So would you accept a third gender then?

[Shana A]

Fiona Fox's Tales
Saturday, 15 March 2008
So would you accept a third gender then?

http://foxstales.blogspot.com/2008/03/so-would-you-accept-third-gender-then.html

Well it's infinitely better than being male was my instant response to yet another deep searching question from "L". Yeah we're speaking again well more like discussing the meaning of life, god & the universe between comparing fashion!

We're trying to learn to be just friends which of course is not easy after such a tempestuous affair. I hope we make it but "L" and I have no secrets and have revealed our souls to each other so who knows where we end up. I'm determinedly switching off my ability to foresee future events. (I hope.)

[Sheila]

I can accept a third gender if it becomes a reality. I do believe that we only have the two genders (binary system) and that we really do have a blend of our genders. We go from the very macho man to the very feminine woman. All that is between is the average people. I believe that the TS person does cross the midway line and is very much into the opposite of their birth gender. The ones who are in the middle, I believe, are who they feel they are and that surgery is not important to them. Just my opinion. I didn't want to go into detail and I'm not.
Sheila

[RebeccaFog]

I'm okay with a 3rd gender.  I'm up for anything, apparently.


I had some trouble with this:

We're trying to learn to be just friends which of course is not easy after such a tempestuous affair. I hope we make it but "L" and I have no secrets and have revealed our souls to each other so who knows where we end up. I'm determinedly switching off my ability to foresee future events. (I hope.)

If they have no secrets from each other, then why has "L" not revealed the remaining letters of their name to Fiona Fox?

[cindianna_jones]

I've thought about the possibility of a "third gender" for some time. If you look in nature this does exist.

Take the bees for example.  They have males, females, and drones.  Our "third gender" does have some drone similarities.

BUT.... a third gender status for all of us may prove to be problematic.  It could be the star of David armband that we really don't want.

The radical right accuse of us of not being able to define even ourselves pointing out the numerous terms we use.  I do not disagree.  It can all be very confusing and I AM one. 

I truly wish that I could have just been born female and skirted this thing entirely.

Cindi

[Hazumu]

Third gender?

But it's gotta' be fifty-fifty - even-steven equal.

Just like male and fema...

...oh, never mind--

=K

[Shana A]

Seems to be a cultural difference of how to achieve equal rights... in USA, people wish to transition and have all legal documents reflect their new gender, in India, for example, where there is history of hijra, they are trying to attain legal third gender status.

In some ways, I'd like to see a combination of both. I'd be happy if all my legal documents could say other instead of M or F. For that matter, why our ID, etc., even has to state gender at all is in question. But that's just me, whatever method works for everyone else is OK too. As long as we have equal rights.

Z

[lady amarant]

In some ways, I'd like to see a combination of both. I'd be happy if all my legal documents could say other instead of M or F. For that matter, why our ID, etc., even has to state gender at all is in question. But that's just me, whatever method works for everyone else is OK too. As long as we have equal rights.

My sentiments more or less exactly. There is so much variation amongst us anyway, that we should be free to put 'female', 'male' 'trans', 'neither', 'either', 'both', 'other', ...

As you say: As long as we are treated equally, it really is a personal thing.

[Seshatneferw]

I've thought about the possibility of a "third gender" for some time. If you look in nature this does exist.

Ah, but that is sex (the biological thing), not gender (the social thing loosely based on sex). The case for sex is easier, although even here there isn't always a nice sharp line between the two. Gender, however, is more complex in such ways that the borderline cases are far more numerous (and varied). Whether you want to lump them together as a 'third gender' or describe them in terms of the two main ones is ultimately a matter of taste. The main thing, as you say, is not having to wear a pink triangle.

  Nfr

[cindianna_jones]

This also bears a similarity to the case that is bandied about for  "civil unions" for the gay community.  "Separate but equal".  Oh my, but that sounds discriminatory. I see very little equality in that.

M, F, and O(ther) may be a solution for some.  If the O is acceptable to those who would choose it then I suppose it might be okay.  But I worry about the bashers taking that as an excuse to kill someone.  There lies the rub.

I'll still choose to circle the "F" in my travels.

Cindi

[RebeccaFog]

I'd be an 'O' or a 'T'.

[Shana A]

Thinking of it a bit more, instead of "other", I'd like my gender marker to say "none of your damn business"  > Does anyone know of a legitimate reason why driver's licenses, birth certificates, job applications, etc., even need to state our sex?!! I can't think of one.

Z

[RebeccaFog]

    Now that same sex couples can get married, it's really stupid to have a sex marker on your marriage certificate.  It's not like anyone is trying to get away with anything.
   

[cindianna_jones]

My hubby will tell you that if they ask "Sex" on an application, he will put Y for YES!



Cindi

[Alyssa M.]

The radical right accuse of us of not being able to define even ourselves pointing out the numerous terms we use.  I do not disagree.  It can all be very confusing and I AM one. 

mmm... definitions. 

Okay, how about this one from Merriam Webster:

spectrum
2 a: a continuous sequence or range <a wide spectrum of interests> <opposite ends of the political spectrum>

O well, I doubt it will help. Why exactly do you want to "define" yourself, anyway?

I truly wish that I could have just been born female and skirted this thing entirely.

Cindi

Ouch. pun. hurt.  >



(edit: maybe I was too tired when I wrote this and sounded like I was putting you down, Cindy -- not at all, just thought what you said was funny, and I sometimes get irritated by the whole issue of definitions. Alas, we need words to be able to communicate, but sometimes they hinder communication as much as they help.)

[RebeccaFog]

My hubby will tell you that if they ask "Sex" on an application, he will put Y for YES!



Cindi

which is why he was unable to get that Priest gig he wanted.

[cindianna_jones]

My hubby will tell you that if they ask "Sex" on an application, he will put Y for YES!



Cindi

which is why he was unable to get that Priest gig he wanted.

I'm going to have to pass that one along to him.  That is too funny.

Cindi

[RebeccaFog]

Thank you.  I aim to cause giggles.   


I also have a new response for

So would you accept a third gender then?

Yes, but only on the condition that I remain anonymous.