Update: identifying as non-binary for work award

[Somerville1234]

Can't find the old thread... but anyway, there's an award/opportunity at work, only for people who are LGBT+++. I don't remember all the categories but they included genderqueer, genderfluid and genderfree. Also K, which I'm reliably informed stands for kink lifestyle. I don't understand why someone would need a special thing at work for getting off on weeing and whips (?? I don't watch porn, I don't have a clue), but maybe I'm just old fashioned. Anyway, old fashioned or not, I'm gender free because I don't believe in gender. And I wanted the professional opportunity. (Forgive me for the vagueness - being careful because of doxxing.) And you lot were encouraging...

I ended up applying - which didn't involve saying how I met the criteria, just ticking that I did. And then I was perpexedly approached by my woke boss.
(WB "Erm... so you realise that this is for LGBT+++ employees, Somer?"
S "Yes."
WB "Erm...it was my understanding you're a straight woman...?"
S "I'm genderfree and-"
WB: "Really?"
S "Yes, and I think I need to remind you that the staff handbook recommends that no-one should assume anybody elses's gender."
WB: "Oh, terribly sorry about that.")

I then had a lovely meeting with HR where they were very keen to update my pronouns on the system. I told them that being gender free I require the box beside gender to be left empty, but that I can accept female pronouns because that's my biological sex. They were happy with this novel idea and to learn more about the difference between sex and gender. They young HR person didn't know they're not synonyms but he learns something new every day apparently.

And now... I've heard I'm shortlisted for the next round!
It's been announced to the whole company, and I've had a few bemused looks but no direct transphobia, I'm happy to report.
My longsuffering DH (works in same field) has been teased a bit for my gender identity but he's happy to suffer for the sake of my fight for equality.

You do realise if we set up a genderfree support group and demand Mordaunt meets to hear our many concerns, we could put all the MN questions again and this time get flooded with answers and validation?

OMG! Meaningful Webchat 2!

Penny! Come back! We've found the Universal Translator and can now converse in terms you understand!

Just 'banter', no doubt.

It may not be the case that behind every great genderfree woman there's a good man, but it's nice to know you've got one.

A small step for an employee but a giant leap forward for gender-free humanoids

They’re all just jealous, judgmental bigots, Somerville. Tell him not to worry and to point out to those horrible transphobes that he can just become his true self, a gender free lesbian with kinks and your marriage will be stronger than ever.

I love you- stunning and brave!

They advise that if you are even asking the question whether you are on the trans or non-Binary spectrum, it generally means you are.

I read that gender dysphoria can be split into:

body gender dysphoria - what most people think of when they think of gender dysphoria a feeling of unease or unhappiness about the sexed body

and

social gender dysphoria - not being comfortable with the social aspects of the gender assigned to you at birth

You can apparently have either or both. Seems to me that all feminists, by definition, have social gender dysphoria.

OP, it's so unsurprising that in the real world all this relentless outing of personal lives via these promotions simply lead to unpleasant gossiping and speculation. Counter productive stuff.

My favourite thread of the week (and there's plenty of choice).
A gender free support group. We can have badges and meetings and fundraisers - and everyone will listen to us cos we'll all be stunning and brave Sighs with happiness......

This is fantastic. Loving your work OP.

I was so fucked off after reading the Caroline Farrow thread. Thinking what are we up against?

This! Women doing shit like this! You. Are. Awesome

Thankyou Dr Jellyfrizz
You identify as a doctor, therefore you are allowed to give advice about gender.

I now know as a feminist I definitely have social gender dysphoria therefore I am Gender Free.
Do you charge for this?

OP, I applaud you!

Dammit AnyOldPrion. I can’t get that tune out if my head now! 🎶

Sorry about that S1naidSucks. I’m afraid this is a result of the oppressiveness of ciswombling genderfree. It’s not easy.

Just brilliant :)

Fabulous. Good luck!

Loving your work!
There may be something to this. I'm up for a Genderfree support thread on here.

ever so sorry to hear you've lost your gender, OP! :)

- Errol and all. I'm in another timezone for a few days so I'll have some later.

(I have a message from DH going "Should I be aghast or proud to suddenly see Graham Linehan tweet a thread where my genderfree wife is talking about whips and weeing???" Oops!)

I'm not regular enough on MN these days to start a genderfree support chat - feel free to start one, someone. Send me a link if I miss it.

So interested to see how this pans out. Well done you!

(I have a message from DH going "Should I be aghast or proud to suddenly see Graham Linehan tweet a thread where my genderfree wife is talking about whips and weeing???" Oops!)

Oh my! That’s hilarious. 🤣

Mr Lovely is as funny as ever

As someone who would fit the K category, I think what you are doing, in pointing out the bollocks of gender self-ID, is hilarious.

I don't think that it is really appropriate to take the piss out of people who are into kink.

Noone would dare mock people for any of the other categories relating to sexual preference, so not quite sure why mocking kink is ok?

Sorry to sound like a downer about it, but it isnt nice, and maybe the mocking is an example of exactly why the K was included in the first place? Because if anyone in the workplace ever finds out, this constant stream of mocking and false assumptions is what happens?

Yes, what happens in bed should be totally unrelated to work. But in the same way that bumping into your boss in Tesco, when you are holding hands with your same sex partner, can out you as gay, bumping into your boss at a kink night (happened to someone I know), can make life at work very awkward afterwards.

The person I know was "encouraged to leave" their job, as the boss was shit scared of his own kink becoming known about at work. He didn't fancy the mocking. My friend was pretty much forced out.

Sorry to put a downer on a very fair point that Somerville is making. But please don't mock. This stuff costs people their livelihood.

OP how absolutely brilliant. I do hope you win.

So the boss who was into kink, forced out the employee who was into the same stuff. It sounds like both have issues.

I love the fact that some are changing their twitter to acknowledge that they are genderfree. 🤣