obligatory National Coming Out Day post

[rm]

The problem, of course, is always with the adjectives and labels, but that's a lovely luxury that I've not honestly had in every facet of my life until the last year or two.

I use queer, gay, lesbian and bisexual for myself pretty interchangeably, although "big ol' lesbian" has been hilariously popular in conversation lately.

I also identify as genderqueer, which is an essay and a half, but in short, my living life as a boy here (*touches sternum*) doesn't make me less of a woman, anymore than my having a cunt makes me less of a man. Use any pronouns you want for me, as long as you don't use them derisively, but I do really loathe that "hir" stuff because I'm uptight about English.

And I can't be out without being out about just how bloody fictional my life is.

I'm my own creature, my own species. It makes sense to me, with any luck, one day it'll make sense to other people too.

That's it. Not news.

Comments

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

I do really loathe that "hir" stuff because I'm uptight about English

I agree here, it comes across as so trying too hard.

Fictional - what every worthwhile life SHOULD be. I wholly enjoy the life I created, and can slip in and out at will, it is very real, and without the boundaries that trap so many.

[winterknight.livejournal.com]

Labels are... well, they're convenient. I don't fit them all, either, being an awkward thing. But I'm not normal.

I love and admire your version of being human. I think you're marvelous and while I am often quiet, know that I am quietly reveling in your adventure and your expression of who you are.

[ldybastet.livejournal.com]

my living life as a boy here (*touches sternum*) doesn't make me less of a woman, anymore than my having a cunt makes me less of a man

Thank you. Well put. This is something that I am struggling with every day, trying to come to terms with. This phrase of yours resonated with something inside me... bringing tears to my eyes.

[saltbox.livejournal.com]

This is unrelated, but I've seen something funny with respect to neutral pronouns that I've always wanted to share. You know how it usually comes across as trying too hard when people use "hir" to basically protest the use of gendered pronouns? Part of it seems to be because of the artificiality of its use. But I have actually seen it arise organically, for a totally different reason than dissent.

In these lawyer bulletin boards I sometimes read, I've seen people use "em" as a neutral pronoun quite prevalently. But there the purpose is not to be gender-neutral, but to specifically mask the identity of the poster, because people are often posting about law firm gossip and thus don't want their identities revealed even slightly. It makes me amused each time I see it, because here's this thing that people have wanted for years, and it gets used in this one segment of society for totally different reasons!

[delchi.livejournal.com]

I'm my own creature, my own species. It makes sense to me, with any luck, one day it'll make sense to other people too.

I recall a rant I went on a while ago in which I pointed out that you are the next step in the evolution of the human being. I think it's still true.

[jslorentz.livejournal.com]

Cheers to you, however you define yourself!

I'm a snob about English, too, but that makes me wish hir or zir would catch on, because it's better to me than singularization of "their"!!! ;)

[delchi.livejournal.com]

The funny part is no matter what you use someone , somewhere will tell you that your'e wrong :)

[awe-struck.livejournal.com]

i love "Use any pronouns you want for me, as long as you don't use them derisively" statement because it fits so many situations. There is a difference in how words sound when they are used with respect instead of derision.

[00goddess.livejournal.com]

living life as a boy here (*touches sternum*) doesn't make me less of a woman, anymore than my having a cunt makes me less of a man.

Woo, that really concisely says what I've been trying to express for a long time. May I quote you far and wide?

[rm.livejournal.com]

Sure thing.

[sylvertongue.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this. *respects*

[coriander.livejournal.com]

I really like what you said.

I suppose I find this day important to people who don't already get it, as a way for me to educate.

All in all, I couldn't agree with you more!