A Word From 'Ampersand'

Oh, yes, I found this blog when I was doing one of my trans- searches and I love this guys mouth . . . er more like his fingers or voice. You can find the full post and comments at http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2006/04/27/on-transgender-transsexuals-and-entrenching-the-binary-gender-system/ but I posted the opening below. Sorry I'm terrible at some blogging basics but you can copy and paste the link.

It’s been years - almost two decades - since the last time I wore makeup or a dress. Why? I like dresses.

I recently noticed that - although I’ve never given the matter any conscious thought - that I always tie my hair back in a low ponytail. Even though a high ponytail would often be more comfortable (for instance, in airplanes, cars, and other situations with high-backed chairs). But a high ponytail is seen as “feminine” in our society, and I unconsciously chose to avoid that.

I spend a lot of time thinking about feminism and sexism and the need to fight our society’s coercive gender role structure. Yet when I shop for clothing, I do so in a way that implicitly condones those very roles. I dress like a man. I tie my hair in a culturally masculine style. I’m helping to entrench the system I oppose.

I really wish that I had his skill at writing or at least condensing my thoughts into a meaningful article. Well I guess I have another hobby to work on.