Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I was just thinking about a topic that I find fascinating, which is the taxonomy of gender expression (I like 50 cent words).  I know some people hate labels, but I like them, if they're owned and celebrated by the person identifying that way. 

What I mean is things like:  High Femme, tomboy, gender neutral, hyper masculine.  Things like that.  I get a kick out of the different labels like these and I think they are descriptive. 

Does anyone have a favorite or preferred descriptor?  Can anyone share a good resource on these sorts of labels?

Thanks.

Exotic hybrid.  :)

Labels are funny things.  People seem to be happier when they can tag others and put them in a box; "Oh!  You're a ..."

OK, labels for me:

I am a woman.

I am a lesbian.

I am "blue jean femme."

I am a transgender person, MtF.

Some explanation:   The "blue jean femme" is a flavor of lesbian that happens to like makeup, and a feminine but casual presentation, more blue jeans than dresses.  "Femme" lesbians tend to present in a more traditional gender-specific presentation, and are criticized within the community for not rejecting these gender-specific tokens.

"High femme" is (in my experience) a presentation of exaggerated femininity, slightly over the top makeup and dress, often to make a statement about traditional gender-specific presentation.

You may also hear "lipstick lesbian" as a slightly derogatory way of referring to femme women.  Naturally it backfires and gets embraced by some in the community!

One of the funnier things about 'femme' is that they are almost invisible to the lesbian community, not having 'the look' about them.  Where I live there is practically a dress code within the community, and the femme folks aren't following it.  Eye contact and 'the nod' help work around this.

(There are some women's and lesbian spaces I am welcome in, and some I am not.  I observe and learn where I can.  People are so darn interesting!)

Yes!  'blue jean femme'  I love it! 

I have a coworker who is 'high femme' and her ability to look glamorous is unparalleled! 

When I was younger, I used to judge that wrong, because I didn't really understand aesthetics and had some misguided ideas.  Now I have mad mad respect for the amount of craft that goes into the wearable art she models every day!  Somehow she does this without looking tacky.  Like, walks up to the tacky line, sniffs, kicks it aside. 

Of course, she's a total sweetheart.  Being nice makes every aesthetic look better :) 

First I would note that ...
Gender Expression is distinct from Gender Identity
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi876.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab328%2F007www%2FSsP%2FTGD-BAnnGenFlu03_zpsxfvt5l5z.png%7Eoriginal&hash=284f24707e2940f1ff2d8a0370e80c4d07dd13a9)

Then I would point those interested ...
to see a GenderExpression post highlighting
a Victoria's Secret SuperModel
who is: GenderFluid
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi876.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab328%2F007www%2FSsP%2FLimAdri04_zpsmkqwpsrl.jpg%7Eoriginal&hash=3f7c9c8aa16bac782a821c863be06146ec45c7f9) (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,224276.msg1986345.html#msg1986345)

Girl next door.

  I'm known to my friends as "A Mean Rotten Old Fart in a cowboy hat" or a MROF in a cowboy hat

  Soon they will have to change it to "A Mean Rotten Old Broad in a cowboy hat"

  Hugs,
   Laurie

All of this labeling and classification brings to mind this scene:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dd_qiuWxPs

One of my favorite Milla movies!

Hahaha!  yes, I love it all!   

The 5th Element is so good at Environmental storytelling.  That scene is a great example.  "No sir, I am a meat popsicle"  hehehe. 

@Annecy :  I will have to take a look at that post/vid you referenced to the gender fluid victoria secret model.  I am intrigued.

I am also interested in the difference between expression and identity.  That is something I will read more about so I can get it clear in my mind. 

Perky waitress: Hi, guys!
My wife: Don't call us guys.  We're dames or broads.

Given my pelvic structure, I'm probably never going to be a broad, so I guess I'm a dame.  Preferably a classy dame.

The one the is not like the others


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk