ZThemes

Gender queer through the eyes of a child

Submitted by seitanworshiper

To preface, I should probably say that I’m (a cis-female) gender queer and view gender as a fluid spectrum. When I wish to portray myself as (stereotypically) male/female, I do so and I like the pronoun usage to match my portrayal. Generally I attempt androgyny and prefer gender neutral pronouns. 

Last weekend, I was feeling the testosterone, so I duded up. I was at the county fair with my mohawk spiked up, and when it stands at attention it’s nearly a foot. A little girl, no more than four or five, approached me, and said “Excuse me sir, mommy says if you say it’s okay, I can please touch your hair spikes?” I answered, “Of course you can!” and kneel down so she can pat my ‘hawk. She looked confused and said, “You look like a boy but you sound like a girl. Are you a boy or a girl?” I wasn’t too sure how to respond, especially with mom just a few yards away, but I told her as simply and honestly as I could, “I’m both. Sometimes I’m a boy, sometimes I’m a girl, sometimes I’m both, and sometimes I’m neither. I tell you what I ALWAYS am though?” She looked expectantly at me as I paused. “Me! And that’s what matters the most.” She was quiet for a moment, then nodded and patted my hair. “What are you today?” “Today, I’m a boy.” She poked at my mohawk one last time and giggled. “Okay! Thank you sir!” She then skipped off and the last I saw of her, was on the spinning teacup rides at the fair.

Why can’t it just be that simple for everyone?

(Submitted by seitanworshiper)