52 Scene
NETTY’S WORLD
HOMELY HOMILY
Sock it to ’em
Queer reads
) I noticed that Sock it to ’em ) What does ‘gender’ actually mean these days? I know it’s never had anything to do with sexual orientation. One definition is that there is physically male and female of our species and this DNA decision on a cellular level is immutable. Maybe the future will see an ability to alter the chromosomes that make us, but until then, we’re all stuck with XX, XY, or very rarely a true hermaphrodite may have both. Lucky things.
) There is no doubt that a well written book on issues on LGBTQ+ for anyone wanting to find their way can have a massive impact knowing you’re not alone and most importantly empowering you to be your true self.
BY NETTY WENDT
When I was a child, I wanted to be a boy. I’d secretly wear a sock down my pants. I excelled at footy and cricket with the lads. I climbed trees, played with Action Man, Meccano, and read boys comics, all the while despising the trappings of girlish life. It wasn’t a life to me, it was training to be a second class citizen.
“Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore. We’ve come a long way from the days when I was sent home from my office job and lost a day’s wages for having the temerity to wear trousers instead of a skirt” I remember once a boy said I couldn’t play with him and his mates because I was a girl, so I lifted my school pinafore and showed him my bulge. His eyes widened “Blimey! She really IS a boy!” Being transgender was so easy in my childish world, with no operations, no hormone therapy, just an old sock and a smile! By the time puberty hit, I realised I did not in fact want to be male, I merely wished for the freedom and entitlement that is universally bestowed upon males at birth. I wanted to break free from the shackles of my female status, but I loved being a woman… and I loved other women too. Now in the modern world, we are faced with a conundrum. Is gender relevant? ‘Non-binary’ and ‘gender fluid’ are terms that tell me which way the wind is blowing, and quite frankly, I’d prefer a genderneutral world to the cultural polarisation I grew up in. But there are times when a person’s birth assignment cannot be ignored. A transgender male friend of mine still has a cervix and is currently having trouble booking a smear test, because he’s a man. Another problem all this neutrality masks is the need to identify and address difficult and uncomfortable truths.Journalists now talk about ‘people’ committing rape, when statistics show 91% of victims are women and only 9% male. We have to find new ways of tackling realities no matter how offensive or upsetting it may be to the new gender-free world. Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore. We’ve come a long way from the days when I was sent home from my office job and lost a day’s wages for having the temerity to wear trousers instead of a skirt. What a subversive devil I was. But the world is still skewed massively in favour of men. Women are still routinely paid less than our male counterparts, misogyny is rife and I’m still scared to walk home at night. Oh bloody hell, better dig out that sock.
BY GLENN STEVENS
With this in mind, I would like to highlight four books that I have recently read as part of my journey to be a better trans ally, for those making their own gender journey and for everyone who would like to be better informed. There may be those who bemoan the inclusive alphabet, LGBTQ+; instead of seeing this as a minefield of confusion, see it as a treasure trove of better understanding the diverse group of fabulous people out there.
Gender: A Graphic Novel by Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele Because it’s a graphic novel, I found this a really user friendly way of getting a good insight of the history of gender which showed just how connected we all are in the fight to be seen, understood and respected regardless of which letter we find ourselves using. One of the most important themes in the book is that of recognising our own sense of self and to respect, embrace and celebrate other people’s journeys.
A Quick and Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns by Archie Bongiovanni, Tristan Jimerson This slim volume is an easy way to learn to understand the use of genderneutral pronouns and why this is important to understand their use.
The Making of a Man: Notes on Transsexuality by Maxim Februari I absolutely love this book, packed with a wide range of information not only regarding Februari’s journey of transitioning but also answers a host of questions people ask a transgender person, along with reminders of the type of question you really do not need to ask. As well as writing about his own journey, Februari also gives some fascinating information on transgender history, all written in an easy to access style of writing as well as a dash of humour when needed.
Trans: A Memoir by Juliet Jacques Within this memoir, Jacques takes the reader on a very personal journey of discovery and gives an insight to what it takes to become your true self, searching for an understanding of who they are, while growing up in a time and place where speaking about being transgender was not the done thing. It is only when Jacques moves to Brighton does she have the full confidence to explore being the woman she is. Despite Brighton being flagged as a liberal town, Jacques still encountered transphobia both in her workplace and around town, which is something that still happens today. My main thoughts from reading these books is about the greater need for tolerance required by us all. Should you be one of those people who thinks it is OK to loudly express your opinions regarding someone else's gender or sexuality, take a step back, think about the language you are using and consider something positively inclusive for all.
