BBC Radio 4 Analysis - Beyond Binary

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The link to the programme, if you can use it is worth the half hour it takes to listen.

It's interesting that Linda Pressly who presents it, says that some transsexual people consider that after their own painful journey to cross from one gender to the other, they consider that the gender queer or gender fluid are possibly queering their pitch in the eyes of the public. I suspect I might be in that camp in that I don't understand non-binary people and it does feel as if they're playing with their gender when I'm deadly serious about mine. At the same time, I accept they have the same right to self presentation as I do. Just when you think it's safe to go into the water...

Anyway, have a listen if you can.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07btlmk#play

Comments

No

Angharad's picture

it's for people who see themselves as neither male nor female or both - it gets confusing for old codgers like us.

Angharad

Gender what?

I suppose that I am solidly not interested in gender, though do live as a woman, mostly because in America's still very binary, sort of puritan culture it is simply easier. I've tried passing as a male when out in the wilderness but must admit that I am pathetic at it. I seem to enjoy the company of both genders, and if a man wanted to take it further I would be open, but as soon as one gets angry and yelly ... so, it would take a very special one, with the patience of Job, so I'm perhaps not worth it.

Busy reading David Weber's "Honor Harrington" series where is sort of Non-gendered world makes more sense to me.

Right now, what t folk are putting up with in America makes the whole lot seem not worth it at times and I hope that after the election everyone gets a bit more rational. Thankfully here in very weird Portland, Oregon life seems safer, where a good bathroom law has been on the books since 2007.

The Honor series is one of my

The Honor series is one of my favorites by Webber. By the way, can you think of another sci-fi series with a woman like H.Harrington ?

Karen

All of Me

I respectfully submit that it is just as hard for me to understand you as it is for you to understand me. To me it is painfully clear that binary is an illusion. The sooner people forget about trying to put each other in boxes, the sooner we'll not have as many people prematurely placed in boxes.

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

A Shaky Illusion...

waif's picture

...at best.

Jer. 5:21 (King James version): "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not."

People need to open their eyes to reality.

Be kind to those who are unkind, tolerant toward those who treat you with intolerance, loving to those who withhold their love, and always smile through the pains of life.

Female and not very fluid

Rhona McCloud's picture

I'm with you on this Angharad to the extent that I find it difficult to imagine that I was ever taken as male. The telling point in my case is that although I can come across as a strong independent woman, when taken by surprise my behaviour is almost stereotypically "girlie".

This is a neat description of "letting ones skirt show."

Rhona McCloud

Being Taken For Male

waif's picture

It still happens to me. If I go without makeup and dress in jeans and a tee shirt I am often mistaken for a 12-15 yo boy.

Be kind to those who are unkind, tolerant toward those who treat you with intolerance, loving to those who withhold their love, and always smile through the pains of life.

Sex and Gender

waif's picture

I am a female bisexual. I am not that old, but I think anyone who has examined human sexuality and gender identity will easily understand that neither sexuality nor gender identity can fit into any limited scale. Both will cover a broad spectrum of emotional, physical, and psychological triggers.

If it doesn't hurt anyone, what possible objection can there be?

Be kind to those who are unkind, tolerant toward those who treat you with intolerance, loving to those who withhold their love, and always smile through the pains of life.