Project Queer

gender-queer:

[Poster with red TRANARCHY, the A an anarchy symbol, stamped across the top. A stick figure person in black is in the center. The stick person is split in two, the left side with no hair, a frilly dress shirt, and long pants; the right side with curled up hair, a dress shirt and tie, a floofy skirt, and ankle bracelets. There is text around the edges]
Text:
WHAT IS TRANSGENDER?
Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identification deviates from the traditional binary gender system (a system in which biological men and biological women act or appear as society expects). Many trans people recognize the limitations of a two gender system where gender & gender roles are said to be biologically determined & based on genitalia alone.
We rebel against this socially enforced institutionalized gender system by creating our own definitions of what is meant to be man, woman, or something else entirely.
TRANSPEOPLE come in many different varieties and they have very individualized identifications. Some transpeople may take hormanes or make other physical modifications to “transition” into a more comfortable body, while others may change their name and or pronouns, use both male and female pronouns, go by ze and hir, or simply identify as trans without changing a damn thing.
Transgender is not a code word for gay, lesbian, or queer. Gender identification and sexual orientation are not the same! Transpeople’s sexualities are as diverse as the rest of the world.
THINGS WE CAN DO TO BE TRANS-POSITIVE ALLIES
ASK respectful questions - How do you identify?BEGIN to look at and break down gender in your own life beyond male and female norms.QUESTION the assumption of what is natural and who it benefits. THINK about everyday things you do that may be an uncomfortable situation for a trans person.USING a public bathroom…..?- Think about PRIVILEGE. HAVE open discussions with people about gender, but remember - Speak from your own experience!RECOGNIZE and take on trans[bigotry] in yourself and in the the gay lesbian and queer communities.BE sure to always use preferred names and pronouns and if you mess up, [accept] full responsibility without making excuses!
HOW TO CREATE TRANS-POSITIVE SPACES
MAKE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR AND ABOUT TRANS PEOPLE.DON’T assume that your space being queer, womens, radical, anarchist, etc. are trans inclusive.INVITE Trans speakers, performers, artists etc. to your space to be a regular part of community activities -BUT- DON’T TOKENIZE OR PUT THE BURDEN ON THEM TO EDUCATE AND INFORM YOU.TAKE the initiative to becoem educated and to educate, don’t wait for it to become an issue.CONSIDER how how intersecting opressions, including racism, sexism, classism, [queer bigotry], and ableism can affect gender and sexuality issues.
AS RADICAL PEOPLE, BREAKING DOWN GENDER SHOULD BE A PART OF OUR REVOLUTION.
For more info:My Gender Workbook or Gender Outlaw - both by Kate BornsteinRead My Lips - by Rikki Anne WelchinsThe Last Time I Wore a Dress - by Daphne ScholinskiTransgender Warriors or Transliberation - both by Leslie FeinburgBody Alchemy - by Loren Cameronor various zines selfpublished and websites!

[Poster with red TRANARCHY, the A an anarchy symbol, stamped across the top. A stick figure person in black is in the center. The stick person is split in two, the left side with no hair, a frilly dress shirt, and long pants; the right side with curled up hair, a dress shirt and tie, a floofy skirt, and ankle bracelets. There is text around the edges]

Text:

WHAT IS TRANSGENDER?

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identification deviates from the traditional binary gender system (a system in which biological men and biological women act or appear as society expects). Many trans people recognize the limitations of a two gender system where gender & gender roles are said to be biologically determined & based on genitalia alone.

We rebel against this socially enforced institutionalized gender system by creating our own definitions of what is meant to be man, woman, or something else entirely.

TRANSPEOPLE come in many different varieties and they have very individualized identifications. Some transpeople may take hormanes or make other physical modifications to “transition” into a more comfortable body, while others may change their name and or pronouns, use both male and female pronouns, go by ze and hir, or simply identify as trans without changing a damn thing.

Transgender is not a code word for gay, lesbian, or queer. Gender identification and sexual orientation are not the same! Transpeople’s sexualities are as diverse as the rest of the world.

THINGS WE CAN DO TO BE TRANS-POSITIVE ALLIES

ASK respectful questions - How do you identify?
BEGIN to look at and break down gender in your own life beyond male and female norms.
QUESTION the assumption of what is natural and who it benefits.
THINK about everyday things you do that may be an uncomfortable situation for a trans person.
USING a public bathroom…..?
- Think about PRIVILEGE.
HAVE open discussions with people about gender, but remember - Speak from your own experience!
RECOGNIZE and take on trans[bigotry] in yourself and in the the gay lesbian and queer communities.
BE sure to always use preferred names and pronouns and if you mess up, [accept] full responsibility without making excuses!

HOW TO CREATE TRANS-POSITIVE SPACES

MAKE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR AND ABOUT TRANS PEOPLE.
DON’T assume that your space being queer, womens, radical, anarchist, etc. are trans inclusive.
INVITE Trans speakers, performers, artists etc. to your space to be a regular part of community activities -BUT- DON’T TOKENIZE OR PUT THE BURDEN ON THEM TO EDUCATE AND INFORM YOU.
TAKE the initiative to becoem educated and to educate, don’t wait for it to become an issue.
CONSIDER how how intersecting opressions, including racism, sexism, classism, [queer bigotry], and ableism can affect gender and sexuality issues.

AS RADICAL PEOPLE, BREAKING DOWN GENDER SHOULD BE A PART OF OUR REVOLUTION.

For more info:
My Gender Workbook or Gender Outlaw - both by Kate Bornstein
Read My Lips - by Rikki Anne Welchins
The Last Time I Wore a Dress - by Daphne Scholinski
Transgender Warriors or Transliberation - both by Leslie Feinburg
Body Alchemy - by Loren Cameron
or various zines selfpublished and websites!