The Effect of Class on Gender

Filed By Drew Cordes | July 22, 2012 1:00 PM

http://www.bilerico.com/2012/07/the_effect_of_class_on_gender.php

I've been thinking more and more lately about the big effect class has had on my gender. We tend to think of gender (those of us who do often ponder it) as very personal - an expression of identity that is fundamental to the core of our being. Yet, when I think about where I am in my self-understanding and self-acceptance, as well as how I got here, my relationship with my gender becomes less intimate, personal and direct, and more practical, lucky - a product of the same system we often perceive ourselves as opposing.

Let's examine this by working backward. I am Drew Cordes, female, currently 30 years of age, and happy with my gender identity expression. After 30 years, I finally feel I'm the person I should be. How did I get here?

I'm a veteran of successful sex reassignment surgery and facial feminization surgery; I have years of hormone replacement therapy under my belt; I have endured hours upon hours of electrolysis; I've had voice modulation lessons/therapy; I've spent many hours talking (and some just blankly staring) with a therapist who specializes in gender transition. I know (I don't "believe," I know) that I would not be who/where/what I am right now if not for all those things, and more.

I am the end; those were the means.