For The Love Of G-d, HP Fans, We Are Begging, Please Read A Different Series.

Definitely important the gender-diverse community take part in this

The 2024 Gender Census is now open!

[ Link to survey ]

The 11th annual international gender census, collecting information about the language we use to refer to ourselves and each other, is now open until 13th June 2024.

It’s short and easy, about 5 minutes probably.

After the survey is closed I’ll process the results and publish a spreadsheet of the data and a report summarising the main findings. Then anyone can use them for academic or business purposes, self-advocacy, tracking the popularity of language over time, and just feeling like we’re part of a huge and diverse community.

If you think you might have friends and followers who’d be interested, please do reblog this blog post, and share the survey URL by email or at AFK social groups or on other social networks. Every share is extremely helpful - it’s what helped us get 40,000 responses last year.

Survey URL: https://survey.gendercensus.com

The survey is open to anyone anywhere who speaks English and feels that the gender binary doesn’t fully describe their experience of themselves and their gender(s) or lack thereof.

For the curious, you can also spy on some graphs and demographic data for the incoming responses here.

Thank you so much!

[ Link to survey ]

Image credit: Malachite and rhodochrosite.

Current Mainstream Gender Terminology is Problematic and Erases and Marginalizes the Non-binary Community

Hi peeps!

I understand that a lot of people in the gender-diverse community strongly identify and feel affirmed with the terminology trans and transgender to describe the gender-diverse community and describe one's experiences and feelings of their gender identity, but the terminology for it is problematic. Historically, transgender was primarily associated with the narrow binary framework (e.g., from man to woman or vice versa). Cisgender serves as an antonym to transgender. Transgender expanded beyond the narrow binary framework to include non-binary, but a lot of people within and outside the gender-diverse community still associate it with just trans men and trans women. Even with good intentions, language can and does perpetuate stereotypes and inequality. A lot of mainstream gender-diverse terminology conveys binary ideas of physical characteristics and gender.

The Latin prefixes "cis" and "trans" when used to describe the gender identities cis or cisgender and trans or transgender are inherently problematic because of their binary connotations. The Latin prefix “trans” means “across,” “beyond,” or “on the other side of.” For example, “Transylvania” means “beyond the forest,” and “transatlantic” means “across the Atlantic Ocean.”

The Latin prefix “cis” means “on this side of.” The scientific roots of the “cis-” prefix go even further back. In chemistry, it refers to the orientation of atoms in three-dimensional space. For example, “cis-2-butene” describes a molecule where two methyl groups are on the same side of a double bond, while “trans-2-butene” has the methyl groups on opposite sides.

So here is my idea to address it. What if we removed the Latin prefixes and replaced them with "Ex" and "Intra?"

Exgender ("Ex" meaning "out of" or "from") on its own could be a broad term that can be used to describe people whose gender identity(ies) is different from the gender they were assigned at birth (but ideally use gender-diverse). Instead of trans men, trans women, and trans people, it would be exgender men, exgender women, and exgender people.

Intragender ('intra" meaning "within" or "inside") could be a gender identity that can be used to describe people whose gender identity aligns with the gender they were assigned at birth. Instead of cisgender men, cisgender women, and cisgender people, it would be intragender men, intragender women, and intragender people.

Both intragender and exgender would still have the inclusive definitions associated with cisgender and transgender gender identities and be used in the same way. The difference is they wouldn't unintentionally reinforce the narrow gender binary that disproportionately affects the non-binary community compared to trans men and trans women (of course this depends on certain factors, such as the intersectionality of the fundamental aspects of a person's identity) and contributes to the common and serious issue of non-binaryphobia within the gender-diverse community.

There's also A LOT of other binary terminology that needs to be abolished, such as ASAB, AMAB, AFAB, assigned sex, assigned male, assigned female, FtM, MtF, male, female, sex, "biological" sex, femme-presenting, masc-presenting, masculine, feminine, etc.

A lot of these could be replaced and some just shouldn't be used at all.

Instead of male and female, use man and woman.

Instead of FTM and MTF, use exgender man, exgender woman, exgender person, non-binary person, AGAB, assigned woman at birth, assigned man at birth, etc.

Instead of ASAB, AMAB, AFAB, assigned sex, etc., use AGAB (Assigned Gender At Birth), assigned gender, assigned woman at birth, and assigned man at birth. E.g. My AGAB is woman/man.

Instead of sex and "biological" sex, use physical attributes or descriptive language to describe physical attributes, such as hormones, genitalia (penis, vagina, diverse genitalia), chromosomes, etc.

Instead of masc-presenting, femme-presenting, masculine, feminine, gender-neutral or any other word that labels certain forms of gender expression to be inherent to certain gender identities, use descriptive language.

For example:

Instead of "femme-presenting/feminine" or masc-presenting/masculine chest," use "rounded firm chest" or "flat chest, muscular chest."

Instead of "femme-presenting/feminine" or "masc-presenting/masculine" clothing, use "skirt, dress, lipstick, makeup, bra, t-shirt, baggy shorts, leather jacket, boots, etc."

No aspect of gender expression is inherently tied to any gender identity and shouldn't be falsely labeled as such, and the concepts of masculinity and femininity are baseless social constructs that change over time and often prioritize and favor cis men and marginalize other genders.

It is okay to not have bottom dysphoria. At all.

You are not less trans, you are not perverted, you are not your agab because of what's on your bottom half.

And it's also okay if you change your opinion on this later, but it's very valid if you don't, it's not a bad thing to be content with your bits.

im part asian and really distressed with the way we are treated in the queer community and progressive communities in general. We're often fetishized or desexualized, or straight-up ignored by white queer people, white trans people will take names from our culture without understanding it, and there's often an undertone when our often-ignored issues are brought up that we're worse than other people of color. more "white-adjacent" or something. our cultures are conflated and we are treated as though we don't matter.

its a huge problem and even anti racist queers dont seem to talk much about it? but thank you for bringing it up!

I'm a little late to the party, but HAPPY LESBIAN (or WLW) VISIBILITY WEEK!

Tumblr Tuesday: Women Loving Women in Art

It's Lesbian Visibility Week, an excellent time to be celebrating women who love women. Give it up for the sapphics, their muses, and the gorgeous art that honors them.

@greenfinchg:

@ripleylarue:

@femmegrey:

@mimimar:

@onzze:

@yinza:

@emiuli:

@flora-valleyy:

@karlovycross:

@circusbutch:

@jaxalope:

@drizzledrawings:

@suwisuwii:

@gibbarts:

@bearybutch:

This so true. It's ridiculous that a bunch of far-right extremists are in power and terrorizing our communities to push their fascist and authoritarian agenda.

American Psychological Association Affirms Evidence-Based Care for Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Diverse Adults and Children

The American Psychological Association (APA), the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, has adopted what it calls a “groundbreaking” policy in support of evidence-based care for transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse children, adolescents, and adults.

The policy (PDF) was approved by APA’s governing Council of Representatives at its meeting on February 24, with a vote of 153-9 with one abstention. The resolution directly counters the claim that there is no scientific consensus on gender-affirming care.

APA President Cynthia de las Fuentes, speaking of the new policy resolution, states, “It sends a clear message that state bans on gender-affirming care disregard the comprehensive body of medical and psychological research supporting the positive impact of such treatments in alleviating psychological distress and improving overall well-being for transgender, gender diverse and nonbinary individuals throughout their lives.”

The policy includes several findings and resolutions, such as:

Gender affirming medical care is medically necessary - “the APA underscores the necessity for access to comprehensive, gender-affirming healthcare for transgender, gender-diverse, and nonbinary children, adolescents, and adults”

The organization opposes bans on gender affirming care - “the APA opposes state bans on gender-affirming care, which are contrary to the principles of evidence-based healthcare, human rights, and social justice, and which should be reconsidered in favor of policies that prioritize the well-being and autonomy of transgender, gender-diverse, and nonbinary individuals”

Being trans is not “caused” by autism or post-traumatic stress - “legislative efforts to restrict access to care have involved the dissemination of misleading and unfounded narratives (e.g., mischaracterizing gender dysphoria as a manifestation of traumatic stress or neurodivergence, and equating affirming care for transgender, gender-diverse, and nonbinary youth with child abuse), creating a distorted perception of the psychological and medical support necessary for these youth and creating a hostile environment that adversely affects their mental health and wellbeing.”

False information on trans care needs to be combatted - “APA supports efforts to address and rectify the dissemination of false information to ensure the well-being and dignity of transgender, gender-diverse, and nonbinary individuals”

Discrimination, non-affirmation, and rejection risks suicide - “gender-based bias and mistreatment (e.g., discrimination, violence, non-affirmation, or rejection in response to gender diversity) pose significant harm, including risk of suicide, to the well-being of children, adolescents, adults, and families.”

The APA is only one of many professional medical, legal, and child service organizations that have issued formal statements in support of LGBTQ families and individuals based on scientific evidence. 

Hello my fellow dykes, we have officially become visible ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

All sillies aside, please consider donating to Emily Gwen or sharing this if you can! Link

Amazing stuff on what they accomplished and represented for Black communities, especially for Black children. I bet all the racists and white supremacists whined and gave disgusted reactions when Nichelle made history with that groundbreaking kiss, but they can go suck an egg and toss rocks. Albeit it wasn’t a romantic moment by choice but rather coerced and uncomfortable for both characters. Despite the circumstances, it sent a powerful message about acceptance and tolerance, challenged societal norms, and hinted at a future where such relationships would be accepted.

The story of Nichelle Nichols and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Actress Nichelle Nichols who made television history in the 1960s with her portrayal of “Star Trek” character Lieutenant Nyota Uhura – a breakthrough role that showed an African American woman in a position of power as the fourth in command of a starship. At the end of the first season, however, Nichols was frustrated by the show’s development and considering a move back to Broadway until she met a very special fan who convinced her how important her role on the show was – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

After Nichols told Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry that she was leaving the show, he encouraged her to think it over. That weekend, she attended a fundraiser for the NAACP and met King who told her he was a “Trekkie” and “Lieutenant Uhura’s most ardent fan.” As Nichols described in an interview with the Huffington Post, when King learned that she was leaving, he urged her to stay, stating: “‘Don’t you realize how important your presence, your character is? This is not a black role or a female role. You have the first nonstereotypical role on television. You have broken ground’… ‘Here we are marching, and there you are projecting where we’re going. You cannot leave [the show]. Don’t you understand what you mean?’ I told him that when I would go on hiatus from the show, I could come and march with him and he said, ‘No! You’re an image for us. We look on that screen and we know where we’re going.’ It was like he was saying, ‘Free at last, free at last!’” Nichols did stay on the show with its entire run and went on to make history again in 1968 as part of the first scripted interracial kiss on TV with William Shatner, who played the show’s lead character, Captain James T. Kirk. Nichols’ groundbreaking character had a huge cultural influence, especially as a role model for many African American girls. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, has cited her as an important influence and even used Uhura’s signature line “Hailing frequencies open” during the course of her duties on the space shuttle.”

Source

How Martin Luther King Jr. convinced ‘Star Trek’s’ Lt. Uhura to stay on the show

Great stuff. It's amazing how love is a universal experience across diverse cultures and societies.

Allah Loves Equality - A Voice for LGBTQIA+ Muslims & Minorities

🌈☪️Allah Loves Equality is a revolutionary campaign that was started by a Pakistani Gay Muslim Activist Wajahat Abbas Kazmi The campaign amplified the voices of marginalised womxn including Queer womxn,Pakistani LGBTQ community as well as LGBTQIA+ muslims.Hashtag #AllahLovesEquality has been trending since 2016.The campaign gain both supports & criticisms. Through his campaign,wajahat wanted to spread the message of TRUE Islam,wanted to end hate & bigotry within muslim societies.The message of ''Allah Loves Equality'' was spred across the continents.A documentary film by the same name was directed by Wajahat Abbas Kazmi to documents the lives of queer muslims in Islamic State of Pakistan🇵🇰 It was a very courageous thing that he has done.Like A jihad for Love,Poshida:Pakistan's Hidden LGBT, Allah Loves Equality film abled to show Pakistan's underground queer & sexual minority.

Wajahat Abbas Kazmi campaigning in Pride March of Italy 🇮🇹🇵🇰🏳️‍🌈

Turkish Gay muslim model is holding #AllahLovesEquality

#AllahLoveEquality in Europe's first Muslim LGBTQ+ Pride 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈☪️

A Queer Palestianian holding #AllahLovesEquality in Jerusalem Pride.

Filipino Muslim Filmmaker Rhadem Musawah marching with #AllahLovesEquality 🇵🇭🏳️‍🌈