You can call me… Tori.

I identify as… female.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … “she,” thank you very much.

I’m attracted to… interesting people.  Ever since my transition began, I’ve realized gender is just one of a laundry list of qualities.  And while I may prefer males, all else being equal, the fact is that all else is SELDOM equal.  And a good heart and a good mind are more important than any particular set of genitals.

Gender hardly even matters to me at all anymore.

When people talk about me, I want them to… know that my personality is blossoming newly for the first time, without the pain of depression and repression.  I’m discovering new things about myself every day, and I hope you will be there for me too as I figure out just who “Tori” really is.

I want people to understand… Every single thing you’re afraid of is much, much less terrible than you think.  Don’t let fear stop you from being true to yourself.  I wasted YEARS down that road, and in the end, for what?  I’m  happier than I dreamed I could be.

About Tori
Geek, correcting-nerd, sometimes artist, listener, gamer, friend.

» Define yourself. «

Model: Unknown. Photographer: Chinyere Ezie. Originally posted on Ezie’s tumblr, Photogrrl.

Someone wrote…

Genderqueer to me today means feeling sensual and gentle enough to shave and wear a cute skirt, yet strong enough to take on the world and tell off anyone who has a problem with it as I go proudly about my day.

Loving the freedom of the middle ground; it’s not either-or, it’s both-neither, and damn it feels beautiful.

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Model is Skyler Cooper. Originally posted on QueerBOIS.com.

You can call me… Hunter

I identify as… a transgender avenger of my middle school! I am a 13-year-old Cassanova!

As far as third-person pronouns go, … please use male pronouns, I really like “dude.”

I’m attracted to… feminine girls, cosplayers, nerds, snugglers.

When people talk about me, I want them to… see that I don’t like being a girl, and I want them to respect that. And call me a boy. I want them to see how much I am trying to bring GBLT respect to my homophobic middle school. I want them to call me Hunter.

I want people to understand… I want people to understand what I am going through. Being trans is hard enough, especially at a young age. That I don’t think their horrible looks or hateful words are going to help me. To understand that you shouldn’t judge sexualities, but personalities.

About Hunter
My name is Hunter, I am 13. I want to bring GBLT respect to my school. I never wanted to be different, but my body has put me into a cage. I am here to help the kids at my school understand that just because I am a boy in a girl’s body doesn’t mean I am a freak. I want to help my friends or other people at my school deal with the hatred of the other homophobic children.

» Define yourself. «

Model: Unknown. Photographer: The Sartorialist.

Someone wrote…

I’m pretty sure gender doesn’t exist anyway, so why would I limit myself by saying I am only am one gender and I only like one (or two) genders when there are so many!?

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Model: Tiffany. Photographer: Unknown. Originally posted on I Shoot Photos.

“Gwen Haworth documents her male-to-female gender transition through the voices of her parents, sisters, best friend and wife.”

Model is Jean Paul Paula. Originally posted on AndroStyle.tumblr

Someone wrote…

It’s difficult to want a penis of your own without making your vagina feel shame. I want to love it too, but sometimes it’s so alien. I want to love myself.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

Model is Asia. Originally posted at TranscendentColour.

You can call me… Elijah.

I identify as… a dude. Just, flat out, a boy. Male. Sometimes I feel like the transsexual part of that is important, other times I totally forget that I’m trans and only remember when I move and my binder shifts. Though I may be effeminate, I’m still a boy. (Not really quite a man yet. Not that mature.)

As far as third-person pronouns go, … He, his, etc., although I’m forgiving if you slip up. These are the early days.

I’m attracted to… Gender is kind of like hair color for me, it’s just sort of there. Same with physical sex. Dominance is key. If you’re confident in yourself, I like that.

When people talk about me, I want them to… make sure I am not listening, because if I hear you saying something ignorant or bigoted I WIIIILLL CUUUUUT YOUUUUUUU.

I want people to understand… you are allowed to change your mind. You are allowed to think about what you want. The path you take is the one you decide upon, and no one else can make the choice for you.

Make sure you think about your future because I know for many early-transition trans people there are more things to do, more people to come out to, more products to buy, more steps to take. While there are many resources for the people trying to figure out what kind of a man or woman or other they might be, there aren’t enough for those who now have to figure out how to live with what kind of a man or woman or other they are now.

About Elijah.
I’m a Korean high school sophomore in New York City. Bow ties are cool.

» Define yourself. «

Photo by deadasyoureyes

Someone wrote…

I’m not a woman with facial hair and neckties, and I’m not a man with breasts and a vagina. I’m a little more complex than that, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

The new women’s collection from fashion label Acronym. Hat tip via Androphilia.

You can call me… Jaden

I identify as… a Pansexual Trans-woman, Lover, Modern-day Hippie, a Feminist, and an Artist/Poet!

As far as third-person pronouns go, …  I prefer female pronouns all the way, and I get giddy every time someone does use correct pronouns.

I’m attracted to… men, women, Trans-women, Trans-men, and Intersexed individuals. I’m gender blind, and look more for personality , inner beauty, creativity, open-mindedness, intelligence, kindness, and honesty.

When people talk about me, I want them to… focus on the person I am instead of acting like I’m not human, or focusing on what they believe I am instead of looking at what is right in front of them, radiating an essence that doesn’t have to be explained!

I want people to understand… genitalia doesn’t make you male or female! I don’t believe there it’s just male or female, there is much more! Words, actions, and behaviors can truly affect a person. If you make mistakes with pronouns or names, no big deal if it’s not done in maliciousness.

About Jaden
I’m a quirky girl who loves photography, art in general, reading, and poetry. I’m a Photography Major at EKU with a minor in Women and Gender Studies and Art History. I’m a lover, and I love whole-heartedly. I truly couldn’t hurt a fly, and care for everyone, even those who don’t always deserve it. I fight for equality on a daily basis as an officer for EKU’s Pride Alliance and Alphabet center (LGBTQ resource center), doing activism, raising awareness, and reviving a student organization at EKU now covering Transgender, Trans-sex, and Intersex Students. I’m also 2010′s Recipient for Erika’s Hope memorial Scholarship sponsored by Kentucky Fairness Alliance. I want to move to New York work as a photographer, to portray LGBTQ people and unravel gender norms in the media and fashion. I also want to volunteer at the LGBTQ center in New york someday. I also plan to write an autobiography telling my whole story to help and inspire others.

» Define yourself. «

Someone wrote…

I find that the more I learn about gender and how I feel about mine, the stronger I become.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

You can call me… Zoe.

I identify as… terms are too complicated, I’m some where near transgirl, or maybe it’s intersex, possible crossdresser?

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I love female pronouns, but not being out, I cringe every time someone calls me a guy in school. :(

I’m attracted to… gentlemanly guys, including transguys! I like femme girls too, but any dominant person is good :)

When people talk about me, I want them to… to see me as just another girl, where I can be the cute, girly, spunky, teen girl and no one else…

I want people to understand… that for how cheery I act, it’s always covering some pain…and that for how much you insult me I can be as much of a bitch back! ^_^

About Zoe
I’m from Washington, but no, not lucky enough to be in gay friendly Seattle. I’m stuck in a close-minded, small community. I only dress feminine in public, but dream of finally one day being able to wear a skirt in school.

» Define yourself. «

Someone wrote…

Sometimes I feel like an androgynous person. Not knowing which side to choose. I don’t want there to be any border between the sides.
Where I live, the people are not so open-minded. They do not understand things like this. They are old-fashioned.
I feel like I cannot be myself without drawing major attention.
I don’t really know what to do. I hope that, sometime, people don’t have to use a body to live. They should have an avatar. Customizable: their own body, their own representive image.
I hope, by posting this message, I would find people with the same problem that I have.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?