Tag Archives: gender identity

Different Perspectives: Gender Neutral Bathrooms

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As I was scrolling through my Facebook feed, I came across a story about a women’s angry letter to Target. I was automatically intrigued because, I mean, how can anyone be mad at Target?? The blogger wanted to let the internet know that she decided to cut up her credit card and boycott Target because of the new policy changes of Gender Neutral bathrooms. You can read the article here!

Right after I saw the letter, I saw a link from Mashable called:Bathroom phobias trans and non-binary people think you should actually have.

It was really interesting to see the different perspectives really back to back, and I really liked how I could look at this topic as a whole. I personally am pro gender neutral bathrooms and don’t think it is a big deal at all. It is something that has to change, we have so many other genders and expressions of identity, that it would be unfair to force them to choose a bathroom that makes them feel uncomfortable or even unsafe.

Take a look at both and let me know how you feel!!

 

 

 

 

 

New Law for North Carolina

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Recently North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed a new state law that won’t allow local government measures to protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. According to USA Today, the law halts cities and counties from putting their own anti-discrimination policies in place, as it sets a standard for the entire state that leaves out gender identity and sexual orientation.

One criticism warns that the state risks losing money for education due to Title IX Anti-Discrimination regulations. Those who oppose this law also believe that it is a huge step backwards for human rights. Supporters of the law state that it “protects all people from having to share bathrooms with people who make them feel unsafe” as it requires all people to use bathrooms that match what biological sex is on their birth certificate.

Based on what we learned in Chapter 1 of Julia T. Wood’s book, Gendered Lives, biological sex and gender are separate. So is it fair that this law requires people who might identify as a gender that is different from their biological sex to use a certain bathroom? Additionally, what about all people having the right to be protected from discrimination?

So what do you think? Based on what we have learned in class, is this law unfair?

“Real Men Work”

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Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge fan of rap music by a variety of artists. One of my favorite rappers, Wax, has a song called “I Ain’t A Real Man.” The catchy hook qualifies the title:

I ain’t a real man, real men work
Digging, digging, shoveling dirt
The kind of work, that when you get home your back hurts
Blood stains cover your shirt, that’s real work

[youtube]https://youtu.be/rVIIUaWxvb8[/youtube]

The rest of the song goes on to explain how Wax doesn’t consider himself a “real man” for working in the music industry as a rapper when there are firemen, soldiers, plumbers, migrant workers, coal miners, truckers, and even McDonald’s employees who are laboring under worse conditions for worse compensation. I thought it was an interesting perspective, considering most rappers take pride in boasting about their masculinity and degrading that of any competition in the industry.

We learned that masculine identity is often expected to include certain elements of success and self-reliance in one’s field of work, but in spite of this, Wax admires laymen who work more labor-intensive jobs for less wages. Listening to the song is helpful in understanding the dynamic logic he offers, so I encourage you to check it out!