Hey all, it's about a month into summer where I'm at, and it's been interesting.
From what I can tell, it's unfortunate that I don't identify as null-gendered, 'cuz that's mostly how I seem to be perceived lately. Case in point: asking someone whether they are 'a boy or a girl' is apparently some sort of social taboo that is not crossed unless that person is either a) drunk, b) a teenager or small child, or c) airport security. Drinking at the bar with some friends, I was asked the 'boy or girl' question by a fairly affable college-age guy; he wasn't the least bit hostile, but still... it was odd.
On a trip with the same friends, a comment came up about me; I cannot remember the exact words--not out of drunkenness but because of exhaustion from the day (up at 6am, 6hr drive then 5hrs tubing down a river, followed by the bars until 2am). Anyways, my female friends were discussing their lack of girly-ness, and someone commented something along the lines of 'well, what about... (insert my birth name here)?" I heard the word "man" in their response, and one of my friends looked at me, rather seriously, and said "well, it wouldn't surprise me." Something along those lines. Anyways, freaky; these people don't know a thing about me.
Walking down the waterfront to my town's summerfest, I garnered a few strange looks. It's mostly the young children who stare in public places, and innocently ask their parents what I am. Contrast this to the teenagers who fling "what is it?" and "hey, what the **** are you?" loudly at me while my mother and roommate are walking beside me. I am now genuinely frightened to walk down the small-town main street that I live on. There's a group of young high school age guys who seem to get kinda riled when I pass; they hang out in front of the skater shop that I live by. I hear comments and the hair on the back of my neck stands up when one gets up and starts to follow me. I try not to look at 'em when I pass. I duck into whatever store is nearby.
And it's generally awkward having a huge German security guard stare blankly at you for a few minutes and then articulate "are you a boy or a girl?" in a heavy accent while you're trying to clear security in an international airport... (This was a couple years ago, but this past month reminded me of it.)
Oh, one amusing and kinda nice thing: I got my first sir, which is surprising because I was getting beer and was clearly ID'd as 21+ by the wristband--see, I definitely don't look 21+ as a male and I'm perceived as 16 even if people think I'm female. Granted, when I spoke the poor guy looked a little flummoxed and poured me the wrong beer, but he did not correct pronouns (he did correct my beer).
