Quote (inkanddagger @ Sep 26 2019 05:49pm)

Analysis: gender is make believe and preventing either biological sex from participating in any gender role or presentation of identity is utter bullshit. Remove gender from society and suddenly there is no particular reason for most to transition as all gender presentations are available to them. Reactionary right wingers tend to focus too much on biology, as if fingernail polish and shaved legs are biological. Gender is an outward expression of self. And outward expressions of self tend to change over time. Preventing that is preventing human liberty.

Quote (inkanddagger @ Sep 26 2019 02:49pm)

Analysis: gender is make believe and preventing either biological sex from participating in any gender role or presentation of identity is utter bullshit. Remove gender from society and suddenly there is no particular reason for most to transition as all gender presentations are available to them. Reactionary right wingers tend to focus too much on biology, as if fingernail polish and shaved legs are biological. Gender is an outward expression of self. And outward expressions of self tend to change over time. Preventing that is preventing human liberty.

Quote (majorblood @ 27 Sep 2019 09:22)

what makes you confident that gendered behavior isn't naturally associated with biological sex?
if we follow your idea and remove gender as a concept the same issues would still occur but we'd just use the word sex and male//female.
the majority of ring wingers aren't preventing people from expressing their gender identity in terms of fashion, shaving legs, etc but take issue with giving experimental and potentially dangerous treatment to children, men who identify as women in women's sports, or other issues where biology is actually relevant.

Quote (duffman316 @ 26 Sep 2019 00:47)

So scaly doesn't exist? I knew it :bouncy:

Quote (inkanddagger @ Sep 26 2019 05:49pm)

Analysis: gender is make believe and preventing either biological sex from participating in any gender role or presentation of identity is utter bullshit. Remove gender from society and suddenly there is no particular reason for most to transition as all gender presentations are available to them. Reactionary right wingers tend to focus too much on biology, as if fingernail polish and shaved legs are biological. Gender is an outward expression of self. And outward expressions of self tend to change over time. Preventing that is preventing human liberty.

Quote

Since school started, I've been seeing little snippets in my 3rd grader's class newsletter emails about discussion of identity. She goes to a very progressive school, and they spend the first month building "community." I've mentioned it to her a few times wondering if they would discuss gender identity, but haven't gotten any red flags. Her "identity tree" (that all the kids made) has things like her favorite color, sports, pets, etc. She is admittedly kind of tomboyish with activites, hates dresses, but she also has some girly preferences, such as wanting "high heels" on her boots, or anything that makes her feel "grown up"

2 days ago, she came home from school all excited explaining to me what gender neutral means, and claims to now identify as they/them. I was initially shocked and probably didn't handle it well. I told her that her teachers are wrong and she's definitely a girl and told her she has a vagina. She got really upset, and said she FEELS like a girl and a boy inside. Then she started to cry. I immediately changed approach. I told her I love her so much, held her, and stared telling her stories of when she was little. This calmed her and excited her. Then I told her it sucks to be 8, but its amazing being a grown woman. I started telling her about all the female milestones she gets to look forward to, and one thing that came up was getting boobs, Haha. She told me another girl in her class wears training bras, so I agreed to get her one (even though she's flat as a board). I also offered to take her shopping so she can pick out her own "style." I know she's trying to form her identity, so I'm trying to be as encouraging and supportive as possible to let her express herself in a healthy way.

Anything else you would suggest to help her feel empowered and unique? I'm pissed that the school thought this was an appropriate conversation for 8 year old's. And I feel like saying that a girl that enjoys boy activities being gender-neutral or trans is another oppressive way of saying the girls aren't allowed to do boy things. We need to still be encouraging girls to be empowered as girls.