Fighting Gender Stereotypes

[Betsy]

I stopped at a McDonald's today to get a happy meal (easy to eat on the road). The line at the drive thru had several cars so I went inside to order.

The clerk asked boy or girl, and having the opportunity to make a point face to face, stated "hermaphrodite"

The look on her face was classic---hard to described but one of horror and confusion...if you need a good laugh someday, do the same.

Betsy

[beach]

hi betsy , im in town for a few weeks , headin to GA in april ... you know im going to have to do that , across the states now !!!!!!!!but the Q is do i get both toys?.... beach

[Betsy]

We should probably say "intersex" since it is more correct though. It's a good way to educate. Next week I'll put something together that you can print out and leave with them. They are potential parents so it's a good effort.

Betsy

[Peter]

Hi Betsy,

I will try the "intersex" answer when I get a chance.

Peter

[Wyn]

Betsy,

I'll tell you, I had a great laugh with that. Literally blowing their sexual construct doors in (and leaving them wide open I might add!)

I commend you with high honors!

Wyn

[Dana Gold]

quote:

"but one of horror and confusion"

In another thread wherein it mentioned the violence that is so prevalent in our society;it was accurately pointed out that "flashpoint" reactions of anger and hate may spontaneously occur in seemingly benign situations. Even though I continually preach acceptance of all human beings; it would be foolhardy to assume all people are civil, virtuous and compassionate enough to NOT react in a manner that may be detrimental and/or frightening; especially when they are faced with something they may consider to be horrible,weird, or ungodly. It is a mistake to assume that they would be stable enough to NOT commit acts of passive or active violence. Both potentially creating more wounds to the flesh and psyche of the person who expected a laugh from the recipient who "sat on the Whoopee cushion"

Therefore, I personally, would recommend caution in pulling such a prank on an unsuspecting individual. One does not always know for sure the nature and present demeanor of the person to whom one is talking. I apologize for sounding so grave; but we do live in a deluded and overly aggressive society; and assault on persons have been committed for mere "glances" as was pointed out in the "eggshells" thread.

PS: I once had a similar situation a couple of years ago and when I said "both", then explained I was intersexed, I received a hard stare:mad: and someone in the background muttered "faggot":eek:

This reply is not to be construed as a rebuttal, an admonishing of the previous posters, or an act of rebellion: I am merely stating my personal feelings and opinion on the matter. I have respect for all humankind; but I do NOT trust every single person out there in the jungle of life; and I am very leery of and exceedingly cautious around some.

[Billie Q.]

Originally posted by Betsy
I stopped at a McDonald's today to get a happy meal (easy to eat on the road). The line at the drive thru had several cars so I went inside to order.

The clerk asked boy or girl, and having the opportunity to make a point face to face, [I] stated "hermaphrodite"

:) Grass roots activism.

[Jules]

Hope every thing is well, It is good to see you sneak in.

[beach]

well betsy . i did it , and the young screamin queen at the counter said "so your child is transgenderd " i repeated no intersex he said "like theres a diff-a-rince" well after i ripped him a new one ,the mngr came over and told him i was right and maybe he should read a book . well i got a free happy meal beach ps i got both toys [plush dog and cat]

[Girlyboy]

What an interesting concept. Indeed, grass roots actavism. I love it. I'm no fan of McChucks, but it might be interesting to educate them that there's more to gender than male and female. I personally don't like the term intersexed, and prefer hermaphrodite any day though.

Maybe we should list what McChuck's we visit, and pay them the occasional revisit to see if they've progressed anywhat.

Interestingly enough in Australia they normally do not have 'gender specific' toys. I think the kids get to choose what toy they want, regardless of what their gender is. Or, more often, they just get the non gender orientated toy.

[Betsy]

The key to it of course is to then use the opportunity to make the point that 5 kids a day gets their genitals mutilated because society says little girls and boys can't have genitals that don't "match" The danger is always that it confuses people thinking that intersex people are a third gender or something which isn't the case.

Either way, it's always fun to see that expression on the face of the recipient.

Betsy

[Az1]

ugh, kinda like White castle hamburgers eh .

I will pass on that grub.

Muhoe

Az1