Friday, January 8, 2010

Stop Labeling

We are all forced into labels and categories, and we don’t always notice. Rich. Poor. Young. Old. Blonde. Brunette. White. Black. Catholic. Buddhist. English. Hispanic. And dozens of others. But the least obvious categories are Girls and Boys. They can be called other things, like Females and Males, or Women and Men, Chicks and Dudes, Dolls and Guys.

The Girl has only female organs, is attracted only to boys, and (less commonly accepted) plays ‘house’ or with dolls, is docile, subservient, good in the household, unable to lead, and less able than the Boy.

The Boy has only male organs, is attracted only to girls, and (again less commonly accepted) is dominant, a capable leader and a good example, is above household duties except physically difficult tasks like mowing the lawn, and more able than the Girl.

I think the biggest problem people have with GLBTQ people is that they break those boundaries.

Intersex and transsexuals have physical makeup that breaks the boundaries. Gay, bisexual, and most especially labelless people break the boundaries of attraction. Femme and butch people of the opposite sex (not to mention capable women and type B men) break the boundaries of what is appropriate to enjoy, be good at, ‘Gay’ has become a separate category, but even it has its rules, like attracted only to the same sex and is either resembling the opposite sex, or is ‘with’ someone like that.

That would be a good final goal: For there to be no labels. For people not to have to come out, but for guys to be able to say, "I'm dating this great guy" or "I used to have this great game I played with dolls" (and vice versa for girls) without anybody batting an eye. I don't know that that'll happen in my lifetime, but it would be nice to hope.

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