter-riding thing with a Keith Richards haircut currently living on the East Coast of the United States, soon to be bound for England and shameless ex-patriotism. I write, play music, and act; I dig rock ‘n’ roll, history, and iambic pentameter along with a few other things.

» Define yourself. «

P7036857, originally uploaded by woodi forlano.

Meirion wrote…

Wearing anything at all feels like drag sometimes, so I may as well wear what I like.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Submitted by Rubyben, the model. Photographer is Amanda Bateman.

“My part in an alternative fashion show, in which I tried to transcend ableism and binary gender. Russian Red lipstick like Madonna wore.”

“Dress Up” Submitted by CJ, the model and photographer.

“I tried on my dad’s suit, and while it was way too large, I still loved it. Can’t wait to buy my own!”