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Sdelf-Created, Self-Defined, Self-Sustained
When gender is seen as binary, any deviations from these polar extremes are rendered invisible. In this silenced state, diversity suffers, which in turn negatively impacts individuals and community. A persons identity and individuality are robbed from them when gender becomes a binary label. This binary labeling demonstrates a lack of sensitivity and respect for a person's background, experiences, skills, and knowledge. Variety within community diminishes when this valuable information is not shared and diversity isn't valued and prioritized amongst members.
When gender is self-created, self-defined, and self-sustained, existence within community becomes positive and allows people, as well as community, to flourish. Because one cannot exist without the other, it is the responsibility of both the individual and the community to maintain a healthy and safe environment for gender variant people. This ultimately creates a safe environment for everyone. Most people would not allow another to dictate their race, ability, sex, or other personal characteristics. Although sometimes these things may seem apparent, no one can truly know another person's realities or preferences. This ignorance often leads to the "isms" (ageism, racism, sexism, able-ism, etc.) and can become hurtful to individuals and community at large.
When speaking about the isms, genderism does not come up often. Genderism is the belief that gender is binary, and that only two genders-male and female-exist. Genderism marries gender and sex, concluding that they are one and the same. Many people make this mistake, but it's important, even crucial, to remember that "sex" refers to one's biological sex at birth: male, female, or intersex. Gender is a person's internal sense of self, role, expression, and behavior. Gender is also determined by society and others' perception. Misgendering can become very detrimental to the person who is being misidentified.
I have experienced genderism in many different types of communities. Even the most open communities which tout feminism, diversity, and queer inclusion have exhibited genderism towards me. These experiences have been in cities, towns, neighborhoods, intentional communities, group organizations, and friend circles. Often these experiences were due to a lack of information about gender politics and visibility of gender variant people within community. I do not believe that my gender and my sex are one and the same, and that has...