Gender Freely Chosen

Jul

09

2012

I had an odd thought today: why shouldn’t I be able to choose my gender according to my desire, no questions asked?

If you are born or brought up male, there are an awful lot of people who expect you to justify the choice of a female life on the basis of medical condition, inner spirit, psychiatric need or some way of showing that a true female lurks within.

In fact, we do it to ourselves. I have been looking for some kind of proof of my feminine credentials for some time now. Am I? Really?

But, why does it matter? Why can’t I be female for no other reason than I feel like it, or that it makes me happy? Whom am I harming? What’s wrong with it?

It is not like every Joe on the street is going to see that there is no “rule” against switching genders and immediately shave his legs and put on a skirt. Men guard their masculinity quite jealously. Those of us who even contemplate such things – nevermind actually following through – are obviously naturally inclined that way.

Or, am I missing something? (How’s that for “teeing one up?”)

9 comments

Ashley

I think I said the same thing (could be on another blog ???) almost a year ago…

The truth is you can change your gender just for the reason you like being the other gender. It is entirely up to you. There are plenty of resources out there and it is fairly easy to say the right things to get what medical and psychological specialists to agree with you. Now that is a DANGER in that if you’re deluding yourself the harm can be devastating. But if you go in with your eyes open and are willing to accept limitations, it is really and truly up to you.

I tend to think that the current standards of care are rational and reasonable. The only thing I don’t like is the pathologicalization by describing it as a “disorder”.

July 9, 2012 /

Andie Davidson

I think you’re right! We are who we are, yet we behave as if what everyone else wanted was more important. Of course, socially, we do have norms in order to maintain a cohesive society, but gender identity and wearing clothes isn’t where that is found. It’s a spurious hangover. We know what sex is, and how to find out if another is a suitable partner for procreation. But we need to evolve a little further as a society such that gender and sex differences within a person are not interpreted as cheating or tricking, but just a variant. If you can be open about a female presentation and male physical characteristics, you can’t be accused of being deliberately subversive. Men especially can be uncomfortable with men who present as women, let alone transition, and I think they feel it undermines their privileges. I said all sorts about this on my blog, but also to echo Ashley, it isn’t a disorder: http://www.andiesplace.co.uk/de-facto-defect-or-defector/

July 9, 2012 /

altered10940

I agree with you. Why can’t we choose to be who we feel like on any particular day. I often dress as my female self cause it makes me feel good. I can’t pass and have not had the nerve to venture out in public but I would love too.

July 9, 2012 /

shantown

I’m still working on a thoughtful reply here. I see pros and cons to your first question.
In the meantime, just wanted to say I love this picture of you.

July 10, 2012 /

Mary-Margret Callahan

Yes, Janie, yes….You hit that one out the park. I was worried a little bit after that other post about sexuality declarations. You did help clear that up after but this post is MONEY. You are so right…”Why can’t you be what you want just because you feel like it or because it makes you happy?” Exactly, there are no rules, just do what you want. “Whom are you harming? What’s wrong with it?” No one, nothing. Its only prefabricated biases, and prejudices in your way. Those are not our problems; they are theirs. Truely, gender lines are man made and are a choice. You are correct in the statement that many men guard their masculinity. Despite the trend from the late 90s on, with metrosexuality, the Man’s Man is still jealously protected and is strongly rebounding. The feminen male is considered weak and thus useless to the social structure.So its considered okay to go offroading in your pickup truck, unshaven, wearing a wife beater, jeans and a Nascar hat but taboo to go shoe shopping at the mall in a miniskirt, high heels with makeup on. There lies the unfair imbalence in society today. A genetic woman can do both of things and it is considered socially acceptable. Think about that…….
The women’s Liberation movement made that happen. Maybe its time for another revolution?

July 11, 2012 /

Ashley

This person doesn’t think it’s taboo to shop at the mall in a miniskirt, heels and makeup. http://www.youtube.com/user/gregorygorgeous?feature=results_main

They also share the same hometown with our host.

July 11, 2012 /

cdjanie

There have been some thought-provoking comments here. I just wanted to thank you for those, even though I simply cannot seem to get my mind around the whole concept well enough to craft an intelligent reply. I hope that will come in the near future.

July 12, 2012 /