Quote from: InBetween (Merrick-Scott) on September 09, 2007, 03:50:36 PM
I am starting to wonder if the only reason I thought maybe androgyne instead of male is that I was raised female.

I can understand that, except my situation is more like Laurry's in reverse.  I was the oldest grandchild and only girl among several boys and I was really pushed into being a tomboy.  No one ever bought me cute clothes or dolls, really.  I was really the only girl in a world of boys.  Even my friends at school were boys.  I didn't usually play with the girls. 

I have wondered at times if only being with boys affected me at all, but in the end, I don't think so.  I would be me no matter what.    

Yes, I do feel like there is a feminine part to me too.



-Merrick-Scott

Herein always lies the problem, origins. No matter how you talk about it, it always seems to be hitting a nerve.

Quote from: Jaimey on September 11, 2007, 04:06:25 PM

Quote from: InBetween (Merrick-Scott) on September 09, 2007, 03:50:36 PM
I am starting to wonder if the only reason I thought maybe androgyne instead of male is that I was raised female.

I can understand that, except my situation is more like Laurry's in reverse.  I was the oldest grandchild and only girl among several boys and I was really pushed into being a tomboy.  No one ever bought me cute clothes or dolls, really.  I was really the only girl in a world of boys.  Even my friends at school were boys.  I didn't usually play with the girls. 

I have wondered at times if only being with boys affected me at all, but in the end, I don't think so.  I would be me no matter what.    

its interesting though

Hi, I'm new and I would like to ask a question. I think this thread is the right place to do it:

For obvious reason, there was talked a lot about "identifying as man/woman" but I absolutely cannot conceive of this concept...
What does it mean to identify as a specific gender? Does it mean one is content (or not) with the anatomical equipment one was born with? And that one takes pride in the things one can do with it? (Giving birth, peeing while standing, etc.)
Or does it mean one is comfortable (or not) with the socially constructed gender role that goes with that equipment? (There are so many people who completely defy any gender roles and nevertheless identify appropriately to their nature-given sex.)
Or is it a mixture of both?

Somebody said earlier that sex was natural, but gender is just socially constructed. Well, the exact gender roles surely are, but I think gender has to be more complicated. I mean what about transsexuals?
To me, being born with the wrong body makes more sense than suddenly *believing* to be born with the wrong body because of a social construct.

Good subject. I did recognize a some things wrotten by different people. But most of all I did recognize this part. Except ;In my situation you could replace the words male as female, female as male

Quote from: Rebis on September 06, 2007, 07:20:00 PM
    Knowing if you identify as androgyne is difficult to explain.  For myself, I first had to admit that I do not identify as male.  Then I struggled to identify as female, but found I don't identify as female either.  I relate better to females, but I don't identify that way.
    I am uncomfortable appearing even moderately masculine or overly feminine.


That's all I have for now, I guess.



Rebis

I will try to explain my thoughts and experiences. As child t the age of 2, 5 years old. I was playing " the dukes of Hazard". And I always want to be the blond one in the game , Bo.  I had no idea that that that was not possible or what.
At the same age I can remember that my mother ( not gay) did had some female and male acquaintances that were gay.
( I am 30 now) So whenn I was going to school, I was shocked that it was not everywhere accepted.
Most of my friends at early age were boys. Later some girls. Friendships with girl , I had the feeling that it was better or expected to hang around with girls.
About my toys; starwars, never dolls but I did Like dogs, bears of pluche and they the same things with them like others did with dolls ( my real pets now are reliefed that I don't threat them like my pluche pets  )
On friday afternoon at school ( 8/9 years old) we did some acts like playbacking; I was dress up like George Michael a lot and sometimes Madonna. Never analyze that for me it was just the 2 I would love to be.
Later whenn I've found out that I had not much in common with the most people in my life.I started to think about it. during my search and on my way, I just came to the same conclusion as Rebis

In between, like the topicstarter wrote , is for me a good descripion. I don't like to labe people and also not label myself. Androgyne ; is a too big label. Cause I read a lot different experiences. Of course each one does have his own experiences. Male/ Female is too complicated. I know I do have have the most in common with people that are calling themself androgyne.
But I like in BETWEEN

It is difficult to know.  For me, I knew what I wasn't.  I am biologically female, but to me, that's just plumbing.  I do not relate to women well at all.  When I was younger, most of my friends were boys.  As I got older, I became friends with girls, but I was always in groups where there were boys and girls.  None of my female friends were overly feminine and none of my guy friends were "macho" types.  We were all kind of in the middle.  I used to think that I might be transgendered, but when I tried to imagine myself as a man, I knew that didn't feel right either. 

Basically, I've always known that I wasn't like other people, male or female.  Once I read up on what it meant to be androgyne, I knew that's what I was.

Also, to me, your sex is just plumbing.  I use the women's restroom because that's the body I have.  Gender identity is definitely more complex, but to oversimplify it a little, think June Cleaver (in the past) and someone like Jennifer Lopez or Julia Roberts (for a modern referene) versus a guy like Sylvester Stallone.  I guess the social constructs of gender identity have a lot to do with ideals.  The ideal woman versus ideal man and you relate to those ideals.  There is a poll/topic on here (I can't remember the title) that used a football field to define gender.  You've got Stallone in one end zone and Paris Hilton in the other.  Androgyne would (theoretically) be in the exact center. 

I hope I could help a little.