There is no “wrong” way to express your gender – there just isn’t. Language is arbitrary, and changes over time. Gender constructs differ around the world, and also change over time. The way in which we identify ourselves will – guess what! – change over time. There is nothing wrong with you. Whoever you are; you are valuable, and you deserve respect and love. Show off your pronouns, they are beautiful.
Non-profits Mentioned:
- The Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ – a non-profit supporting LGBTQIA+ and questioning youth. A 24-hour, free, confidential suicide hotline.
- Free Mom Hugs: https://freemomhugs.org/ – an organization providing resources to and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. Also, still gives hugs!
Matrilineal Cultures:
- Akan people: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Akan
- Akan people: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akan_people
- Additional info: https://www.britannica.com/topic/matrilineal-society
- Minangkabau people: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minangkabau_people
Egalitarian Example:
- The Headman Was a Woman – The Gender Egalitarian Batek of Malaysia. Authors Kirk Endicott and Karen Endicott. Copyright Waveland Press, 2008.
Men in Heels:
- https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/did-you-know-men-were-the-first-to-wear-high-heel-shoes-2881163.html
- https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21151350
Pronouns: (some additional resources on pronouns in multiple languages are also below)
- Han in Finnish: https://finland.fi/han/article/
Changing Languages
- TED Talk by Archie Crowley: Exploring Flexible Language and Self-Identification https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH8m6OQKPRg
Identity:
- https://criticalmediaproject.org/why-identity-matters/
- https://news.uoguelph.ca/2010/06/how-many-identities-do-you-have/
- Self, Identity and Social Institutions, Authors Neil J. MacKinnon and David R. Heise. Copyright Springer, 2010.
Additional Sources, not directly referenced:
- TED Talk by Karissa Sanbonmatsu: The Biology of Gender: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLEgiR1Fsds
- Two Spirit is problematic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-spirit
- Great article regarding pronouns in Chinese queer culture: https://radiichina.com/pronouns-chinese-queers/
- Alok Menon (activist) Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/alokvmenon/?hl=en
- Gender inclusivity in French: https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=51403
- Atlantic article regarding English pronouns: https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/06/gender-neutral-pronouns-arent-new/619092/
And finally, I heard this song while working on this episode and thought it would make a perfect reference. David Bowie, Rebel Rebel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF551z9KlA8 (you’ve got your mother in a whirl she’s not sure if you’re a boy or a girl)
