shy but chatty Freaky for Feminism…
Hi! Freaky for Feminism (FFF) here. I must admit that I’m feeling a little shy and unsure of what to say in this first post ~ other than to declare that I’m excited about the possibility of many rich discussions around gender fluidity, the ethics of posting about children who are not adults, and issues around informed consent.
I am keen, too, to talk about language associated with gender expression, and I like the term gender fluid/fluidity, which in my mind, encapsulates and honours the diverse ways in which gender is experienced, expressed and lived in people’s lives.
To be honest, I believe that all of us play with our gender ~ we practice and perform our gender constantly, sometimes consciously and others not so much. I’m most aware of it when I put any clothes on. What activity am I about to engage in? Work, play, relaxing, shopping? Is this a public appearance I am dressing for? Who will see me? What will they expect from me? What do I expect from myself? What do I expect from them? Am I going to the gym? Out for a run or cycle? Am I walking the dogs? Swimming? Skiing? To meet a friend? Which friend? Where are we going? What are we going to be doing?
I think we all have some experience with personal gender fluidity; some are more conscious of it than others. And some have a much larger range of expression than others. Mine, for instance is quite narrow, whereas my gay son’s is much broader. And it’s all part of the matrix of who we are.
It seems to me that we are living in a revolutionary time around gender expression, where folks are feeling more able to live their lives in ways that fit for them. This is not to say that living in ways that honour gender fluidity are not without challenges or discomfort, but rather to say that there seem to be more resources and groups that are committed to speaking openly and respectfully about human understandings and expressions of gender.
For example, The Youth and Gender Media Project, http://www.youthandgendermediaproject.org/Home.html, which encompasses a growing collection of short films that capture the diversity and complexity of gender non-conforming youth, and offers folks of all ages an entry point to learning about the perspectives of young folks who are seriously engaged in discussing and living gender fluidity.
Gender Spectrum, found at http://www.genderspectrum.org/, has long provided education, training and support services for medical, mental health, social services, legal and other professionals addressing concepts of children’s gender identity and expression. Clearly, raising children who don’t fit neatly into male or female boxes brings a wealth of questions and uncertainties, and Gender Spectrum provides information and support to assist folks in their quest for answers.
There are also a number of mommy blogs that are committed to addressing the complexities of parenting gender fluid children, and I am eager to follow them as these mommy bloggers bravely speak openly about their experiences with children who are gender fluid in their expression. Of particular interest to me at the moment are: http://raisingmyrainbow.com, http://feministpigs.blogspot.com/, and http://www.raisingmyboychick.com/. I know as I continue to delve into the world of mommy blogs and gender fluid parenting I will have many more insights and questions. I look forward to posting these as they develop.
I am keen, too, to talk about language associated with gender expression, and I like the term gender fluid/fluidity, which in my mind, encapsulates and honours the diverse ways in which gender is experienced, expressed and lived in people’s lives.
To be honest, I believe that all of us play with our gender ~ we practice and perform our gender constantly, sometimes consciously and others not so much. I’m most aware of it when I put any clothes on. What activity am I about to engage in? Work, play, relaxing, shopping? Is this a public appearance I am dressing for? Who will see me? What will they expect from me? What do I expect from myself? What do I expect from them? Am I going to the gym? Out for a run or cycle? Am I walking the dogs? Swimming? Skiing? To meet a friend? Which friend? Where are we going? What are we going to be doing?
I think we all have some experience with personal gender fluidity; some are more conscious of it than others. And some have a much larger range of expression than others. Mine, for instance is quite narrow, whereas my gay son’s is much broader. And it’s all part of the matrix of who we are.
It seems to me that we are living in a revolutionary time around gender expression, where folks are feeling more able to live their lives in ways that fit for them. This is not to say that living in ways that honour gender fluidity are not without challenges or discomfort, but rather to say that there seem to be more resources and groups that are committed to speaking openly and respectfully about human understandings and expressions of gender.
For example, The Youth and Gender Media Project, http://www.youthandgendermediaproject.org/Home.html, which encompasses a growing collection of short films that capture the diversity and complexity of gender non-conforming youth, and offers folks of all ages an entry point to learning about the perspectives of young folks who are seriously engaged in discussing and living gender fluidity.
Gender Spectrum, found at http://www.genderspectrum.org/, has long provided education, training and support services for medical, mental health, social services, legal and other professionals addressing concepts of children’s gender identity and expression. Clearly, raising children who don’t fit neatly into male or female boxes brings a wealth of questions and uncertainties, and Gender Spectrum provides information and support to assist folks in their quest for answers.
There are also a number of mommy blogs that are committed to addressing the complexities of parenting gender fluid children, and I am eager to follow them as these mommy bloggers bravely speak openly about their experiences with children who are gender fluid in their expression. Of particular interest to me at the moment are: http://raisingmyrainbow.com, http://feministpigs.blogspot.com/, and http://www.raisingmyboychick.com/. I know as I continue to delve into the world of mommy blogs and gender fluid parenting I will have many more insights and questions. I look forward to posting these as they develop.
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