Submitted by J, the model and photographer.

You can call me… Jamie.

I identify as… a weird, queer, femme transboy.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … only the male ones work with me.

I’m attracted to… scrawny nerdy boys with glasses.

When people talk about me, I want them to… resist hypothesizing. I’ll answer your questions, guys. No problem.

I want people to understand… that gender isn’t a box, not even a line. It’s a friggin’ huge universe of unique and colorful nebulae, and no matter how similar they look from here, no two stars are alike.

About Jamie
I’m a shorty with an affinity for sarcasm and cynical literature. I’m big into Star Trek (TOS only though!) and romance, and some days I am possessed by an artistic demon. My baby girl is Lucy, a little white Lhasa Apso who spends her time licking things she’s not supposed to, like electrical outlets.

» Define yourself. «

Submitted by Isis Periles, the model.

Jackie offers her perspective about dating genderqueer people.

*, originally uploaded by naenzieh.

Submitted by Andy, the model and photographer.

“Ever since I was 5 I’ve done things that only boys are “supposed” to do and sometimes people never thought anything of it because they never knew that I am a bio-female. I figured shaving my peach fuzz was just a step in the same direction.”

A reader recommends…

A short but well-written first person photo essay about being transgendered/androgynous.

» Recommend something. «

A reader recommends…

Logo, the GLBTcable channel has a dating series called: Can’t Get a Date. They had an episode about a femme who only wanted to date butches.

» Recommend something. «

Submitted by Sloane, the model and photographer.

“Just a self portrait of me attempting to tap into my lumberjack side while simultaneously being a pretty boy ;-)”

You can call me… Wilson

I identify as… A weird little thing that lives in the back of your refrigerator. I’m a genderless being, though also what would happen if you shoved Gregory House, Lady Gaga, David Bowie and Willy Wonka into a the particularly cramped body of an anteater.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … ‘It’ is my favorite, however unconventional it might be. Otherwise, you can use whatever strikes your fancy, as long as it has nothing to do with my anatomical structure.

I’m attracted to… Human beings, ideas, mustaches, high cheekbones, vivisection, long eyelashes and hips.

When people talk about me, I want them to… I would find it rather flattering if people discussed the goopy gray substance that rests between my ears. If you find that impossible, you can talk about how I always leave my shoes untied.

I want people to understand… That your chromosomes and your psyche are as disconnected as the person who helped you hook up your television and the person who wrote your favorite book.

About Wilson
Wilson wants to be a writer, and to go to medical school. Its favorite pastimes are vignette writing and live multiplayer tetris.

» Define yourself. «

Submitted by Colin, the model.

“me as sid vicious and my boyfriend as nancy.  rock on!”

You can call me… Asher

I identify as… A transsexual male androgyne, a dirty queer pervert, a punk faggot, and a very pretty boy.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … “He,” “him,” “his.” And “Sir.”

I’m attracted to… Nerve, toughness, resilience. I like survivors. I like people with morbid humor and a capacity for rage that equals mine, and a capacity for love and affection equal to mine as well. Lots of the people I am attracted to are men. Some of them are not. My lover of the past year (and hopefully of many future years) is infinitely more gender fucked than I.

When people talk about me, I want them to… Avoid doing so when not in my presence. Actually, avoid talking about me when in my presence too. I can speak for myself.

I want people to understand… that my gender is not about them.

About Asher
I am a film student. I also write a column for CarnalNation.com called Transgression.

» Define yourself. «

155114_475000749343_27766749343_5486704_1214361_n, originally uploaded by Stefano Stefanini (the posh venus).

You can call me… brandon.

I identify as… a transgendered elf that enjoys prancing through glades of trees, playing owl city on his ukelele. in reality, a lonely girl whose parents are frightened of their lovely, “all-girl” daughter being their… son.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … i enjoy he and him very much. i rarely hear them on a regular basis, so why don’t you make my day?

I’m attracted to… someone who thinks like me, within and without me. i want someone who embraces the way my head has always worked, secretly and in silence. i also like artists, and people with brown eyes.

When people talk about me, I want them to… realize that i have ears, and i know i look like a dude. that’s the point!

I want people to understand… that what i’m trying to do with my body probably won’t be attractive to the majority. i might not look like a boy. i don’t have huge muscles, a deep voice, or meaty fingers. but i am one, deep down, and i want to be loved as one.

About Brandon
i’m 16 years old. i live in a conservative, close-knit town, where people rarely escape the cookie-cutter image. i play three instruments, i want to be a music teacher. i’m a nerd. and dream of one day being the father of many adopted asian babies.

» Define yourself. «

falcon, originally uploaded by maggyvaneijk.

Cat recommends…

The Magnetic Fields have been around for 20 years now. They have released nine albums (including the epic three-disc 69 Love Songs) and they’re also responsible some of the very subversive songs in terms of gender and sexuality issues. Their first two albums, in particular, bundled on the Wayward Bus/Distant Plastic Trees compilation, are especially striking and ahead of their time nearly two decades since their release, including songs dealing with such matters as fanciful as bisexual werewolves or as serious as having a relationship with an FTM in a trans-hostile world. While Stephin Merritt, the band’s songwriter, is a cissexual gay man and often sings from what is presumably his own experience, he very convincingly writes through others’ perspectives, and confounds gender in his choice of singers.

The 69 Love Songs album also is fantastically diverse in its array of gender and sexuality perspectives and the frequent “mismatch” between the two. Anyone who’s a gender outlaw and likes literate, witty indie pop ought to give them a listen.

» Recommend something. «

You can call me… Rhi(annon)

I identify as… a womyn who happens to like womyn who happen to like womyn who like womyn.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I like anything alternative to the confinement of the norm, but I guess that’s how I feel about everything.

I’m attracted to… brains! (Not in a zombie way but that works too)

I’m definitely attracted to passion, laughter, and confidence. Cute smiles don’t hurt either.

As far as butch versus femme, cis versus trans, etc., I really haven’t taken note of any strong trends. It all depends on the person for me. I’m much more likely to fall in love with their brain before I even notice their body.

When people talk about me, I want them to… never ever make assumptions, whether they are correct or not.

I want people to understand… that sex and gender are very different and for both of these, the realm spans far beyond the captivity of the binary and simplicity of “[] MALE or [] FEMALE” and that it’s incredibly important to be aware and to be respectful.

About Rhi
Someday I’m going to write a book. And get a degree with the word “queer” in it. And I’m going to grow flowers from dirt and make things happen. That’s all.

» Define yourself. «

Submitted by B’alam, the model and photographer.

You can call me… Ryan. Or Rachel. I’ve never really been called Rachel, but fantasize about that sometimes.

I identify as… Anarchist, pacifist, feminist, genderqueer, vegan. I’m a mess. I love my penis very much, but I seethe inside when people call me a man (or dude or bro). I’m not a man, but not quite a woman either. Some days feel more androgynous than others. Some days are perfect for wearing a skirt, sometimes just pants will do. Proud to live in Tucson, ashamed to live in Arizona.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … Everyone I know uses “he/him,” which I don’t mind. Sometimes I sort of fantasize about being a “she/her” or “ze/hir” but it hasn’t happened before and probably won’t until I learn how to express myself correctly.

I’m attracted to… Masculine women, feminine women, genderqueer females, trans women, genderqueer males, drag queens. I love someone who has any artistic passion and can engage in a good discussion on radical politics. Someone assertive who loves themselves. Someone who is sexually autonomous but appreciates my sexual being.

When people talk about me, I want them to… realize that I’m just a human being… No better or worse than they are. And I may be androgynous, but I’m not asexual ;)

Every person should also realize that I love them all <3

I want people to understand… that I’m simply not a man. I hate that my body makes it awkward for some of my friends to hear me say “I love you.” Gender is not at all a genetic given, and perhaps we all lose a bit of our being when we pigeonhole ourselves in one category or the other.

About Ryan/Rachel
This world sucks. Let’s change it :)

» Define yourself. «

Submitted by Simon, the model.