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.

No, it isn’t,

I think if all gender critical people rightfully claim the label of agender/genderfree and therefore trans, this could actually be a way of ridding the world of sex stereotypes as we’d all be rejecting the notion of gender (whilst having the money and power of the translobby behind us)

It's not even a joke though. I actually do identify as gender free. My biological sex is woman, but who the fuck knows what my gender is.

I'm definitely not cis, because that would mean my biological sex is woman and my gender is defined by a list of stereotypes made up by the trans community.

I’m sure the brave and stunning folk that decided to include genderfree under the stonewall umbrella is feeling very pleased with themselves right now. It’s so kind and inclusive of them to be allies to us genderfree females.

Thank you Stonewall, for your support. 💐

Well no, it isn't a joke. Rejecting and destroying Gender was one of the first feminist ideas I full grasped.

The fact that wokesters think their Gender obsession is the first time anyone has questioned Gender is testament to their myopic arrogance. The fact that they can only see #genderfree as a bunch of women taking the piss is testament to their inherent misogyny.

Me too
#imgenderfree
#alsoabiologicalwoman

For the numptys out there who will not get this, can anyone please help me to explain it in very simple terms?

I am a bio woman - xx chromosome, vagina, uterus, ability to gestate and lactate

I am genderfree - reject all stereotypes and will wear/play/like what I want regardless of what it is traditionally ascribed to

Would that work?

My son is a gender free biological 6 year old boy. His favourite colour is pink and he likes cars

If the OP has ever been disadvantaged at work by gender (ie, structural sexism in action) then how could anyone say she shouldn't compete for this award?

So proud so see so many genderfree OFAB (observed female at birth) people on this thread. I hope one day we will all be able to live without fear and come out in our respective communities to shelter together under that massive umbrella Stonewall has provided.

I can see a time when I will have to amend my work email signature to include pronouns and gender stuff. Up until yesterday I did think that when backed into a corner I would have said NB was the closest description of me but genderfree (OFAB) with pronouns she and her will now be my choice. It is far more reflective of my attitudes and interests than the stereotypes of woman I've failed to meet all my life.

Input from a thickie alert:

If, regardless of how we feel about it, OP's work have decided to include K on its list, could she get into trouble at work due to us laughing about its inclusion here? Even if we think they are bonkers to include it?

If we are all trans, could the TRAs say that it proves that TWAW? And be taken as us reinforcing them?

No it isn’t a joke. It’s at the very centre of being GC.

The delicious irony of TRAs complaining Somerville is taking the place of someone else. Welcome to our world mate!

If we are all trans, could the TRAs say that it proves that TWAW? And be taken as us reinforcing them?

They could say that, but it would be just another of their logical fallacies.
Genderfree isn't 'trans', but it's not 'cis' either, and therefore is deemed to fit under the capacious umbrella.

I don't see how the OP can be castigated for admitting ignorance about the K, or be held responsible for ensuing discussion. Some posters have tried to explain it but tbh I'm still non the wiser why it should be a criterion for this award.

The fact that wokesters think their Gender obsession is the first time anyone has questioned Gender is testament to their myopic arrogance. The fact that they can only see #genderfree as a bunch of women taking the piss is testament to their inherent misogyny

so much this

I expect genderfree will be removed from 'the list' very soon. With a hugely convoluted explanation as to why, or not.

*Kindness" if we're all (or the majority) are under the trans umbrella because we don't identify with a narrow band of behaviours that have been determined as 'cis' then we can move away from the 'stunning and brave' narrative that precludes a sensible conversation about safeguarding biological women. I'm genderfree and wish to share safe spaces on the basis of my biology. My voice is just as important to Stonewall as say Pip Bunce or Aimee Challenor. I've been living my authentic life longer than them. And if I'm not listened to I can claim discrimination.

So nice to be sheltered under that Stonewall umbrella. #Genderfreebiologicalfemale

The delicious irony of TRAs complaining Somerville is taking the place of someone else. Welcome to our world mate!

Yup. I think every irony meter in the entire world just simultaneously exploded

I've just seen Aidan Comerford's attempt to rap Somerville's knuckles:

twitter.com/MrAComerford/status/1114045900475850752

It's an incredibly weak attack by his usual standards. But what else can he say? Checkwoke!

As a gender-free lesbian who does not have or subscribe to gender identity, so whose strongly held belief is that a lesbian is a homosexual female, any male lesbians who approach me will be reported forthwith to the West Yorkshire Constabulary for misgendering and transphobia and homophobia, along with violently and coercively pushing a belief system onto me to which I don’t subscribe. That’s three protected characteristics there, so etch a sketch your way out of that one wokesters.

I wonder if we genderfree types should have a new thread, perhaps The Somerville Arms pub to discuss the travails of living a genderfree life. It would allow us to support the general struggle whilst keeping this thread for supporting the leader.

Sadly I'm blocked by Aidan Comerford.

But anyone who isn't blocked might like to share this screenshot from Stonewall's glossary of terms at www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/glossary-terms#t.

It reads: TRANS
An umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth.
Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) transgender, transsexual, gender-queer (GQ), gender-fluid, non-binary, gender-variant, crossdresser, genderless, agender, nongender, third gender, two-spirit, bi-gender, trans man, trans woman, trans masculine, trans feminine and neutrois.

Just the first sentence would cover pretty much every woman on FWR. But even though 'genderfree' isn't included on the list of terms, I should think Somerville could equally well be classified as genderless or nongender. And they do say the list isn't exclusive.

I looked up neutrois and in a big shiny box at the top of the screen it says

You have the right to self identify however you wish. There is no gender police here – nobody to tell you what you are, how you are, or how you’re supposed to be. If you feel Neutrois is a label, word, concept, term, or identity that fits you in any way, take it as yours. There are as many ways of experiencing and expressing your gender as there are people

ok I am neutrois. I like it. It sounds kind of French.

yup, I think most of us are neutrois by this cringemaking definition

So everyone is trans except for those people who identify with sex stereotypes. Seems like a winner to me!

Faz by that definition of neutrois I fall almost entirely into the Boy category

yes me too. I like cars. I play online computer games. I have short hair. I don't always wear make up. I chop up wood with a chainsaw. I like watching football on tv. Hate exercise, don't wear heels. I like pink though and when I do wear lipstick it is pink.