I believe gender shouldn't be an either or choice. In my just completed story "Old friend,New love" I tried to present two people trying to find a new balance in their gender expression. In the process they find someone that loves both sides.
Not many percieved it that way. But I would like some feedback. How would describe the characters Kevin/Kate and Chris/Chrissie on a masculine/feminine scale. For example Kevin/Kate 10%M/80%F (yes it doesn't need to add up to 100% if you feel some uncertanty).
With more reader encouragement (hint) Chris and Kate may take off, in the motorhome, at various stops they may emerge in any variety of their gender presentations, which pair(s) would you like to see more of? If you have suggestions for adventures I would prefer you PM them rather than comment in the blog.
Finally I would like to thank all the readers, Kudo givers, and especially the commentors.
Comments
And
Don't forget those who have no gender, those who are of another gender entirely (non-binary) and those who can be multiple genders (bi gender, tri gender, gender fluid)
Yep gender is complicated :D
I know who I am, I am me, and I like me ^^
Transgender, Gamer, Little, Princess, Therian and proud :D
IMHO
People have different amounts of masculinity and femininity in their personality from both nature and nurture, but maybe these sex referencing, all encompassing terms are too vague. Maybe personality traits should be described more specifically with terms like supportiveness, compassion, sensitivity, empathy, etc. Sex labeled traits are too loaded and could seem to conflict with more common, socially stereotyped behavioral terms like manliness, girlyness, etc.
I think gender identity is more binary and biological, not completely of course. Some claim to be bigenderal, gender queer or gender fluid. Part of these might be ego gratifying, seeking attention, etc., but some could be describing themselves accurately. They seem, however to be a tiny minority, of that ID persisting into adulthood.
It might correspond to genital form; most people have either a penis or vagina. Intersex and other causes might create female parts that look male and vice versa; these conditions were called, in the past, male or female pseudohermaphroditism (sort of demeaning terms....). These forms aren't all that rare, however having both a penis and vagina, 'true hermaphroditism', is very rare.
The brain's gender or gender ID starts differentiating much later in fetal development than physical sex and seems more easily affected by transitory hormone imbalance in the mother. E.G. It seems those moms who took DES, supposedly to prevent miscarriage, around 1950, ended up with lots of Tgal kids as well as daughters with much greater cancer risks to their reproductive track. Studies of Tgal brains show features just the same as in female brains, not halfway in-between.
Having a male or female gender ID is often (at least) hard wired, but this doesn't determine sex role or social gender performance or expression all that much. Wimyn, given more flexibility in presentation in our society, can be very butch and act guy-like, but still know they are female. Most of these are lesbian, but some are het or asexual, so their presentation is not (always) driven by sexual attraction/mate seeking. Gay (boy) TVs like appearing fem, but are attracted to gay men and like their genitals and don't want them changed. Some TGs might start on this route and think they're gay, but then discover their maleness was just a facade.
I think social gender expression might satisfy other needs in TVs, XDs, etc. It's not like one saying to oneself: 'I know I've always been a girl (or boy); I've known it since I was old enough to know the difference'.
To your characters, their gender ID might not matter much anymore. (I guess) they are comfortable with themselves, know and like themselves and who they are as people and in a loving and comfortable situation, don't worry about it.
Heck, I hope this makes some sense. It keeps getting harder for me to write ...
Hugs and Bright Blessings,
Renee
Like at Least One Other Commenter Here...
...if characters (or people) function happily and successfully in both gender roles, I don't see a need or even a story advantage to making them decide on one or the other.
In your story's particular case, Kate has more of a history on the femme side than Chris does, and I think it would be more of a burden on her mentally to take on a hetero role with Chrissie than vice versa. But we don't really know yet, unless more has been posted since I wrote this, and I'm not sure how important that is to Kate. We also don't know how important heterosexuality is to their sex play, though I gather it's more so to Chris than to Kevin at the present point. (Obviously since both are anatomically male at present, we're dealing with mentality and perception, not physical reality.)
We've seen that they're socially comfortable and apparently eminently passable in any of the four combinations (M-M, F-F, M-F and F-M), so there doesn't seem to be any advantage to making their choices based upon others' perceptions, assuming they follow through on their travel plans. Again, though: do they really have to (or even want to) choose?
Eric
Some of each
I don't think they have to choose. Certainly the some of each option is open. Chrissie may lack the self confidence, for passing in public. But both have opened more questions than they have answered so far.
Sex
I don't see the physical act as being important. After all your characters are not kids full of hormones itching to do something. Think of it as a bromance with an extended wardrobe.
Commentator
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