XYZ
the gender labels edition
Z X Y
ÂŁ2.50
gender labels now
GENDER LABELS NOW 3. TICK THE BOX, WHO ARE YOU? 5. GET ON THE GENDER BUS 6.CISGENDER 7. AGENDER 8. GENDER PRONOUNS 10.GENDER FLUID 11. RAINBOW FLAG 12. ANDROGYNY 14.TRANS TERMS 16. EMMA ROEBUCK 20. TRANS ACTIVISM 22.GENDER BENDER 24. GENDER RULES 26.MILEY 28. CAITYN 30. RUBY
Published, Edited and Designed by: Olivia Gascoine, Vanessa Williams, Lizzie Clarke & Jazzmine Augustin Models: Hannah Slaouti and Brendon Dennis With thanks to: Emma Roebuck and the Nottingham Chameleons
who Name. Gender. Male or Female
you?
How do you identify.
(Room for your preferred gender/ non binary identity, or if that isn’t for you, draw a picture, scribble, rip up the zine, write nothing. But just do one thing, Fuck gender roles & read this zine. You might just learn something..... XYZ.
are
HIM SHE HIS HER HIMSELF HERSELF
ZE XE HIR XYR HIRSELF XEMSELF
NO. HE & SHE ARE NO LONGER THE ONLY PRONOUNS, AND ITS YOUR JOB TO LEARN AND USE THEM APPROPRIATELY.... Emma Roebuck is CEO of an LGBTQI organisation based in the North East of England and is also a member of the transgender community. Emma stressed the importance for the need for education and use of correct pronouns. ‘Deliberate and malicious use of misgendering and prejudiced behaviours by the general public has a massive impact on trans and non binary people and in itself the broader community.’ Lets face it, it’s pretty simple to learn these three pronouns or if you’re not sure ask the person you are speaking to. They would much rather be politely asked than misgendered and referred to.
For many people in the stage of transitioning, family members find it difficult to start using a new gender pronoun when they have been using one type for many years. No one can get it right all the time, but if we just make each other aware we can slowly make the various inclusive gender pronouns part of our everyday language. Lets be genderful and accepting. If this knowledge was more widely discussed Emma feels it ‘could change the landscape for trans people and the non binary subgroup immensely. So use your common sense, and be pronoun smart.
‘A LOUD RESOUNDING YES TO THE NEED FOR USE OF CORRECT PRONOUNS AND THE APPLICATION OF COMMON SENSE’.
Androgyny is the combination of masculine and feminine characteristics. Sexual ambiguity may be found in fashion, gender identity, sexual identity, or sexual lifestyle. It can also refer to biological intersex physicality, especially with regard to plant and human sexuality.
What Androgyny ISN’T and what people tend to often interpret it as is women dressing as men. Yes, androgynous looks are often extremely masculine HOWEVER, this is not the official intention. To be androgynous is to steer away from societies gender expectations and to visually present yourself as you wish. Not letting the influence of societies obligatory expectations to cloud your mind.
ANDROGYNY
SHANNON CLAGETT;
5’11” ANDROGYNOUS BEAUTY.
From the youngest of ages, we are now taught that progress and acceptance is what counts. Positive reinforcement is given every time we excel in a class or are rewarded with promotion. Though interestingly enough, an arched brow is raised and a disapproving mouth pursed when a girl steps out in a nonfigure flattering item of clothing.
SHANNON CLAGETTT, A 5’11” MODEL CELEBRATING HER OWN IDENTITY, DRESSING FOR HERSELF WHETHER THAT BE MASCULINE, FEMININE OR NEITHER.
MY IDENTITY IS MORE THAN WHAT’S INBETWEEN MY LEGS.
Transmasculine is a term used to describe transgender people who were assigned female at birth, but identify with masculinity to a greater extent than with femininity. Transmasculine can also be used as a gender identity in its own right. Although they have masculine gender identities, transmasculine people may prefer not to conform to stereotypical masculine gender expression or gender roles.
Transfeminine is a term used to describe transgender people who were assigned male at birth, but identify with femininity to a greater extent than with masculinity. Transfeminine can also be used as a gender identity in its own right. Although they have feminine gender identities, transfeminine people may prefer not to conform to stereotypical feminine gender expression or gender roles.
Transgender’ is an umbrella term that can potentially cover all people who transgress or transcend (go beyond the limits of) society’s rules and concepts of gender. People may be transgender due to their self expression, identity or personal history.” -as defined by ‘practical androgyny.’
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a ng at o r w I was al level and in nt fundame nary extremes bi a time of and female e of mal
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We had the pleasure of interviewing Emma Roebuck, CEO of charity GADD; an LGBTQ HIV/ AIDS organisation based in the North East of England. Emma has a National role and was the first Trans woman to be chair of a gay male’s charity, in addition to being the first trans woman to be CEO of an LGBT charity! Emma works at a governmental strategic level but also on a one to one personal basis with clients. We were eager for Emma to reveal more to us on experiences she has tackled throughout her work and personal life regarding gender and gender variation.
Could you give us a short overview of the relationship you have with gender throughout your life? What does gender mean to you and how has it affected your life? ‘I could sum it up in one word and that is conflict. Not in the patriarchal struggle that has defined feminism although my life and that has form a serious part of it!!! But the internal conflict of my life as someone assigned male at birth but knowing full well from any point of self awareness in my childhood that I was wrong at a fundamental level and in a time of binary extremes of male and female, I also knew I was never going to be’ right; I grew up with
white male privilege and all that entailed. Yet it was not and never will be me.’ ‘Gender and my life long battle against my internalised Transphobia have defined so much of my personality and life choices. From the car crash that is represented as both my marriages and attempts to wear the ill-fitting suit of maleness and heterosexuality to my gradual self acceptance and self empowerment to where I am now!’
EMMA ROEBUCK f
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Do you feel the general public need to be educated more about gender terminology and how to use gender appropriate p r o n o u n s / t i t l e s ? ‘A loud resounding yes to the need for education and use of correct pronouns and the application of common sense rather than irrational almost phobic response to difference in gender cues by cis people. Not only is it polite but it’s about allowing for self determination and respect of human dignity and rights. Deliberate and malicious use of misgendering and prejudiced behaviours by the general public has a massive impact on Trans and Non binary people in itself and they broader community. Of all the knowledge that needs passing to the general public this one this could change the landscape for trans people and the non binary subgroup immensely. Intersex individuals are also tarred with a similar brush and at the wrong end of the binary narrative. The barbarity of the medical practice of the last 50 years or more enacted upon Intersex people alone is a crime against humanity.’
Could you give us a summary of your job role as advocate for North East LGBT and what a work day for you consists of/ Have you seen any interesting developments in gender within your career? ‘My role is that of CEO for a charity called GADD an LGBTQI HIV/AIDS organisation based in the north east of England but with national roles. I was the first trans woman to be the Chair of a Gay man’s charity and the first trans woman to be the CEO of an LGBT charity. I work at a governmental strategic level and one to one with clients. We provide a safe space for all LGBTQI people and a service that supports the needs of its service users and to educate services to understand what it means to be LGBTQI or HIV+ primary issues vary but housing mental health hate crime benefits welfare rights and sexual health are at the top of the list.’
w E a r e
E Q U A L
GENDERBENDER: (SLANG: ONE WHO GENDERFUCKS OR BENDS GENDER) IS A PERSON WHO DISRUPTS, OR "BENDS", EXPECTED GENDER ROLES/. Offensive?? Nope. The term Gender Bender and Gender Fuck are names individuals are using to describe their gender identity. However it is how some people identify on a personal level, it is not yet regarded as a formal specific group in society although this sub group are slowly appearing on social media and appearing in the media from celebrities adoption of the gender identity. These individuals are people who enjoy life and do not limit themselves to female or male stereotypes, this including their appearance, jobs, mannerisms, the bathrooms they use and they change their gender from every day to month to year.
THERE ARE NO RULES./#*? But it’s not always necessarily all about disrupting, bending and sticking two fingers up to gender stereotypes. For some just like celeb Jaden Smith he simply feels women’s clothes and female traits are more fun and expressive. For some red carpets events he will appear in a suit others in a skirt; And why not. It’s seems more and more people are more concerned with being themselves and having fun, gender and sexuality don’t seem to matter as much anymore, and so it shouldn’t! This term has a similar meaning to ‘gender fluid’ which has been punned ‘The new buzz phrase of 2016’ by Teen Vogue. The group not only takes a fresh look on gender expectations but could also providing an opportunity for more gender bending retail, public services and new clothing trends. Could these gender benders be a new movement??/ We just can’t wait to see...
‘GEN Z IS LEADING THE WAVE OF ACCEPTANCE TOWARDS LOOSER GENDER RULES.’ WGSN 2015 What us Gen Z children learnt as kids about gender was pretty limited and was a very binary concept. It’s becoming more common knowledge that gender is not universal. Gender is ever changing and evolving and it’s becoming more excepted. than ever. However amongst all this inspiring, heart warming stuff there is still a lot of hate and prejudice out there.
A recent study in the UK found that 80% of the trans community admitted to consider suicide and half had attempted it. We need to unlearn what we learnt as kids and say no to the negative people that are bringing hate and upset to gender expressive individuals. We also think that the government, big brands and social media need to take note of the gender community and make changes accordingly.
so what are the big boys of the media doing about the gender deviants online??
TO BE A BREAK GENDER DE V THE M OULD IANT, IS TO AT THE A N CONCE SOCIALLY C D PLAY FUN ONSTR PT OF U G PRISO NER O ENDER. DO CTED N F ’ T T BE A HE GE BE WH N WHATE AT GENDER DER BINARY Y . VER D AY OF OU FEEL ON THE W EEK YO LIKE. U
Facebook has brought into looser gender rules by adding a mega 59 gender identity options unlike Insta and Twitter who still only give us the male or female option. Facebook users who don’t fit any of the 58 gender identity options offered are now being given a rather big 59th option: fill in the blank. We’re loving FB’s efforts. Colin Nash from MTV also stated ‘Gender neutral is kind of the new thing... trans almost feels like a couple of years behind for our audience’. Looser gender rules are coming, prepare to see it online, on screen, and EVERYWHERE!!!!
EMMA PULLS APART THE ‘GENDERFUL’ CELEBS OF THE 21ST CENTURY...
GENDER FLUID
‘Miley is the victim of a system and she is using limited tools to rail against the world she has been raised into. From her Disney twee hill billy in Hollywood to adult ‘pop’ star and it has affected her badly, or well depending on your world view. Growing up in public is a disaster in waiting and no one gets out alive...’ Emma Roebeck. Gender fluid is a revoultion which cannot be spoken about without a link to ‘queen Miley’. Miley’s gender identity became a sensation in the press after she stated in her interview with Paper magazine in June, “I don’t relate to being boy or girl, and I don’t have to have my partner relate to boy or girl.” It cannot be denied that Miley has given the gender fluid, non binary community a lot of press and helped many of the general public discover the meaning of these terms, however
the way she portrays the community is vulgar, outlandish and lets be honest, pretty stupid. Strap on’s, blow up penis’s and touching herself on stage... it dosen’t exactly reflect the trans, non binary community all that well. Be who you want to be yes, but is she contradicting the community she is trying to help and promote? We think so. ‘The nudity? The pasties? I’m using it as a power stance, it’s funny to see people try to look me in the eye.’ Miley, miley. PR stunts galore....
‘CAITYLN has been put out as
an ideal
for trans people to aspire
to and from my from my perspective as someone who has worked with Trans people for over 20 years she is nothing but a new born with a silver spoon. The debacle of making her woman of the year practically made me physically ill.’ Emma Roebuck
Caityln’s transition from world famous Olympian Bruce Jenner to Caityln Jenner has been a worldwide sensation this year. Her transition has created a hugggge media uproar with heavily conflicting views, some very positive earning her the cover of Vanity Fair and ‘Woman of the Year’ and others branding her the ‘most shameless of all the Kardashian clan.’OUCH! She has earnt the trans community a great deal of press and by such programmes as ‘I am Cait’ and her speeches and interviews all over the media, the trans community has been given a voice. But who’s voice is speaking, the rich, the famous and as Emma punned her a new born trans with a silver spoon. Trans is not all about glamour and extreme femininity as Cait portrays. In her ‘Woman of the year’ speech when asked what the most difficult part of being a woman was, Cait answered ‘deciding what to wear’. This infuriated many, especially when previous winners of this award have included police hero’s of 9/11, activists and campaigners. Cait’s depiction of a trans woman in the media is heavily garnished and enhanced by immense personal fortune and a high public profile. It has been argued that she adds very little normal and relatable experiences to her viewers and attracts more fans of the Kardashians than actual trans and gender expressive people.
Cait presents the critical question of if the celebrities who are ‘fighting’ for the gender cause and doing good and if they are will it last?? When Cait’s show ends and the press moves on to someone new will she have affected the gender community for the better. Will she change laws, educate the nation or will the publicity and ‘genderful’ trend end all to soon and then what will happen to the Trans and gender community. A real day in the life of a trans woman is not worrying about what to wear, but facing hate and feeling like an outcast in society.
ruby rose
‘Ruby Rose represents the ‘GENDER-QUEER’
non-binary aspect that is gaining prevalence in some areas. It cheers my soul but it is a shame that there is still the OBSESSION with attractiveness of the individual that makes the news and NOT the mind or politics of the subject.’ Emma Roebuck
Ruby Rose’s music video ‘Break Free’ was a initially inspiring short film illustrating the struggle many face of finding themselves and being comfortable with their gender. The video begins with Ruby Rose as a very stereotypical young woman with long curly hair and makeup. The video then switches as she decides to ‘break free’ cutting her hair and wiping the makeup away. In the duration of the video Ruby evolves from female to male, subverting stereotypes and proving you can be whoever the hell you want to be. However, the video is very sexualised and the focus on attractiveness and being of a sexual nature is difficult to ignore. ‘I find it amusing the sexualisation of such imagery and public story of such people. Nothing is actually new and this ideological attitude to gender is almost a response to the pressure to conform to a binary cisnormative view of gender. It is a LOUD NO to the pressure you will either be male or female and nothing between. It cheers my soul but it is a shame that there is still the obsession with attractiveness of the individual that makes the news not the mind or the politics.’Emma Roebuck In recent interviews where Ruby Rose has been questioned about her genderqueer identity she has explained how she doesn’t see herself as one gender and likes to experiment. With this in mind it is a shame to see that as her career has grown and she is in the public eye more regularly her ‘experimental’ representation of her gender is slowly less noticeable and quickly she is being portrayed in a sexualised, stereotypical ideological representation. Does this show that although the media seem to be promoting the gender movement, it still instils pressure on celebs and the public to fit into the norms and stereotype.
did you learn something ??? good.
xyz