Gender and Sexuality, Part 3

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

THOUGHTS ON BEING TRANSGENDER

PART 3

GENDER, SEXUALITY AND THE FUTURE


Part one of this series addressed some of the misnomers often created when we conflate gender and sexuality. Part two addressed the etiology of the misunderstanding. Part three will focus on what may lie ahead for us if we can move past a solely binary way of perception.

Imagine a world in which society is not fixated on the pejorative aspect of what make us different. Again…imagine a world wherein those things which establish commonality and which bind us together, are those that demand our focus. In this new world, an openness to diversity will create a new model…one that embraces multiplicity yet is still capable of critical thinking. Variant modes of gender presentation and sexual preference will not only not be confused, one with the other, but will present a myriad of new possibilities. Of course, we must always bear in mind that engaging in any activity which is harmful to another is not to be tolerated. We certainly do not want to lend any credence to the Santorum postulate that sexual and gender diversity is just an open door to child predation, or to bestiality. We must keep a sense of perspective.

There are many advantages to a world that embraces diversity, not the least of which is a reduced sense of fear, hatred and violence. Tolerance, empathy and understanding are not only healthier emotional expressions but are the foundation of any real sense of “civilization”. By discrediting a solely binary model of knowledge theory, we can hope to see a palpable reduction in the antagonism that leads to parochialism and isolation. By contrast, we may look towards a kind of society in which cultural bridges are built and groups of people work together to achieve common goals.

I have been called an idealist and a dreamer. Some may call me naïve. There may be some accuracy to each of these descriptions. Nevertheless, I feel that we are at a kind of crossroads. Yes…there have been many eras that historically have been called crossroads. What makes today different is that the world is figuratively smaller. Some action in one part of the world may have effects in many other places. There are actions that are so pervasive that they affect all parts of the world. We are approaching times that will demand the making of wise decisions…decisions that will affect an entire world. Do we allow bigotry, separatism and divisiveness to claim the day? Do we enliven the dogmas of marginality and disenfranchisement? Do we choose to live with the fear that breeds misunderstanding and communication breakdown, leading to hatred and the inevitable violence that ensues? Or do we work for tolerance, understanding and inclusiveness? Do we embrace those who work for peace and coexistence?

Societies often learn their lessons from minorities. Teaching a culture to accept those within who express diversity is a move toward greater understanding. Our culture is still learning these hard lessons. Yet, today’s world shows us that we are, perhaps, backsliding. We are becoming more judgmental, less accepting, and it has become evident that the entire world needs to take a step back and look at the direction in which it is going. Religious and cultural intolerance and genocide, factionalism and antipathy…these appear to be winning the day.

We, as members of a community that espouses diversity, have a place in this world to pass a sense of this diversity on to others. We shall refrain from cringing behind walls. We shall proclaim our unique and inviolable right to present a gender that reflects the person inside. We revel in the right to express our sexuality any way we choose, so long as we refrain from intentionally inflicting harm and from blatant recklessness regarding children. We are the bridge builders, the conflict menders and we can have a great effect in the fight against intolerance by expressing a sense of pride in who we are, not solely as members of the LGBTI community, but as members of a world family. Let us avail ourselves of the power our community really has and help society at large to embrace many of our ideals.

Imagine a world…