Deconstructing the
gender binary
AP Prescott, MA
Case Manager/Interim Wilkins Hall Coordinator
University Housing Services
Illinois State University
pronouns: they/them
Our plan for today:
• Definitions
• Gender binary
• Names and pronouns
• How it all impacts ISU
Things to keep in mind:
• Ask a question whenever you feel inclined
• I am passionate but do not have all of the answers
• I/you/we may get frustrated
• Learning is often uncomfortable
• The takeaways are partially up to you
Definitions, part 1:
• Sex: Biological characteristics (organs,
chromosomes, hormones, etc.)
• Sexual Orientation: Romantic and/or sexual patterns
of attraction or non-attraction
Lesbian
Autosexual
Gay
Androsexual
Bisexual
Gynesexual
Pansexual
Skoliosexual
Queer
Same Gender Loving
Asexual
Demisexual
Straight
Objectumsexual
Definitions, part 2:
• Gender: A projection of cultural indicators resulting in a system
of being
- Does it exist?
- Is it universal?
• Gender Identity: Recognition and actualization of one’s gender
or absence of gender. An understanding of self.
- CANNOT be observed
- NOT always static
• Gender Expression: Personal implementation of gender identity
- How individuals CONVEY something about their gender
- What others INTERPRET as conveying something about gender
Definitions, part 3:
“People who possess a gender
identity or perform a gender role
society considers appropriate for
one’s sex”
(Gregoire and Jungers (2007, p. 61)
Cisgender
Transgender
Definitions, part 4:
adjective
• Transgender:
noun:
she’s a
transgender
PT verb:
he’s
transgendered
• An umbrella term for a large and diverse community
• Can sometimes refer to a section of the community who have/may/will
transition in some way (socially, legally, and/or medically)
• Trans*
Transgender
“Anyone whose GE or GI differs from
what is expected of them in their culture
based on their sex assigned at birth”
(Shlasko, 2014, p. 29)
Transsexual
Transgender
Genderqueer
Etc.
Definitions, part 5:
TRANS*
• Transsexual: a person whose gender identity is different from biological sex who
often (but not always) change their bodies to align with their GI.
• Cross dresser (transvestite): a person who dresses as the binary opposite
gender expression for any one of many reasons, including relaxation, fun, and
sexual gratification,
• Genderqueer (non-binary): a blanket term used to describe people whose
gender falls outside of the gender binary
• Agender/genderless:
• Bigender:
• Androgynous:
Definitions, part 6:
TRANS* CONTINUED
• Gender performers
• Drag queens
• Drag kings
• Masculine “cisgender” women
• Feminine “cisgender” men
• Transman (FTM)
• Transwoman (MTF)
Feminine
(for women)
artificial division
The gender binary
Masculine
(for men)
8 participants, please!
Alfred Kinsey (1948)
The gender spectrum is FB official
Agender
Androgyne
Androgynous
Bigender
Cis
Cisgender
Cis Female
Cis Male
Cis Man
Cis Woman
Cisgender Female
Cisgender Male
Cisgender Man
Cisgender Woman
Female to Male
FTM
Gender Fluid
Gender
Nonconforming
Gender Questioning
Gender Variant
Genderqueer
Intersex
Male to Female
MTF
Neither
Neutrois
Non-binary
Other
Pangender
Trans
Trans*
Trans Female
Trans* Female
Trans Male
Trans* Male
Trans Man
Trans* Man
Trans Person
Trans* Person
Trans Woman
Trans* Woman
Transfeminine
Transgender
Transgender Female
Transgender Male
Transgender Man
Transgender Person
Transgender Woman
Transmasculine
Transsexual
Transsexual Female
Transsexual Male
Transsexual Man
Transsexual Person
Transsexual Woman
Two-Spirit
How we (society) reinforce binarism
These are just a few simple examples. Where do you
see the binary promoted in your daily lives?
Toys
Beauty products
Health products
Clothing
Food/drink
Sports
Advertising
Restrooms
Language
Media/news
Popular culture
Language
Why is language so important?
Structural, systematic, and often unintentional
promotion of the gender binary.
Binary language examples:
He/she:
they
Man/woman:
person
Alumni/alumna: alum
Grandma/pa:
grandparent
Boy/girl:
child
Goddess/god:
deity
Ladies/gentlemen: folks, etc.
Daughter/son:
child
Waiter/waitress: server, etc.
King/queen:
royalty
Husband/wife:
spouse/partner
Mrs./Mr.:
Mx.
Neice/Nephew
Niblet
Actor/actress:
actor?
Sir/Madam:
?
Aunt/uncle:
?
Understanding the binary
How was it created?
Why does it continue to exist?
Is it a problem?
More about pronouns
First of all, I like to avoid saying my "preferred gender
pronouns" are _____. It is not a preference. They just
are. That's like asking what someone's "preferred
dietary needs" are when they're allergic to peanuts. You
don't get to decide whether or not you feed them
peanuts. They tell you that's what they need, so you do
it. So, they are not preferred gender pronouns, they are
gender pronouns.- Steph Parrish (UC-Boulder)
Names and why they matter
Types of names:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Birth name
Legal name
(Preferred) names
Nicknames
First/middle/last names
Family names
Religious names
“Maiden” and “married” names
Names are important.
For cigender people AND for trans* people!
Let’s practice names and pronouns
Name: Andrew
Pronouns: he/him/his
Name: Andrew
Pronouns: they/them/theirs
Name: Andrew
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Working with names and pronouns
Think about how it would feel if someone used
an incorrect pronoun or name for you.
Would it make you uncomfortable?
Would you question why the other person was using
the incorrect pronouns?
Would you feel comfortable correcting the other
person?
Would you hope those close to you would correct the
other person?
Working with names and pronouns
Practice introductions with a partner
When things go poorly ...
What do you do if:
• You use the incorrect pronouns for someone
• You hear someone else you incorrect pronouns
Does it matter if that person is in the room?
Pronoun tips and tricks:
• Always ask/share
• Keep moving and make necessary adjustments
• Use non-gendered pronouns for new acquaintances
• Understand that pronouns can change
• Use a NAME instead of a pronoun!
• Think about the environment (and safety)
• Utilize email signature and business cards
• Get rid of other gendered greetings:
• Sir/guy/dude/chick/ladies/bros/boys/girls/etc.
Binary concerns at ISU
•
Housing placements based on sex, not gender
•
Forms
•
Sports
•
What are
we doing well?
Programmatic
efforts
•
Staffing/quotas
•
Risk management/alcohol
•
Binary spaces (restrooms/locker rooms, etc.)
•
(mis)Serving Trans* people
•
Pronoun/name bandwagon
•
Signage
not so well?
What will YOU do?
How are you going to be more
Trans* inclusive in your daily work?
Situational analysis
A student comes to you (as the RHC/advisor/etc.) and
complains that no one at ISU is using their correct
pronouns – especially people on the female designated
floor that they live on. Allie uses they/them pronouns.
They also indicate that their RA and a few professors
have not been supportive.
What do you do?
Situational analysis
An incoming first year student who is beginning the
gender confirmation process calls your office and asks
what accommodations we have for Trans* students.
How do you respond?
Moving toward inclusion
ACKNOWLEDGE your role (individual and org)
EVALUATE your sphere of influence
QUESTION what is happening
INITIATE positive change
EDUCATE
Moving toward inclusion
•
Language
•
Physical spaces
•
Programming
•
Traditions/customs
•
Assumptions
•
Policies/procedures
•
Forms
•
Assist with gender confirmation
•
Training and professional development
•
Educate gendered orgs
•
TDoR (November 20)