Transgender

Transgender: a Definition

The World Book Advanced online dictionary defines the word "transgender" as an adjective which means "a term for individuals whose identity or self-expression does not match their assigned gender," which, as opposed to the word "cisgender" (meaning being born and raised as the gender you actually are), rather involves identifying as a non-birth gender. These can involve transitions such as female-to-male (FTM), male-to-female (MTF), female-to-genderfluid (FTGf), etc. Despite this disconnect between gender and sex, however, many people remain transgendered without physically transitioning and becoming transsexual (which involves actual changes to the body, not limited to hormonal therapy or genital reassignment surgery). 

Transgender: a History

The earliest example of a transgender person in recorded American history originates from a Virginia colony in the 1620s, "who claimed to be both a man and a woman and, at different times, adopted the traditional roles and clothing of men and women and variously went by the names of Thomas and Thomasine Hall," (Transgender History in the United States, page 3). After confusion amongst the local citizens rose too high, "the court ordered Hall in 1629 to wear both a man’s breeches and a woman’s apron and cap" (Ibid, page 3). This memorialized Thomas(ine) Hall as the first transgender person in American history.

Meanwhile, 1952 marked a historical moment for trans people worldwide. Christine Jorgensen became one of the first people to medically transition, and though not truly the first, "Jorgensen's fame allowed many people to learn about trans lives for the first time" (Timeline: A Look Back at the History of Transgender Visibility). This was vital because it opened the gates for people to learn more about a topic which many had never even heard of prior. The timeline below provides more helpful information about the history of trans people worldwide.

Transgender Visibility Timeline (Click link for full size)

Works Cited:

Beemyn, Genny. "Transgender." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2015. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.

<http://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar756231&st=transgender#tab=homepage>.

---. Transgender History in the United States. Ed. Laura Erickson-Schroth. U of Massachusetts Amherst, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.

<http://www.umass.edu/stonewall/uploads/listWidget/32733/trans%20hist%20ebook.pdf>. 

Townsend, Megan. "Timeline: A Look Back at the History of Transgender Visibility." GLAAD. GLAAD, 19 Nov. 2012. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.

<http://www.glaad.org/blog/timeline-look-back-history-transgender-visibility>.

Androgyny

Merriam-WebsterDictionary defines “androgynous” as “having the characteristics of both male and female.” Someone who is androgynous cannot be defined as male or female, but rather lives in a “spectrum” of gender. Some androgynous people are mentally between the state of man and woman, and would rather not make a definitive choice. Some decide to live without gender at all. Through media attention and pop culture, androgyny has gained more attention. Androgyny is seen often in pop culture, coming into view through fashion, name choices, and so on. It is becoming popular in the fashion industry to use androgynous models in order to not assign articles of clothing to certain genders.

Wikipedia explains the history of this term, going all the way back to ancient Greece. The philosopher Plato considered gender many times, creating categories in which an individual could be organized into. There were three groups, male-male, female-female, and male-female. Each of these groupings was thought to have descended from a different heavenly body, which is how Plato connects astronomy and androgyny. Plato’s gender studies focused much on the sorting and grouping of genders, but those who are androgynous defy these gender boundaries.

The FreeDictionary defines “androgynous” as “Having both female and male characteristics; hermaphroditic.” This definition refers more to the anatomical side of androgyny. Some people are born with both forms of genitalia, making them androgynous by birth. Certain individuals choose to have surgical procedures in order to decide on one exact gender, while others live in the gender “spectrum.” The term “hermaphrodite” was also discussed by Plato in his gender studies. 

Bibliography

"Androgynous." The Free Dictionary. Farlex, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.

Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.

Cisgender

To be Cisgender is to be part of the majority. Often associated with words such as normal, regular, and “the opposite of transgender” , many people find themselves to be part of this identification. Considering its opposite identification, transgender; only makes up roughly 0.3% of the population ,being Cisgender might be even more common than the average person would think. But what exactly does it mean to be Cisgender? To identify as Cisgender essentially means to agree with, and be comfortable with the gender assigned to you at birth. Being a Cisgender is typically regarded as very low risk, as they make up the vast majority of the world’s population. In fact, many Cisgender’s don’t even know that they technically are Cisgenders, just considering themselves to be “normal” and “regular”. To be Cisgender is not to be confused with being heterosexual. This is a very common misconception, but to be heterosexual is a sexual orientation, while being Cisgender is gender identification, two completely different ideas. It is completely possible to be a homosexual Ciswoman, as long as said person agrees with, and is comfortable with the gender assigned to them at birth. Some would argue that to identify as Cisgender doesn’t actually mean to agree with your assigned gender at birth, just to agree with and be comfortable with whatever society currently sees you as. To an extent, this is correct because typically society will view you as whatever your birth certificate says, and based upon how you behave. Overall, to be cisgender is not simply just to be “not transgender” or just to be straight; it is its own gender identity in which the person agrees with, and is comfortable with the gender assigned at birth.

Work Cited 

"Google." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2015.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/09/upshot/the-search-for-the-best-estimate-of-the-transgender-population.html?_r=1

http://time.com/3636430/cisgender-definition/

Gender

Gender

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “gender" is the idea of either being a male or a female, and includes the behavioral or psychological traits that go along with being that. This definition means that you can only be either female or male, depending on what genitals you were born with to go along with one specific gender, meaning someone who is transsexual is still technically the gender that they were born as, no matter how long they have identified themselves as the other sex.

Gender is often just viewed as girl or boy depending on the sex you were born as, but PFLAG National has a different idea of gender, classifying it as traits “often influenced by societal expectations, that classify an individual as male, female, a mixture of both, or neither”. This created a new idea of how gender is assigned, stating that a person can be both or neither, showing that gender is not defined by genitalia and can be decided by the individual. The idea of societal expectations playing a part in the decision of what gender a person is could also mean that a person could not be going by the gender that they personally prefer because they would not be going with the ‘societal ideals’.

Going along with this definition, UC Berkeley Gender Equity Resources Center believes that gender being used as a classification is “a socially constructed system” making it something that can change over time depending on the person’s choices and situations. 

Works Cited

Gender Equity Resource Center. UC Berkeley, n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. 

"Gender." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2011.

Web. 27 August 2015.

"PFLAG National." PFLAG National. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2015.

Gender Identity

According to Dictionary.com, the term “gender identity” refers to somebody’s internal or emotional sense of being male or female. While their definition solely includes male and female, gender identity can refer to one’s sense of being male, female, a combination of both, or none at all. An individual’s gender identity is often “…developed during early childhood as a result of parental rearing practices and societal influences…” As can be gathered from this definition, gender identity is commonly formed around what you hear and see associated with a particular gender.

PFLAG states that one’s “…awareness of gender identity is usually experienced as early as 18 months old…” Gender Identity “does not always correspond to biological sex” according to PFLAG. Thus, one can have the biological sex of a female, but the gender identity of a male; this was Cal’s case by the end of the book Middlesex.

According to the Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender both sociologists and psychologists agree that gender identity is both internal and external as well as being highly dependent on the roles men and women have in one’s culture. Gender identity is external by the way one presents themselves in terms of dress and behavior. For example, in the US, if someone has shaved legs, long hair, and a dress on it is assumed that their gender identity is associated with a girl. Gender identity is often seen to be in coherence to sexuality, however the two are not the same. The American Psychological Association says that sexual orientation or sexuality refers to “…an individual’s enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to another person…” This is in contrast to gender identity as it solely refers to one’s sense of gender or being male, female, somewhere in between or neither. The term “gender identity” circulates around one being aware of who they are and how they identify themselves.

Works Cited

"Answers to Your Questions about Transgender People Gender Identity and Gender 
     Expression." American Psychological Association. APA, n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 
     2015. <http://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/transgender.aspx>. 

 

Champagne, John. "Gender Identity." Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender. Ed. Fedwa 
     Malti-Douglas. 4 vols. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2007. 614-16. 
     Print. 

 

- - -. "Gender Identity." Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender. Ed. Fedwa 
     Malti-Douglas. 4 vols. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2007. 614-16. 
     Print. 

 

"Definitions." Gill Foundation. Vermilion, n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. 
     <http://gillfoundation.org/grants/advancing-equality-toolkit/ 
     definitions/>. 

 

"The PFLAG National Glossary of Terms." PFLAG. Parents, Families and Friends of 
     Lesbians and Gays, n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. <http://community.pflag.org/ 
     page.aspx?pid=316>. 

 

Homophobia

According to the Oxford EnglishDictionary, homophobia is the "fear or hatred of homosexuals and homosexuality." Homophobia is also known as the “aversion to lesbian or gay people that often manifests itself in the form of prejudice and bias,” according to PFLAG National Glossary. These definitions apply beyond individuals to LGBT communities. The word homophobia, first used by psychologist George Weinberg, originally meant "fear of men," and the current definition was not widely used until after the riots at the Stonewall Inn gay bar, according to an article in Civil Rights in the United States. This fear and hatred is based in, the Oxford English Dictionary states, "understandable instincts among straight people, but it also involves innumerable misconceptions and oversimplifications.”  These misconceptions and oversimplifications are a result of preconceived notions about gender and gender roles in today’s society. Homophobia, the Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender states, perpetuates these “rigid gender roles and suspicion of those who do not conform to them.”

The reasons for homophobia are believed to be twofold, according to the Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender: self-hatred or antigay bias. Internalized homophobia, the self-hatred aspect, occurs when one is dissatisfied with their sexuality and takes it out on others like themselves. The antigay bias has unclear origins, however the Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender states that many religions “have condemned homosexual behavior, usually male, because it is not procreative.” These ideas have had harmful effects when they have become more than just words and turned into action.  An example of homophobic action is “gay bashing, which involves physically hurting members of those groups; hate speech directed at queer people; offensive protests and demonstrations against queer people; and antigay legislation”(Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender). Some church demonstrations are homophobic, most notably ones by the Westboro Baptist church, which include offensive anti-gay posters bearing messages such as “God hates fags.”

Works Cited

"Homophobia, n.2." OED Online. Oxford University Press, June 2015. Web. 26 August 2015.

"Homophobia." Civil Rights in the United States. Ed. Waldo E. Martin, Jr. and Patricia Sullivan. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2000. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 25 Aug. 2015.

Hovey, Jaime. "Homophobia." Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender. Ed. Fedwa Malti-Douglas. Vol. 2. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2007. 715-717. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 26 Aug. 2015.

"PFLAG National Glossary of Terms." PFLAG. Web. 26 Aug. 2015.

Heteronormative

According to Dictioionary.com, the term “heteronormative” is an ideal “noting or relating to behavior or attitudes consistent with traditional male or female gender roles and the assumption of heterosexuality as the norm.” So essentially heteronormativity is a socially derived construct that defines how gender and sexuality are currently defined in our society.

The Gender and Education Association claims that “theorists have argued that a discourse or technique of heteronormativity has been set up, and subsequently dominates, social institutions such as the family, the state and education.” This means that heteronormativity is not only idealized but it is practiced and taught from an early age as the normal definition of a male to female relationship in society. Heteronormativity doesn’t only reference how relationships are defined in our society but is a general ideal that has influenced the way we look at things in our society from education to our children’s play toys. For instance the model of the Barbie and Ken dolls represents at a young age to children of how relationships are supposed to work when they get older. The concept of heteronormativity works to categorize identity “into hierarchical binaries”, placing man above woman and heterosexual as the accepted sexuality above homosexual.

The subsequent result of this way of looking at gender and sexuality is that people of other genders and sexualities have been marginalized socially. As aforementioned heteronormativity is not only idealized but it is practiced and in institutions such as educational ones, children are not taught to practice these things and so in spaces like these being of a different gender or sexuality causes people to retreat and conform to heteronormativity. Ultimately this idea of gender and sexuality needs to be thought of in a different way because of the somewhat changing ideals of our society. In a time when “today's children are more likely to see two men or two women holding hands, more likely to have a friend or relative who is openly gay and more likely to have a schoolmate who has two moms or two dads” we need to look at gender and sexuality for "what they mean and what they are and what they can be.”

Works Cited

Heteronormative." Dictionary.com. N.p.: Random, n.d. N. pag. Print. 

Gray, Emily. "What Is Heteronormativity?" GEA - Gender and Education 

     Association. Gender and Education Association, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.

Day, Lori. "How Highly Gendered Toys Present an Exclusively Heterosexual 

     Worldview to Children." The Blog. Huffington Post, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2015. 

Queer

Queer

 

The word “queer” is said to have primarily two meanings. According to the World Book Dictionary, queer is defined as “not usual or normal, odd, or peculiar.” Although in 20^th century this word had taken more of a sexual meaning, stated in the Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender the definition reads “a derogatory label for homosexuals.”  Taking in to consideration the two meanings of this word, it can be directed to either people who do not meet ones normal stand or to homosexuals.

In the 1980’s, queer, was making a name for itself. In the International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences,  elite scholars wanted to reclaim the term for themselves and therefore came together to complete a mission, “to develop lesbian and gay social constructionists”, thus creating Queer Theory/ Sociology. Many scholars have come out of this group with very important points in order to shift the study of sexuality “from explaining the modern homosexual to questions of the operation of the hetero/homosexual binary.” The important topics and points that these scholars made, have only promoted Queer Theory/Sociology.

In modern society, queer, is primarily used as a derogatory statement towards homosexuals. Specifically kids at school cease the opportunity to take use to this term. According to an article titled Queer, Young, and Bullied, at least 75% of kids at schools without GSA’s receive homophobic remarks. At times, the effect this term has on kids and adults, in derogatory form, creates an environment of sadness and suicidal thoughts.

 

 

Works Cited

 

Darity Jr., William A., ed. "Queer Studies." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. 2nd ed. Vol. 6. Detroit: n.p., 2008. 663. Print.

Hoogland, Renee C. "Queer." Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender. Vol. 4. Detroit: n.p., 2207. 1235. Print.

McDonald, Natalie Hope. "Queer, Young and Bullied." Philadelphia Magazine. N.p., 03 Apr. 2012. Web. 27 Aug. 2015.

"Queer." The World Book Encyclopedia. Chicago, IL: World Book, 2009. Print.

Men's Movements

According to the Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender, Men’s movements are defined as, “a collection of social, political, and philosophical organizations that seek to redefine men’s relationship to their prescribed gender roles.” These said organizations have been around for many years, but picked up in the 1970s. They were formed after feminist groups started being made. They did this to reassert their “manliness.” Dictionary.com defines manliness as, 'having qualities traditionally ascribed to men, as strength or bravery.”  Many of these organizations currently do not allow women to join or if they are allowed, they are limited in what they can participate in.

According to Wikipedia, one of the biggest men’s movements was the Men’s Liberation Movement. It started in the 1960s and 1970s in response to feminism movements. Many people argued that gender relations were not fair to either sex, and both men and women are equally oppressed. This is just one of the many examples of major men’s movements, all of which started in the 1970s.

"Men's Movement." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.

Holcomb, Brian D. "Men's Movements." Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender. Ed. Fedwa Malti-Douglas. Vol. 3. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2007. 995-997. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 28 Aug. 2015

"Men's Movement." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.

Fluid(ity)

Gender fluidity is a subdivision of the gender-queer identity. According to Gender Diversity, it is a sexual definition that "conveys a wider, more flexible range of gender expression" that allows individuals to change their interests and behaviors day to day. This means that a gender fluid person does not have to say that they are strictly attracted to just males or just females, but that they can be attracted to any of the two, or even both, on any given day.

Unlike other gender identities, gender fluidity does not require any medical procedures to be done or any change in sexual orientation. People have the ability to remain their original (or preferred) gender, despite what their physical, romantic, or emotional attraction to others may be. The Gender Equity Resource Center states that a gender fluid individual is a person "whose gender identification and presentation shifts, whether within or outside of societal, gender-based expectations." This means that, in addition to shifting their sexual and romantic interests, gender fluid people do not have to fit into the stereotype of any one sexual category.

This identity allows many people to move through different stages of life, create new friendships, and discover what they look for in a partner without having to worry about securing how they see themselves and how others view them as well. Lisa M. Diamond, author of Sexual Fluidity, states that “for some [people] love and desire are not rigidly heterosexual or homosexual, but fluid.”

Works Cited 

"Definition of Terms." Definition of Terms. University of California, Berkeley, n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2015.

<http://geneq.berkeley.edu/lgbt_resources_definiton_of_terms>.

Diamond, Lisa M. Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 2008. Print.

"Terminology." Gender Diversity. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2015. <http://www.genderdiversity.org/resources/terminology/>.

Asexual

Asexual 

The noun asexual, defined by Oxford Dictionaries, is a person, “who has no sexual feelings or desires.” In other words, meaning one who has a lack of (or no) interest in participating in sexual activities. They do not seek or find pleasure in intercourse. They don’t feel the urge because they are “not sexually attracted to any gender,” (Gender Equity Resource Center).  The term asexuality has evolved over the years with three central definitions. Initially originating as a term for a form of organism reproduction, it was later used to describe humans who were born with a “lack” of sex organs or an “inability to feel/act sexually due to disability or other condition,” as Serendip labels. Asexual is commonly confused with the noun chaste meaning, “refraining from sexual intercourse” by dictionary.com. But, one who is described as chaste feels sexual urges but chooses to ignore them. While an asexual feels no urges whatsoever for, “Asexuality to be an orientation it must be innate” Serendip.   

As mentioned previously, before asexuality became a term associated with humans, the word was solely used for organisms. In adjective form, asexual extends from mental and anthropological boundaries. Being defined as “sexless”, The American Heritage Dictionary provides a definition pertaining to the physical makeup of a person as one “having no evident sex or sex organs.” Asexual also used to describe organisms involved in reproduction without involving both sexes’ gametes such as “in binary fission or budding” (The American Heritage Dictionary). Asexual reproduction is common among organisms that split forming an offspring. Defined as binary fission, the offspring have only one “parent” and are identical in makeup. 

Overtime the definition of asexuality has become as unbound as ever. There are many ways one can apply the term asexuality, whether describing the physical makeup of a certain person, an anthropological mental state or an organism’s reproductive condition.

Works Cited

"Asexual." The American Heritage Dictionary of the American Language. N.p.: n.p., n.d. American Heritage Dictionary. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. <https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=asexual>.  

"Asexual." Oxford Dictionary. Oxford Dictionary. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. <http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/asexual>.  

"Asexuality as a Human Orientation." Serendip Studio. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Serendip. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. <http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1870>.  

"Asexual Reproduction." Goldies Room. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. <http://www.goldiesroom.org/Note%20Packets/14%20Mitosis%20and%20Asexual/00%20Mitosis--WHOLE.htm>.  

"Chaste." Dictionary.Com. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Dictionary.com. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chaste>.  

Definition of Terms. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Gender Equity Resource Center. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. <http://geneq.berkeley.edu/lgbt_resources_definiton_of_terms>.  

Feminism (1st, 2nd, 3rd Wave)

Feminism (1st, 2nd, 3rd Wave)

As a broad general definition, feminism is described as, “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes”. Throughout history, women have traditionally faced a gender gap, varying in depth and reach depending on the culture, and such inequality has driven the increasing prominence of feminism in culture today. 

The first wave of what we call feminism today, occurred in the late 1800’s - early 1900’s. As America entered a crucial point in the self-development of its identity and culture, social issues such as equality for women and African-Americans rose to the national spotlight.  This first wave of feminism is traced back to the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 as an unofficial launching point, when 300 men and women rallied in favor of equal rights for women. The main focus of those supporting the first wave of feminism was the pursuit of voting rights for women, which culminated with the 1920 passing of an extension of the 19th Amendment, finally allowing women to vote.

The second wave of feminism emerged in the 1960's, yet another crucial point in the development of America’s social identity, and again, alongside various other social causes. America became increasingly aware of its role in dictating treatment of minorities, and movements supporting feminism and desegregation were reignited, while new movements, such as those promoting the awareness and rights of LGBTQ citizens were born. This wave of feminism is focused dominantly on sexuality and reproductive rights.

The third wave of feminism is the feminism we see today in the news and pop culture. As the first two waves of feminism focused on inequities rooted in law, the third wave of feminism, beginning in the mid 1990’s, focused on breaking down social barriers for women such as pay inequity and social constructs.

Works Cited

"Feminism." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.
(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminism)

"The Three Waves of Feminism." The Three Waves of Feminism. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.
(http://www.pacificu.edu/about-us/news-events/three-waves-feminism)

"19th+Amendment+to+the+U.S.+Constitution:+Women's+Right+to+Vote." National Archives and Records Administration. National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2015.
(http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/document.html?doc=13&title.raw=19th+Amendment+to+the+U.S.+Constitution:+Women's+Right+to+Vote)

Intersectionality

When thinking about the categorization of people, what terms come to mind? Gender? Race? Social class? If you were forced to classify each person into a single category, would you be able to? Probably not. It is impossible to define a person simply by a single category such as “female”, as it provides no distinction between the billions of other females in the world. To define a person, you must encompass all the different categories that one fits into, and consider their effects on identity both individually and combined- with these combined effects being defined as “intersectionality.”

Formally, intersectionality is defined as “the study of intersections between forms or systems of oppression, domination or discrimination” (Wikipedia). The term came into existence during the feminist movement of the 1960’s and 70’s, mostly being used by African American women to emphasize that “white middle-class women did not serve as an accurate representation of the feminist movement as a whole” (Wikipedia). African American women were being treated especially unfair during this time period as they were seen as a minority in both the categories of feminism and in their race. Different people experience different challenges pertaining to their lives which not everyone would be able to relate to or understand, and thus, people must realize that different classifications provide different obstacles for said groups to overcome. Feminism was aiming to increase women’s rights of the women in the majority; however, it needed to be acknowledged that the term feminism encompassed all women, no matter what race.

Intersectionality stems from the idea that when someone is part of more than one group facing discrimination, then it can at times become hard to distinguish what the basis of oppression is, therefore the two groups must both be considered.

Works Cited

Collins, Patricia Hill. "Patricia Hill Collins: Intersecting Oppressions." Sagepub. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. <http://uk.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/13299_Chapter_16_Web_Byte_Patricia_Hill_Collins.pdf>.

Crenshaw, Kimberle. "Intersectionality: The Double Bind of Race and Gender." Perspectives. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. <http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/publishing/perspectives_magazine/women_perspectives_Spring2004CrenshawPSP.authcheckdam.pdf>.

"Intersectionality." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersectionality>.

Masculine

Masculine

The term “masculine” has never had a “unitary meaning” (Franklin, 4) and is “continuum-based” (Franklin, 131). It moves between “the identification of a person’s sex as male” and “norms of acceptable behavior for males” (Rowland, 7), so in many cases, “masculine” is defined by societal boundaries. Masculinity involves being born with male genitalia but also encompasses “manly” behavior, such as being strong, unemotional, and in control. In general, masculinity includes a “fear of showing any sort of femininity, including tenderness, passivity” and the “fear of being desired by a man” (Badinter, 47), which may indicate feminine qualities. Many times the “masculine ideal” sets up impossible standards, so that most men are “deviants from the mythical norm of success, power, control, and strength” (Badinter, 133). In her book, Badinter shows that men have feelings of insecurity which prompts “hypervirility and aggressivity against all those who threaten to cause the mask to fall” (Badinter, 133). It is an act that many must keep up to protect themselves and defend against their own fears. For example, in the film, American Beauty, a father is very “masculine,” in that he is a retired United States Marine Corps Coronel, hates homosexuals, and is a strong and very strict disciplinarian.  However, this man is actually homosexual himself, and he acts the way he does to defend against his feelings for other men, which the surrounding society shuns.

 

Works Cited

Badinter, Elisabeth. XY, on Masculine Identity. New York: Columbia University Press, 1995.

Print.

Franklin II, Clyde W. The Changing Definition of Masculinity. New York: Plenum, 1984. Print.

Rowland, Anthony. Signs of Masculinity: Men in Literature 1700 to the Present. Atlanta: Rodopi,

1998. Print.

Gender Neutral

Gender Neutral

Being gender-neutral is defined in the Miriam-Webster Dictionary as “not referring or applying specifically to either males or females.” It is sometimes thought of as “the third gender” and is a form of gender variance.

One of the most prominent aspects of gender-neutrality is the use of correct Preferred Gender Pronouns, or PGPs. When someone is gender-neutral, they often prefer not to be referred to with specifically male or female pronouns. The Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools says that, “in English, the most commonly used singular gender neutral pronouns are ze (sometimes spelled zie) and hir.” While the proper use of these PGPS may seem confusing or difficult to use in everyday conversation, using the incorrect PGPS can be highly disrespectful and insensitive towards gender nonconforming people.

Being gender-neutral is not only an individual’s gender identity; it can also refer to gender neutrality in a broader sense. For example, gender neutral parenting has recently become very popular. This entails raising a child to be neither male nor female, thus allowing them to discover their gender identity without being labeled at birth. The problems with gender-neutral rearing are generally due to the difficulty of keeping the child from being influenced by dichotomous gender in the outside world. Marni Axelrad, Ph. D. said in an interview with Parents.com that, “if you're not going to have your child in social situations with other kids--if he's just at home with you or a sitter most of the time--then it's possible." Though raising a child gender-neutral may be challenging to do successfully, it allows for the child to come into their own gender identity and may be a worthwhile effort.

Works Cited

"Gender-neutral." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2015. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gender-neutral>.

"What the heck is a "PGP"?." gsafe. 2015. Web. 28 Aug. 2015. <https://www.gsafewi.org/wp-content/uploads/What-the-heck-is-a-PGP1.pdf>.

DiProperzio, Linda. "Should You Raise a Gender-neutral Baby?." Parents. Meredith Corporation, 2015. Web. 28 Aug. 2015. <http://www.parents.com/parenting/gender-neutral-parenting/>.

Feminine

Per the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “feminine” pertains to, “having qualities or appearance traditionally associated with women, especially delicacy and prettiness.”  Some user’s tweets on Twitter.com, because they are not required to be professional, such as the Oxford English Dictionary, are even more straightforward, attaching the word “feminine” both to their use of the color pink and to getting their nails done.

These definitions and attributed actions to the word, and the word “feminine” itself, exist solely because this is how the word is defined and used in every day life by every day people.  While the definition of the word and the uses of it may be offensive to some, it has become an accepted part of today’s society.  Due to this, most of the time when the word “feminine” is used in conversation, no argument is raised and the conversation continues without a break.

As shown by the users on Twitter.com, “feminine” is often attributed to actions that a women or girl should do, and actions a man or boy should not.  In fact, there is an entire wikiHow dedicated to teaching girls “How to Be Feminine” that teachers the reader how to act, look, and speak “like a lady.” In my opinion, it is unfair and cruel to separate the two sexes by what society feels they should and should not do.  It is limiting a person’s potential by setting boundaries for their life based upon preconceived ideas of people who are more than likely ignorant to the situation.

Works Cited

@alexnewport_. "When your car shows your feminine side... Pink Interior Lights..." 27 Aug. 2015, 7:31 p.m. Tweet. <https://twitter.com/alexnewport_/status/637044916359663616>. 

@badbt33. "I love getting my nails done :’( :’( I feel like so much more feminine after." 27 Aug. 2015, 6:50 p.m. Tweet. <https://twitter.com/badbt33/status/637034496294912000>. 

"How to Be Feminine." wikiHow. Mediawiki, n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. <http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Feminine>. 

Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford Dictionaries. Web. 27 Aug. 2015.

     <http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/english/feminine>.

Ally

According to Berkley’s Gender Equity Resource Center, an ally is a person “who advocates for and supports members of a community other than their own.”  The meaning of community is open to interpretation in this definition, but, in this context, one can interpret a community as a group with the same sexual orientation.  This definition also suggests that differences between communities do not faze an ally, and the ally is able to look beyond and accept these differences.   

Allies not only advocate for the rights of other communities, but they assist in reversing misinterpretations individuals may have about the LGBTQIA community.  UCLA’s LBGTQ Resource Center gives a thorough definition of this notion and describes an ally as “someone who confronts heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, heterosexual and genderstraight privilege in themselves and others; a concern for the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex people; and a belief that heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are social justice issues.”  By including the piece about confrontation in this definition, it implies that an ally recognizes that they have the option of being neutral, or possibly against, other communities, but they choose to support them instead.  Furthermore, an ally believes prejudice and discrimination against any community is irrational and unjust.

Currently, there many organizations composed of allies, but one notable organization is GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance against Defamation.  Although the name states that the alliance is only advocating for gays and lesbians, the group supports all genders and sexual orientations.  According to GLAAD, the alliance “works with print, broadcast and online news sources to bring people powerful stories from the LGBT community that build support for equality.”  Using numerous forms of media to expand their alliance and promote acceptance ensures that GLAAD communicates their thoughts to all demographics.  Additionally, working through the electronic media can give future allies a visual representation of the challenges the LGBTQIA community endures.

Works Cited

"About GLAAD." Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. GLAAD, Web. 26 Aug. 2015. <http://www.glaad.org/about>.

"Definition of Terms." Gender Equity Resource Center. University of California Berkely, Web. 26 Aug. 2015. <http://geneq.berkeley.edu/lgbt_resources_definiton_of_terms#ally>.

Green, Eli R., and Eric N. Peterson. "LGBTQI Terminology." UCLA LGBT Resource Center. University of California Los Angeles, Web. 26 Aug. 2015. <http://www.lgbt.ucla.edu/documents/LGBTTerminology.pdf>.

Sexual Orientation

Wikipedia defines sexual orientation as "an enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction (or a combination of these)  to persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or to both sexes or more than one gender". There are many different sexual orientations. The most commonly known sexualities are heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality. Sexualities like heterosexual and homosexual mean that a person is attracted to only one gender. This is also known as being monosexual. Being attracted to multiple genders can be referred to as being polysexual. Some examples of polysexuality are pansexuality and bisexuality. Pansexuality is described by the website Oxford Dictionaries as "not limited in sexual choice with regard to biological sex, gender, or gender identity". While the word 'choice' isn't exactly accurate, the point is communicated well.

Many people consider there to be four 'categories' of sexualities - heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and asexual. Asexuality is defined by The American HeritageDictionary as "relating to or being a person who does not experience sexual attraction". There are also offshoots of asexuality, such as gray-asexuality (often abbreviated to gray-ace; meaning that sexual attraction is a rare occurrence, but does happen occasionally). Another offshoot of asexuality is demisexuality, in which sexual attraction is not felt until a close bond has already formed between partners.

Though some may consider all of these different sexualities tiring and meaningless, sexual orientation can play a major role in an individual's identity. The LGBT+ community is considered a safe haven for many marginalized sexualities and genders. However, some orientations, such as asexuals and pansexuals, still face discrimination and stigma within LGBT+ safe spaces. All sexual orientations are normal and natural. Knowledge of sexual orientations is necessary for self identifying - the nuances of someone's attractions are unknown to everyone but the person experiencing them. Figuring out one's own sexual orientation is a joyful and freeing experience for many.

"Sexual Orientation." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 17 August 2015. Web. 27 August 2015.

"Pansexual." Oxford Dictionaries. Oxford Dictionaries, 2015. Web. 27 August 2015.

"Asexual." The American Heritage Dictionary. The American Heritage Dictionary, 2015. Web. 27 August 2015.