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A theory: non-cis folk understand the phenomenology of gender. What does a thing *feel* like, what does it *mean*?
This is why trans people can be like: "My gender is a snake riding a motorcycle" and the cis are like "Wut." We're talking about the meaning, not the thing itself.
This is why trans people can be like: "My gender is a snake riding a motorcycle" and the cis are like "Wut." We're talking about the meaning, not the thing itself.
We don't have good words for gender discussion in English, so we cannot rely on existing definitions or even existing patterns of thinking when talking about it.
So we fall back on phenomenology and rely on shared value-based perceptions of things to describe the undescribable.
So we fall back on phenomenology and rely on shared value-based perceptions of things to describe the undescribable.
Not understanding this cultural and linguistic difference can cause cis people to think we are being childish or confused.
This is also why they think "attack helicopter" jokes are funny and we roll our eyes. It's a joke based on a translation error. They don't get that.
This is also why they think "attack helicopter" jokes are funny and we roll our eyes. It's a joke based on a translation error. They don't get that.
My point: trans people (especially the online community) is actively creating a new kind of language. A queer sense of gender absolutely demands it.
So next time a trans person says "Thing X is my gender" and you don't understand it, it's because you don't speak the language.
So next time a trans person says "Thing X is my gender" and you don't understand it, it's because you don't speak the language.
Why do trans people develop this understanding of gender phenomenology? I'd suggest it's a kind of survival mechanism.
Determining the meaning and value of a thing (both culturally and individually) is a key to minimizing dysphoria and maximizing euphoria.
Determining the meaning and value of a thing (both culturally and individually) is a key to minimizing dysphoria and maximizing euphoria.
Think about Gillete razors. Functionally there is very little (if any) difference between the "boy" razors and the "girl" razors. They are not *actually* different genders.
But the packaging and marketing rely on phenomenoloy to convey which one is for which type of person.
But the packaging and marketing rely on phenomenoloy to convey which one is for which type of person.
Once you realize you live in a strict and immovable binary gendered world, you realize *most things* are like this, just not as explicitly.
When you use everyday items in order to phenomenologically transmit your gender, that can be called "coding."
When you use everyday items in order to phenomenologically transmit your gender, that can be called "coding."
Everyone codes to an extent, everyone uses the phenomenology of gender. But for a trans person, that coding can make the difference between a really good day and a really bad day. Dysphoria vs euphoria.
So we pay attention. We learn to be keenly aware of it.
So we pay attention. We learn to be keenly aware of it.
So this shared need to understand the phenomonology of gender in order to code correctly, signal others, and understand ourselves results in... language that takes that phenomonology as a given.
Of course we know what "snake on a motorcycle" means.
Of course we know what "snake on a motorcycle" means.
I'm not saying that understanding this language is a necessary component of being trans, or that all types of trans people will inherently understand this kind of communication.
BUT I think it's worth mentioning so we can better understand & explain ourselves.
BUT I think it's worth mentioning so we can better understand & explain ourselves.
What does this look like in action?
You: "I identify as an attack helicopter."
Me: "That person might see themselves as intimidating, aloof, perhaps coded more masc, even asexual due to the lack of cultural sexualization of helicopters."
Or something.
You: "I identify as an attack helicopter."
Me: "That person might see themselves as intimidating, aloof, perhaps coded more masc, even asexual due to the lack of cultural sexualization of helicopters."
Or something.
For me right now? My gender is a hoodie under a jean jacket on a cloudy morning, smelling vaguely of cigarette smoke and ozone.
That feeling you get imagining that combination of things? Yeah, that's what it feels like to be me right now.
That feeling you get imagining that combination of things? Yeah, that's what it feels like to be me right now.
