Hey, I'm new.

[motyljok]

Hi everyone. My name's Bethany. As it happens, I am not intersexed, but I am an ally. I am female-boded (is that even an appropriate term? I don't know...) but I don't really participate in the gender dichotomy. I'm not saying that a non-gendered person and an intersexual go through the same experiences. Not at all. However, I think my gender identity is something that has... I guess, helped me, because I have strong opinions. I believe that everyone should be treated with respect regardless of chromosomes, gender identity, genitalia, and so on.

About me: I'm a college student, studying art at the University of Minnesota Duluth. I love to draw. I'm agnostic. I'm really looking forward to the end of the school year (one more week!)

And I'm working on a book. I've been working on it for a year, but I took a very long break, so now I'm only on the 23rd page. My main character is intersexed, so that's a big part of why I'm here. I need to educate myself.

I do not mean to be intrusive and I hope I will be welcome here.

[RGMCjim]

Hi,

Understanding what it's like to be intersexed is pretty complex. There are lots of different types of intersex, and lots of different degrees of intersexing conditions - and as many ways that it all affects our lives.

I'd like to suggest a book for you, "Intersex and Identity, the contested self", by Sharon Preeves. Amazon.com carries it. I strongly recommend it to everyone who is trying to understand what it is like to be intersexed, or trying to become an ally to intersexed people.

I'm intersexed myself, and also do some educating on intersex issues.

Jim C.

[Glenn]

Hi Bethany!

Yay U of MN! (I went to Minneapolis. Hard to brag about a golden gopher, however...)
Welcome to the community.
Our culture is so vehemently binary about gender, it's often really hard to picture a place for those of us who don't quite fit the cookie cutter stereotypes. So don't worry, many folks are a bit confused when they first get here. But it's ok. We don't bite.

Glenn

[Peter]

It's good to see you back here on BLO

Peter

[Dianne]

Originally Posted by Glenn

We don't bite

Speak for yourself Glenn ... I have been known to bite

Welcome Bethany!

It's true - you really can encounter a lot of shitty treatment when you don't fit the stereotypes. People get right freaky when you cause them to question the binary and straight-forward issue of male/female, masculine/feminine, man/woman. Sort of only leave "it".

[Glenn]

thanks Peter!

...and sorry Dianne, I'll try not to overspeak next time.

[Dianne]

Glenn <-