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.

(#great tweeting OP, I meant...)

We are genderfree. We reject gender utterly. It's not about anyone else. We are not going to accept a label which presupposes an ideology we don't subscribe to.

Sally couldn't name the power dynamic between men and women if the fate of the universe depended on it.

Thx on the tweeting. I continue borrowing a lot of it fro here!

Hines has a ludicrous lack of logic, but as I replied to her tonight her widening the audience who hears about genderfree is very welcome

And so Sally can wait, she knows it's too late as we're walking on by
Her soul slides away, but don't look back in anger I heard you say

Don't Look Back in Anger g.co/kgs/VXGBAx

I don't use Twitter so haven't seen anything other than the screen grabs on here.
Really interesting how women are not 'allowed' the same privileges to define ourselves if our presentation 'matches' our assumed gender as other folk. Hypocrisy much?

Yes, “Acceptance without exception!” they say. Unless it’s women identifying themselves.

No, Sally. It's primarily women who are wanting to be 'genderfree' - women, who understand only too clearly the chains of gender.

Many of us have been saying for years that the real difference between GC and nonbinarys etc is that they want to escape the boxes themselves, we want to demolish the boxes for everyone. And also that we know we can't identify out of our sex, so we have to continue to work for societal change to counter structural sexism.

Yes, “Acceptance without exception!” they say. Unless it’s women identifying themselves.

Women are just fine as long as they call themselves ciswomen or menstruators or cervix-havers, and step back and let their transisters into their loos and safe places, and applaud their every move from the back of the queue.

No. I am brown and from a poor background. I am also #genderfree and I reject this shitty, racist analogy.

This really pisses me off too, completely discounting a load of us that are actually here, it's them who are racist and classist. Not to mention that the disadvantage of growing up with sexual assault or parents with substance misuse problems etc that have well documented effects on physical and mental health problems cut across demographics and are individually experienced.

Somerville just popping in here (I NC a lot) to say "Brava!" for your continued patience and fab tweeting. I did a stint of retweeting & responding over breakfast this morning and I'm just so impressed at how open & patient you are. I froth at the mouth with the rudeness & idiocy of some of the woke keyboard warriors.

I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that we all want to be your friend. fangirling madly

I filled in an online form yesterday and where it asked my Gender, I put "I'm Genderfree, but my sex is Female"
They've come back to me to ask what I mean. I've spent some time educating them today. :)
Somer, how you have the patience on Twitland is beyond me and

Awesome SoVery
RT’s, responses or likes to everyone #genderfree is so helpful!
And personally speaking it is easier to remain reasonable and lighthearted when I know that its exposing the misogynist I’m talking to to a load of women laughing
I’m trying to figure out the MNers to follow back, with v limited time - chuck our fave type of cake or crisps my way or something to identify yourselves!

You're following me under my non-MN non-RL Twitter handle. Can't use my real name as I've been doxxed.

Ah good. (I cross posted with a PM).

Nice work, foodstuff people!

You've found me too under my recently anonymised Twitter handle, Somerville When I first joined Twitter I thought I could do it under my real name. I know better now.

;) Somer :)

Well, strike me pink... Sally Hines, Professor of Sociology and Gender Studies, has just asked me on Twitter what a woman is! I'm starting to feel sorry for her students.

haha. I'm one of your persistent "likers" and you have followed me back. I can't retweet at the moment unfortunately because my Twitter is connected to work. But the day will come! :)

I think Sally Hines is at a conference - apparently one of the speakers has said that Jesus was non-binary.

Fucksake Sally Hines et al really do give sociology/social sciences in general a bad name.what is a woman indeed. The biomedical sciences don't seem to have a problem differentiating men and women,strangely enough. Why would anyone want to pursue an academic degree or career under someone so intellectually bankrupt

I created a new Gmail account and they asked for my gender. Since I am gender free, I did not tick the boxes provided but ticked "other" and manually entered genderfree. I feel so liberated now! [grin}

apparently one of the speakers has said that Jesus was non-binary because he had long hair and wore a 'dress'? Or because he was nurturing and kind?!

Lamaha I just customised my gender to genderfree on my FB profile. Woohoo, look at me I'm now under the trans umbrella, getting crowded under here huh?!

Sadly no details given! Hopefully a woke publisher will reprint the Bible with ‘they’ pronouns for Jesus now. And put a unicorn on the cover.