February 2012
7 posts
This is in reference to including intersex people on the "gender planet" page. In the upper-right caption, it says that everyone is born either in Manlandia or Ladyland. I think the "everyone" is what we're objecting to; intersex people aren't born there, they're assigned citizenship shortly after birth, and that assignment is part of what intersex activism is against. Thanks for your work on this project, it's appreciated.
Yes! That’s what I was thinking, too.
I mean, okay, it’s all a metaphor, but really, we all know that no-one is born into a gender. I used that language so folks brand new to all of this would buy into the metaphor (this is like page 3 of the book, don’t want to confuse anyone too early), but it is deeply flawed when I think about it, and warrants changing.
most folks grow up in one landmass or the other, or are assumed to be citizens of one or the other. That wording is definitely what I’m planning on changing at the moment, because, though I like the idea of an intersex atlantian island for creative reasons, it’s still not usually a gender identity, and like you’ve mentioned, most folks I’ve talked to were not given that option; they were instead shuttled to the closest/most medically convenient landmass available to be raised in the traditions and norms of that ‘land.’
Anyway, thank you for all of your feedback, and please do keep it coming, especially if you have thoughts on specific wording that is honoring to all, while still being accessible to all. That’s one of our biggest challenges in writing a book like this.
Thanks again!
In community,
Mel, resident artist, the GENDER book
Hi! I've been enjoying watching these pages appear on tumblr, though I see a big hole in this page. Intersex people are completely absent; it is important to recognize that not everyone is born on Manlandia or Ladyland.
Thanks for voicing that, beans. How would you incorporate intersex folks to this page?
To my understanding, intersex is matter of sex, you know, your body parts and DNA, not so much about gender, which is why we didn’t include it here (it certainly is covered elsewhere in the book, scroll back to see the pages about it).
Our thought process was that, for *most* intersex people we’ve talked to, they were pigeonholed or assumed into one of the two most socially acceptable gender roles shortly after birth. I’m not saying this is a good thing, that’s just how it often happens at the moment. And if you’re an intersex person, if you identify as trans probably depends most on how you were socialized more than your body. Yeah?
Let us know if your or anyone you know has a differing experience. We really love hearing from you and we’re just super open to hearing how we can make the book as a whole as inclusive as possible.
Let’s keep brainstorming. What do you think, other tumblrs?
In community,
Mel, the artist
Need erasers~ Donate to the GENDER book?
Hi Tumblrs!
So, last night I dreamt of erasers. Like the kind on top of pencils. Drawers and drawers of them. Blue and lavender, all different shapes. And then I woke up and realized my pencil drawer is looking sad.
Before I go to the art supply store, I just thought I’d throw this out there: the GENDER book (yes, every single image you see on this blog) is a 100% labor of love from 3hardworking individuals.
A package of erasers costs $6.95. Can you spare that, to help the project out? I normally am opposed to this sort of appeal, but if you knew how much time and <3 and $$ we’ve already put into these informational graphics and booklets, you’d know I’m not asking anything of you I haven’t already given myself.
So, please consider a little donation- every single donor will be honored in our book, from one cent on up.
We could really use $500 to help finish this project. Can you help us get there?
In community,
Mel, illustrator and co-creator of the GENDER book
(totally broke? we understand. please visit our website for more ways to help and get involved, or repost this to folks who may be in a better place to help. Thanks!)
