Anonymous asked: Vocab question. If Genderqueer (or Gender/Sex diverse) means the idea that gender and sex are on a continuum or spectrum and are diverse instead of being binary, is there a word for the idea that gender, sex AND sexuality are all non-binary? Or is it just Gender/Sex/Sexuality diverse?

[Disclaimer: I don’t identify as genderqueer, so please feel free to correct me and send me your own ideas about what genderqueer means to ya’ll.]

Usually, ‘genderqueer’ is used as a term that describes a person’s gender identity or something relating to a person’s identity. A person who identifies as genderqueer would most likely describe their gender identity as being non-binary, non-heteronormative or gender-variant. A genderqueer person may feel neither (or both) ‘female’ (n)or ‘male’, and may also identify as trans*, two-spirit, gender-fluid, pan-gender, agender (or other). A genderqueer person may present as androgynous, masculine/butch, feminine/femme, both, all, other, or a combination of these.

Since gender identity is more fluidly defined by a genderqueer person, they might use gender neutral pronouns (e.g. ze, they, hir) and/or gendered (e.g. he, she) pronouns when referring to themselves. 

I think that the word that you’re looking for (to describe the fluidity of gender/sex/sexuality, right?) is probably ‘non-binary’.

Followers, I’ll leave this up to you. What do you think?

-k

Anonymous asked: i'm sorry this is just me but for someone who doesn't follow all of the non-gender terms this blog is super confusing. i think there is a point to where you/your followers are getting too nit-picky. like the boobs ask you just got. and i've seen others also. people are wayyyyy too sensitive.

Okay, maybe I’ll just type one-handed…ouchie…

Yes, being nit-picky about language can be confusing and annoying, especially for someone who’s unfamiliar with such terms.

However, we’ve made it clear that this blog is meant to be a safe space for everyone of all genders, orientations, gender expressions and gender identities. In order to do that, we have to use language that acknowledges and respects and validates people of non-heteronormative genders/gender expressions. (We’re trying to be more like Sweden, maybe.)

You see, it’s more than playing nice or trying not to offend people or covering our asses or (groan) being PC.

It’s a chance for us, in our own small way, to dismantle a system of oppression that hurts people for being true to themselves and for refusing to stuff themselves into someone else’s narrow heteronormative/cissexist/anti-queer definition of what is ‘acceptable’ when it comes to figuring out gender and sexuality.

Please excuse our mess as we blunder through gender-neutral pronoun usage and the like. (…and grammar. I should sleep, maybe.) This is something that we’re constantly working on, and we won’t be compromising about this as long we’re running IJP.

If we’re wrong, keep correcting us and pointing us in the right direction if you want—or don’t if you don’t want to. You’re certainly not obligated to educate us admins if we’re not doing our jobs correctly.

(Please don’t yell at us, though…we have feelings?)

Here’s a super-short guide to some of the gender-neutral pronouns that you might see on this site [links to PDF]. (I’m considering adding this to the Resources page…what do you think?)


stay fresh, peeps.


(ya, I’ve always wanted to post that.)


~ k

I’m about to start working on a queer health article for a super-duper awesome lovely queer website called Autostraddle. If you have any tips, tricks or resources that might help me out while writing my article, please send them my way!

In the meantime, stay tuned for my friend’s interview in Autostraddle. They created and currently co-moderate the Transgender Housing Network, a temporary housing resource for trans*, queer and gender non-conforming folks in need of safe places to stay. It’s a cool resource that’s worth a look and a follow—so check it out and spread the word!

In the meantime, keep those questions and submissions coming! Wheeeee!

-k 

We’re guilty of constantly telling our American followers to hit up Planned Parenthood to help them locate a low-cost clinic near them, but that’s gotta be a little bit inconvenient for, like, everyone who isn’t American, right?

K is from California and M is from Virginia, but we’d really appreciate submissions of locations from around the world so we can make a more comprehensive list for you all! Help us out by sending us your submissions. We’ll keep a running tab of things on our ‘Sites We Like’ page.

Please be as detailed as possible in your submissions. We’d really appreciate details about how the facility is run, how patients can pay for services (sliding-scale? completely free?), whether or not you need insurance, the locations of facilities, any websites, if it’s a mobile clinic or a permanent facility, outstanding healthcare workers you’ve seen, etc.

Thank you all for your help. We’re really excited about this!

-K 
 
P.S. We’re also interested in finding people who are willing to translate/proofread articles and posts into other languages. Contact us if you’re interested!