All Posts by this Contributor


Question: Insight into androgynous expression?


Someone asks…

I was assigned female at birth, but I identify as androgynous. I’m lucky, since I don’t look very feminine anyhow, and since I prefer to dress very casually, I seem to pass as male in most situations.

That’s fine on a daily basis, but every now and then I feel bad about it, because I’m not a man and I’d rather be read as androgynous. I’d like to incorporate something more feminine in my gender expression, but that seems like a minefield, since I don’t want to go back to being read as female.

On the other hand that may just be something I tell myself because I’ve gotten so used to the privileges of being read as male and am secretly afraid of the repercussions of being read as a femme man, even though that would seem to be a more accurate description of my identity on some days.

I’m not even sure what I’m asking. Insight into androgynous expression? Tips on how to be more confident about not presenting traditionally masculine? Anything’s welcome.

Please post your response in the comments below.

» Ask Genderfork «


Posted by on May 13th, 2017 at 08:00 am

questions | 6 comments »

Question: What label to use for my gender?


Zader asks…

YO! Ok, so I’ve been just using the term “non-binary” although it is an umbrella term because I’m not sure what my actual gender is. I’ve been thinking about either demiboy or demifluid? I was born with female anatomy, but I’m not a girl. At all. How I describe it is that I’m fluid between a boy and an agender. That’s mainly what it is, I think. So, can anyone help me figure out what term works for me? I’m not exactly sure what to call myself as of now, and I’d really like to find a label that fits!

Please post your response in the comments below.

» Ask Genderfork «


Posted by on May 2nd, 2017 at 08:00 am

questions | 1 comment »

Question: Parent is unsure


A parent asks…

My 18 year old child wants to have breast removal surgery, and has no interest in anything further. They have been wearing a binder for several years. They want to have the surgery before starting college in the fall. I want to support them, and at the same time I worry that maybe as a parent I ought to have them wait in case they may later change their mind. I can use any input. Thanks.

Please post your response in the comments below.

» Ask Genderfork «


Posted by on April 30th, 2017 at 08:00 am

questions | 3 comments »

Shoe bump


via 500px

Androgynous Explorations of Time - The 70s by Shotby Femo on 500px.com

 

“Androgynous Explorations of Time – The 70s” by Shotby Femo

Models: Yvonne Chibueze & Antwon Williams

Hair and Make-Up: Misty Mosharrafa

Styling: Brad Simpson at Body Style UK

Photography: www.shotbyfemo.com


Posted by on April 29th, 2017 at 10:00 am

faces | Comment »

Three Hats and a Smile


via 500px

Reggaetoneros by Alfonso José Venegas on 500px.com

 


“Reggaetoneros” by Alfonso José Venegas

“Black and white genderqueer portrait.”


Posted by on April 26th, 2017 at 10:00 am

faces | Comment »

Boa & Knit


via 500px

Andrógino by Camilo Palacios on 500px.com

 

“Andrógino” by Camilo Palacios


Posted by on April 24th, 2017 at 10:00 am

faces | Comment »

Question: How do you figure it out?


Kevyn asks…

How do you figure out who you are? I would very much like to figure out who or what I am. I’m a mature male, gay, but feel very feminine at times. It used to be a 50/50 feeling, but know its more 80/20 feminine. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated on where to start looking for a definition.

Please post your response in the comments below.

» Ask Genderfork «


Posted by on April 22nd, 2017 at 08:00 am

questions | Comment »

Shiny Crop


via 500px

Overexposed Androgynous by Anders James on 500px.com

 

“Overexposed Androgynous” by Anders James

“Just me…really.”


Posted by on April 21st, 2017 at 10:00 am

faces | Comment »

Long before “that” existed…


Someone wrote…

I am 54 and non-binary long before “that” existed. I tried to fit in the TV and/or the TS world when I was younger but was just as alone there as I am now. I’m scared to continue and to lose the life I have now as a rural, red state, grandparent with a spouse I love.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?


Posted by on April 21st, 2017 at 08:00 am

your voice | 2 comments »

Within The Binary


via 500px

Gender by Polly Thomas on 500px.com

 

“Gender” by Polly Thomas

“Self portrait.

“Exploring and questioning divisions and connotations associated with the majority of society’s idea of stereotypes within the gender binary.”


Posted by on April 20th, 2017 at 10:00 am

faces | 2 comments »

Question: What if you’re 80?


Galatea asks…

Can you reach eighty & realize that you were meant to be a boy not a girl? It is a little late to realize this, but when I consider my life, I realize that unconsciously I was meant to be a boy. I have always loved fast cars, wanted to sky-dive & perhaps fly a plane. I have never really fallen in love with a man or been madly attracted to them, nor them to me, which has made me ponder now.

I would have liked to have driven fast cars, sky-dived or flown a plane. Perhaps joined the military & risen to a senior staff member position.

It is a little late to discover this & unfortunately, you can’t turn back the clock.

I have just wondered if other males or females have wished they were the other sex.

Please post your response in the comments below.

» Ask Genderfork «


Posted by on April 19th, 2017 at 08:00 am

questions | Comment »

Wig in Hand


via 500px

DSC00005.jpg by blackstar media on 500px.com

 

DSC00005.jpg by blackstar media


Posted by on April 18th, 2017 at 10:00 am

faces | Comment »

Profile: Jay


You can call me… Jay

I identify as… Agender

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I prefer they/them

I’m attracted to… Sexually: no one
Romantically: people, regardless of gender

When people talk about me, I want them to… inspire others.

I want people to understand… That regardless of my presentation (strongly female), my gender identity is real and valid.

» Define yourself. «


Posted by on April 7th, 2017 at 08:00 am

profiles | 1 comment »

T. Chick McClure


via 500px

SELF, Transition Week No. 10 by T. Chick McClure on 500px.com

 

SELF, Transition Week No. 10” by T. Chick McClure

“Self portrait documenting week ten of my transition from female to male.”


Posted by on March 27th, 2017 at 10:00 am

faces | Comment »

Recommendation: Brody Polinsky


Morgan recommends…

Brody Polinsky
Tattoo artist who created a safe harbor studio for LGBTQI clients

Brody is a queer tattooer who created UNIV ERSE Studio in Berlin to be a safe harbor in an historically homophobic and transphobic industry. People travel from all over the world for one of his custom-made designs.

Tattooing is really vulnerable and permanent, it can be healing or traumatic depending on the artist’s bedside manner. Brody designed a gentle environment with tea and easy music and proper pronouns. :)

» Recommend something. «


Posted by on March 26th, 2017 at 08:00 am

art, people, recommendations | Comment »

Queen B


via 500px

Queen B by Eric Baze on 500px.com

 

Queen B” by Eric Baze


Posted by on March 25th, 2017 at 10:00 am

faces | Comment »

Eva’s Weg


via 500px

Eva 2015 by KELLERBRANDT | fineart on 500px.com

 

Eva 2015 by KELLERBRANDT | fineart

“Diese Serie von Porträts ist entstanden im März 2015 für die Gruppenausstellung ‘Eva’s Weg‘”

(English Translation: “This series of portraits was created in March 2015 for the group exhibition ‘Eva’s Way‘”)


Posted by on March 23rd, 2017 at 10:00 am

faces | Comment »

Question: fluid? demigirl?


Someone asks…

I need help. I’m a 15 year old biological female and have gone by that all my life but for the past couple of months I’ve been questioning my gender. I’ve been doing research and I think I may be genderfluid. Even long before I questioned my gender, there would be days where I felt way more boyish and days where I felt more girly than normal but most of the time I just did my own thing. But now that I’ve looked into it, I’m more confused than ever. I’m trying to keep track of it but it becomes very frustrating, especially when most of the time I don’t feel particularly any way. I’m also fine with just using female pronouns, but haven’t experimented with male or neutral pronouns. I’ve also seen demigirl and think I could be that along with fluid but I’m not sure if that makes me “less” fluid. Could I just be a girl who’s overthinking this? I honestly don’t know.

Please post your response in the comments below.

» Ask Genderfork «


Posted by on March 22nd, 2017 at 08:00 am

questions | 1 comment »

Profile: The Big Snuggle


You can call me… The Big Snuggle

I identify as… I go with genderqueer because I am a male who is not a man. Well, I am a man but I’m also a woman. Actually scratch that. I’m not a woman. I’m not a man. I am something that you’ll never understand. *

I feel at home in my male body but have always been supremely uncomfortable with masculinity as it was impressed upon me. I’ve found it liberating to pick and choose from masculinity and femininity in how I express myself as a gendered person. Or to put it another way, as I’ve grown into my skin, I’ve shed a lot of societal bullshit, including my anxieties around being seen as not masculine enough or too feminine, and I’m happier and more fabulous for it. This is a work in progress, and is more an attitude than a fixed state.

* (That was a Prince reference.)

As far as third-person pronouns go, … most say he/him/his, some say she/her. I don’t have a preference between those two pronouns because they are both correct.

I’m attracted to… authenticity, empathy, kindness, humor, good boundaries, good communication, women, men, androgyny, queers queers queers. If I feel safe being vulnerable with you, my heart is yours and I’m gonna rock your world.

When people talk about me, I want them to… feel happy.

About The Big Snuggle
Love. I want them to understand that it doesn’t matter whether sexuality and gender are a “choice” or not. We are each on our own path, we haven’t lived in each others’ bodies, and life is a limited engagement. We should trust that each person is a beautiful, wise, neurotic, autonomous creature and we should strive to lift each other (and ourselves) up in our quests to survive, find meaning and experience joy. That’s love.

» Define yourself. «


Posted by on March 20th, 2017 at 08:00 am

profiles | Comment »

Question: Pant Sizes?


Ben asks…

Okay, so I’m finally beginning to feel comfortable with myself, I’m finally deciding to buy whatever clothes I like no matter if they are “mens” or “womens”. I have a problem with confidence in buying clothes when I am by myself, though. Anyway, that not what this is about. I have some questions concerning women’s pants size.

I know my waist which is a 6-8 but my leg length I am very unsure of. And when I am shopping by myself I get scared of asking what pants I should buy and what sizes fit me best. I would shop online, but with out knowing my leg size I cannot. my only question is, is this: if I am a mens 30 waist and 34 leg length, what does that make my leg length in women’s? I’m lost and very confused as to what to do in this matter and because of my shyness i am afraid to ask people in the store. please help. Also, these are U.S. sizes, if that matters.

Please post your response in the comments below.

» Ask Genderfork «


Posted by on March 10th, 2017 at 08:00 am

questions | 4 comments »

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