gqid:
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Transcendence: A Positive Trans*, Non-Binary, and Genderqueer Fiction/Art Zine
Edited by Marilyn Roxie and Jacob Milnestein
Release Date: 1st Quarter/2nd Quarter 2013
As achievements in increased awareness of the spectrum of gender identities continue to be made, there is also a growing need for positive representation of trans*, non-binary, and genderqueer people in fiction and artwork; stories and images that can uplift and inspire those in the community, and enlighten our allies. The purpose of the Transcendence zine is to showcase the diversity of our identities and the varied ways in which we celebrate ourselves. We are currently seeking fiction and art submissions.
The zine will be also serve as an effort to generate interest for the anthology on the same topic we plan to release later on in 2013 - any submissions to the zine may be considered for the later anthology. The anthology, unlike the zine (which will be freely available online) will have a cost with all proceeds donated to a charity that works with the trans* community.
- Fiction Guidelines: Short stories - 4,000 to 8,000 word length. All genres welcome - seeking magic realism and speculative fiction in particular. Science fiction, historical, fantasy, straight lit are all acceptable, although perhaps it might be easier to steer away from direct horror due to the positive nature of the anthology. Please feel free to contradict this if you desire, whether it is through the the most breathtaking and life-affirming ‘Final Girl’ scenario within the context of a tale that deals with affirmation regarding gender, or another subversive approach.
- Art Guidelines: Art of uplifting nature (define positivity as you see fit) concerning trans*, non-binary, and/or genderqueer identity. The theme is entirely up to you. Art may be submitted along with or entirely independent of fiction piece.
- Fiction submissions: Submit your fiction work according to guidelines with a short bio and, if available, link to your website / online portfolio to gqid@mail.com as a .doc or .rtf attachment. with the subject TRANSCENDENCE ZINE SUBMISSION. Please include your author name and title of the piece. Content of text files should be presented in 12 point Times New Roman with 1 inch margins
- Art submissions: Submit your artwork according to guidelines with a short bio and, if available, link to your website / online portfolio to gqid@mail.com as a .jpg or .png attachment with the subject TRANSCENDENCE ZINE SUBMISSION. Please include your artist name and title of the piece, as well as any notes on medium or background information you may wish to include.
- The deadline to submit is January 20th, 2013. Authors and editors will not receive monetary compensation for their zine contribution - this will be a free release.
- Queries about the anthology can be directed to gqid@mail.com or tweeted to us @GenderqueerID on Twitter.
ABOUT THE EDITORS:
Marilyn Roxie blogs at Genderqueer Identities (http://genderqueerid.com/) and is a library tech and webmaster for the Center for Sex and Culture (http://sexandculture.org/) in San Francisco.
Jacob Milnestein writes stories. Like most people, he has a website.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Transcendence: A Positive Trans*, Non-Binary, and Genderqueer Fiction/Art Zine
Edited by Marilyn Roxie and Jacob Milnestein
Release Date: 1st Quarter/2nd Quarter 2013
As achievements in increased awareness of the spectrum of gender identities continue to be made, there is also a growing need for positive representation of trans*, non-binary, and genderqueer people in fiction and artwork; stories and images that can uplift and inspire those in the community, and enlighten our allies. The purpose of the Transcendence zine is to showcase the diversity of our identities and the varied ways in which we celebrate ourselves. We are currently seeking fiction and art submissions.
The zine will be also serve as an effort to generate interest for the anthology on the same topic we plan to release later on in 2013 - any submissions to the zine may be considered for the later anthology. The anthology, unlike the zine (which will be freely available online) will have a cost with all proceeds donated to a charity that works with the trans* community.
- Fiction Guidelines: Short stories - 4,000 to 8,000 word length. All genres welcome - seeking magic realism and speculative fiction in particular. Science fiction, historical, fantasy, straight lit are all acceptable, although perhaps it might be easier to steer away from direct horror due to the positive nature of the anthology. Please feel free to contradict this if you desire, whether it is through the the most breathtaking and life-affirming ‘Final Girl’ scenario within the context of a tale that deals with affirmation regarding gender, or another subversive approach.
- Art Guidelines: Art of uplifting nature (define positivity as you see fit) concerning trans*, non-binary, and/or genderqueer identity. The theme is entirely up to you. Art may be submitted along with or entirely independent of fiction piece.
- Fiction submissions: Submit your fiction work according to guidelines with a short bio and, if available, link to your website / online portfolio to gqid@mail.com as a .doc or .rtf attachment. with the subject TRANSCENDENCE ZINE SUBMISSION. Please include your author name and title of the piece. Content of text files should be presented in 12 point Times New Roman with 1 inch margins
- Art submissions: Submit your artwork according to guidelines with a short bio and, if available, link to your website / online portfolio to gqid@mail.com as a .jpg or .png attachment with the subject TRANSCENDENCE ZINE SUBMISSION. Please include your artist name and title of the piece, as well as any notes on medium or background information you may wish to include.
- The deadline to submit is January 20th, 2013. Authors and editors will not receive monetary compensation for their zine contribution - this will be a free release.
- Queries about the anthology can be directed to gqid@mail.com or tweeted to us @GenderqueerID on Twitter.
ABOUT THE EDITORS:
Marilyn Roxie blogs at Genderqueer Identities (http://genderqueerid.com/) and is a library tech and webmaster for the Center for Sex and Culture (http://sexandculture.org/) in San Francisco.
Jacob Milnestein writes stories. Like most people, he has a website.
(Continued) I don’t know what gender I want to be called or what gender I want to be seen as. I know my parents wouldn’t let me get a binder and I’m still completely closeted so I can’t experiment with different gender expression besides how I dress and cut my hair. I really want to try a binder out but I dont know how I would do that (I hear they’re also really expensive) and I’m worried about what people will say. Ugh this entire ask is just a big mess. I’m sorry if it makes no sense
GQID:
As far as coming out, many non-binary people have similar concerns, so you are not alone in this. In my case, coming out is not a single event but has happened again and again (and in some situations, I elect to not be out at all if it would infringe upon my comfort in some way). Many people view coming out as a process and it is important to know that one should not feel obligated to come out - ideally, it should be at your comfort.
Regarding the cost of binders, if you are able to get one at some pont the Levamentum Project has really cheap ones ($16 - $26): http://www.thelevamentumproject.com/?page_id=4 Binder prices are wildly variable - other sites to check out potentially are T-Kingdom, Les Love Boat, and Underworks.
I have heard that some people have used cosplaying / dressing up as a reason for getting a binder if parental permission is required, or even reasons of fashion aesthetics. It may also be possible to bind and others don’t notice like you think they would - although I told my parents what I would be doing, no one has yet made a comment about my chest when I’m wearing a binder - even if it brings you more comfort and you definitely notice the difference.
It can be frustrating to be sure that many people are not familiar with the non-binary identity, but when I feel this way, I remember too that I had to find out a lot of this information through my own research as well, even as someone who is non-binary.
If you are still concerned about coming out, you may want to check out the GQID coming out masterpost and tag for some potentially applicable information for the future. Since you are still working through how you identify, coming out is not generally the best step for the time since it might be an impulsive decision - I would recommend getting to a place of greater comfort and understanding with yourself before coming out. Exploring online and connecting with others who have a similar identity through forums and the like is what helped me when I was not in a position where it was possible for me to come out.
~Marilyn
Hello there!,
No need to apologize, I am here to help as best I can.
Agender does tend to refer to someone who does not have a gender identity (variously interpreted as genderless, or genderfree). Check out this post for defining genderless, agender, and neutrois:
http://neutrois.tumblr.com/post/18033527188/i-was-wondering-if-there-is-a-concrete-difference
Agender people may or may not identify as genderqueer. While genderqueer does typically refer to genders that are queer (i.e. non-normative), not every one may be comfortable with what the term queer entails. Other than being an increasingly common umbrella term for non-normative identities and non-normative expressions, “queer” has strong ties to what is radical, political, and Western - not everyone is going to feel this applies to them, even if they have a gender that could be considered queer. Additionally, genderqueer continues to be used in a broad umbrella sense, sometimes including people who’s gender expression is queer, even if they are binary-identified - this raises issues of appropriation and can cause people unfamiliar with genderqueer identity possibilities to make assumptions about people who identify as GQ. These reasons are why the term non-binary has gained increased currency, as it refers to genders that are not binary, without the additional baggage that queer can sometimes hold.
Asexual people may feel similarly about the matter in that some are not comfortable with the term queer in application to their identity, although others are. Queer is a convenient umbrella term more generally and inclusion under the umbrella is often seen as a move of acceptance, but as for individual cases, it is up to how someone is comfortable identifying and queer is not always appropriate, so it is best to clarify if unsure. You may also want to check out this post I made on the difference and relationship between the terms non-binary and genderqueer:
http://genderqueerid.com/post/22784179849/what-is-the-difference-if-any-between-genderqueer-and
I hope this helps!
~Marilyn
Thank you so much for sharing your story! ~Marilyn
kim-wears-seaglasses submitted:
I’ve been seeing a lot of questions about androgyny, and it’s made me want to share a
little bitlot about my own gender (or lack of, in my case).[[Homophobic slurs referenced, Reflection on past cissexist thinking]]
When I was little, I had absolutely no concept of gender. In afterschool programs, I’d play with the “boy’s” legos that were red and dark blue instead of the “girl’s” which were pink and pastel colors. I’d play with Barbies as well as with Knex and matchbox cars. I was indifferent to skirts and dresses until I realized that pants were so much more comfortable, and never did anything more than a ponytail with my hair. When I would help my mom bring in the groceries, my older sister would tease me about my relative masculinity, and call me “Big Strong Mahn”, but I didn’t really mind.
I feel like some work has already been done with personal essays, poetry, and fiction. I really want to put something together that can be used for gender studies in college. I know how controversial that is, because well, academia is terrible. But that’s part of the reason I want to do it. I know I could get it into some of the more liberal colleges syllabi, if I could just get it together and published.
I would want it to cover all sorts of experiences though, not just white FAAB experiences (which I can be classified as, even if I feel like the most common/well known rhetoric around white faab nonbinary identity doesn’t really fit my actual lived experience).would anybody else be interested in this?
This seems like a good idea to me!
Here are some other personal interpretations on what I think the Non-binary flag could look like.
I always enjoy seeing other genderqueer and/or non-binary flags that people have made! What is the symbolism of the colors? I like the first one (but then I am partial to tri-color flags).
~Marilyn
Hi there!
Agender tends to be used in place of place of genderless/genderfree or gender-neutral, so that doesn’t sound like what you’re describing. Third gender can be a catch-all for non-binary gender identities, so this may be applicable. What you’re describing sounds like it could come under the definition of gender fluid, the term bigender or even androgyne may be more appropriate. You may also describe your presentation as fluid or shifting, but your gender as something else (again, bigender or androgyne tend to be used to mean a mixture of two genders, typically man and woman or masculine and feminine). You may want to explore some resources on those identities like Bigender.net or The Androgyny RAQ.
I hope this helped!
~Marilyn
Non-Binary Transition: Exploring the Options.
BLURB
So you’re genderqueer/non-binary, but you’re tired of talking – you want to DO something about it. Yet transition is still a murky topic. Which bathroom do I use? What can people call me? Do I have to lie to get hormones? Am I eligible for surgery? What about a legal name or gender change? When you’re outside, in the middle, or on the edge of the binary, these questions are often left unanswered. While nobody but you can say what’s best for you, there ARE a lot of options to pick and choose a transition path that is right for you. This presentation is geared towards those who identify as genderqueer, non-binary, or are simply considering a non-traditional route, are starting to think about transition and want to gather all the information that’s harder to get. It’s not meant as a GQ/NB 101, rather as a 201 – addressing the “what happens now?”
Presenting this at the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference and Gender Odyssey this summer. Feedback is encouraged.
Hello there!,
It is, at this time, hard to know exactly how common not identifying with any gender is (this tends to be known as agender, or neutrois, although neutrois is also used to mean neutral-gender, and there has been some debate about the difference/s between the two terms: for more on this debate, see this AVEN topic) because there is so much emphasis in society on identifying with gender, and further, one’s options are limited to that of man or woman. The Transyada forum includes a lot of results for the query “agender” as well as an Agender Club topic you may want to check out, as well as lots of results on the AVEN forums for “agender”. You’re definitely not alone in feeling this way!
Hope this helped,
Marilyn
Forum GenderQueer: ресурс для андрогинов, бигендеров, агендеров, гендерквиров
“Resource for the androgyne, bigender, agender, genderqueer.”
I just found this today! Please get in touch if you know of other websites in any language that covers genderqueer topics!
I just had to address this search query I noticed that directed someone to Genderqueer Identities. Here goes:
Short answer is no. Implying that everyone is genderqueer is similarly incorrect (and even harmful) as implying that everyone is “really” bisexual or pansexual. Monosexualities, monoromantic attraction, and identifying as a man or a woman all are equally valid as the identities referred to above. It is incorrect to assume that people with one identity or one area of attraction are not being true to themselves in some way. It is as incorrect as assuming that bisexual or pansexual people are “really” heterosexual or homosexual, or assuming that genderqueer people are “really” men or women.
The way that certain identities are interpreted as queer or non-normative is dependent upon past and present understandings of sexuality and gender; no identities are intrinsically “subversive”. Stripping away our understanding of queer leaves the identities that being genderqueer is associated with, including androgyne, bigender, gender fluid, and neutrois. Identifying as two genders, being fluid or fixed with one or more genders, and identifying as a neutral gender or without gender are rather different experiences from identifying as one gender, and vice versa.
Understanding these identities as they are, the reality is that some people identify as one gender (whether associated with the binary or not), some as two, some as more. Some people want or need to modify their appearance, whether it be with clothes, implements like breast forms, binders, and packers, or with hormones and medical procedures. Some people don’t or aren’t sure. Some people are attracted to one sex or gender. Some people are attracted to more than one.
Understand that there are now and will continue to be a diverse array of possibilities for gender, sex, and sexuality identification. The binary is the probem, the assumption that there are only men and women, and the binary of sexualities in which there are only heterosexuals and homosexuals. The identities so often figured as guilty-by-association with the binary are not actually the problem and they are as valid as those identities described as non-binary or queer; the assumption that only two gender identities, or only two sexualities (or, unfortunately common, only heterosexuality) exist is the problem.
Check out Working it Out’s section on “But isn’t everyone really bisexual?” and Bi radical’s Words, binary, and biphobia for more background on my answer.
Received this from someone named Be in the GQID ask box - definitely check it out!
♥♥♥Attention Bay Area Residents♥♥♥
• Do you reside someplace outside the binary gender norm, or are you just tired of being told what is ‘male’ and what is ‘female?’
• Do any of the phrases “genderqueer, agender, gender-neutral, gender-transcending, gender-nonconforming, or transsexual” describe a part of who you are?
• Do you want to meet people who are similar to yourself in those regards?
Then come to Wicked Transcendent Folk (WTF), a weekly support/discussion group at The Pacific Center, in Berkeley! We meet every Tuesday, 7:30 - 9:30PM. We usually just end up talking about whatever, but serious discussion always takes priority over idle chat, whenever a topic presents itself. As with most support groups, what’s said in WTF stays in WTF, and it is a safe place where you don’t have to worry about being judged. We’re very accepting, and love to meet new people! Allies are welcome.
Note: The majority of followers who added their opinion in reblogs or in the recent poll decided they wanted the colors of lavender, white, and green to be kept, instead of my proposed lavender, black, green revision. Thanks for the input everyone! This is now the final design, not “proposed revision” as before.
The genderqueer pride flag is a Marilyn Roxie design, 3rd and final version created in June 2011, modified from version 1.0 in June 2010, and 2.0 in September 2010. The design is aesthetically similar to the gay and lesbian, bisexual, transgender, asexual, and pansexual flags; that is, horizontal bars of color with special meaning. The meaning of the colors in the genderqueer flag design are as follows:
Lavender (#b57edc): The mixture of blue and pink (traditional colors associated with men and women, present on the transgender pride flag) as lavender is meant to represent androgynes and androgyny. Also represents the “queer” in genderqueer, as lavender is a color that has long been associated with “queerness”, including gay, lesbian, and bisexual communities.
White (#ffffff): Meant to represent agender identity, congruent with the gender neutral white on the transgender pride flag.
Dark Chartreuse Green (#498022): The inverse of the lavender color; meant to represent “third gender” identity, i.e. those whose identities are defined outside of and without reference to the binary.
The three colors are not meant to indicate that any of these identities are entirely separate or opposites of one another conceptually; they are all interrelated as well as key concepts in their own right, and there are more concepts and variation of gender and sexuality present that tie into genderqueer identities than can be listed here. The purpose of the flag is to help create visibility for the genderqueer community and related identities.
Cheers,
~Marilyn
marilyn roxie
