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Original poster

Is it possible to be feminine and gender critical at the same time?

84 replies

RussellSprout · 28/04/2019 21:44

I have recently become, due to peak trans and just general awareness of all the trans bollocks, fairly gender critical in that I think we're all just people who happen to have male or female chromosomes/genitals and why does everyone have to define themselves as a man or a woman when its very easy to tell what you are, just look between your legs... ie biology defines this.
So you could say I'm gender critical/agender/don't believe in the concept of gender and gender stereotypes in society.

However, as an individual I'm quite a feminine woman. I like dresses, heels, makeup. I work in a female dominated profession. I'll happily let my husband do the DIY around the house cos I have no interest in it. I'm comfortable with being perceived as being a woman by others.

Sometimes I'm not sure if this is at odds with my new gender critical status. Is it right that I conform to female stereotypes myself whilst being aware of the rights of others not to have to do so?

I'm happily feminine and don't feel the need to resist feminine stereotypes personally, nor do so for my daughter (I'll let her play with whatever toys she wants/dress how she wants.... won't stop her from playing with princesses and pink, but won't discourage her from boys toys/colours either. She usually goes for the pink stuff) . But does that make me hypocritical?

OP posts:
Voice0fReason · 28/04/2019 22:59

The point is it's your biology that makes you a woman, not your dress and heels.
It's entirely up to you what you wear and how you choose to express yourself. It doesn't define anything about you. It's just the clothes you like. I love feminine stuff sometimes, other times I can't be doing with any of it. I'm still gender critical and still a woman.

ItsAllGone19 · 28/04/2019 22:56

I'm not gender critical because I want all women to have sensible haircuts and wear androgynous clothes.

I'm gender critical because I refuse to accept stereotypes imposed on others because of societal pressures.

If you want to be feminine in floaty dresses with flower garlands in your hair, crack on. If you'd rather have less fussy hair and wear practical clothing fill your boots. Neither validates or undermines being a woman and as a woman you don't have to stick with one of those.

My daughter flits between mud smeared footballer and delicate sparkly bedecked princess as she sees fit. Both are her, neither defines her. I'm really happy she has the confidence to rock this whilst all the wokedom carries on around her.

Original poster
RussellSprout · 28/04/2019 22:46

I guess so. I don't believe in gender identity. Just male or female and do what you want.

OP posts:
KataraJean · 28/04/2019 22:41

Isn’t the point about being gender critical that you do not believe you have an innate gender identity which makes you choose to dress or act how you do, but see it as social conditioning and choice which could easily be different without changing your sex?

In other words, you would still be female if you wore overalls and loved DIY and did not wear any make-up and you would still be perceived as a woman by others. Being gender critical does not mean you have to discard everything conventionally seen as feminine.

I am no less female on the days I am digging my garden than on the days I wear a dress and heels to go to work.

JellySlice · 28/04/2019 22:05

There's nothing wrong with stereotypes unless they are imposed upon others.

Stereotypes are like opinions.

Herland · 28/04/2019 21:55

Being gender critical simply means that the markers of gender are socially constructed and it is biological markers that defines sex. Therefore I can have long hair, wear lipstick, whilst playing football, before heading for a pint in my jeans and trainers.... So can my husband. But we are very much different sexes.

Barracker · 28/04/2019 21:49

Yes, it's possible, and yes, it's fine.

littlbrowndog · 28/04/2019 21:49

I never think about that stuff. Wear what I want do,what I want

Kids play with whatever.

Still don’t believe people can change sex

BeUpStanding · 28/04/2019 21:47

No it doesn't make you hypocritical. HTH.