Galaxy’s Gender Journey by Galaxy The concept of gender identity to me, is much like trying to catch a droplet of water in a flowing stream – it's intangible, almost amorphous, no less ambiguous than a cloud or the steam rising off the tarmac on a rainy day. Its very nature is elusive and yet it is often captured in fleeting moments of euphoria. When I embody gender, it comes with a feeling, a feeling of queer joy, if I can freely and unabashedly express it. A calmness that allows me to feel, even if temporarily, comfortable in my skin. The nature of it is fleeting, and based purely on how I feel that day so my gender representation changes with it. I am non-binary, that is to say I use they/them pronouns and these are the pronouns I use to describe myself, no matter what gender I feel I am representing on the outside. This allows me some lenience as to how I actively perceive myself, and has no correlation with how I may present outwardly. Some days I will choose to wear makeup, some days I will choose to dress casually, but I do not ascribe my wardrobe to be masculine or feminine, rather an alchemy of both and simultaneously none, because that is how I am most comfortable. This is not to diminish anyone else's gender journey, be it in their presentation or their pronouns, but in fact to celebrate it. The nature of gender as an expression or an identity is so unique and personal that it is important to celebrate all manifestations of it. It is important to honour the journeys that we all take, and to do so with kindness, love, and compassion and most of all, understanding. If you don't know somebody's pronouns, ask them. Even if their pronouns change, it is important to be respectful of them and to offer them a space and environment which allows them to express themselves freely, in a way that honours their human experience. We must take the measures we can to actively empower and support gender euphoria, that is the feeling of joy associated with embodying your gender identity, whatever it may be – the contrast of this being gender dysphoria. I can tell you from my own experience, gender euphoria comes in many forms, such as being referred to by the correct pronouns, wearing what I feel comfortable in that day, looking in the mirror and feeling like what I see matches how I feel on the inside, knowing my friends and family respect my gender identity, especially in private and knowing my friends defend my pronouns when I am not around. Having this network of support, and knowing that my friends and family are accepting and honouring of my gender journey, even as it evolves, allows me to freely and proudly express my gender identity in ways that are self-honouring and ultimately, a core component of my mental health. Create safe spaces wherever you are for people to express and even have fun with gender expression and gender identity, allow for spaces and environments which foster this exploration. Having that support could mean the world to somebody just exploring and coming to terms with their gender identity. Empower their experience and foster their gender euphoria by being respectful of their pronouns, by celebrating their gender expression, and by sharing space with them as they share their journey with you. Gender for some is black and white, and for some it is grey, for others it is a myriad of colours, and maybe even a spectrum that cannot be defined. It is important that we honour all phases, colours, shades and the mosaic that makes up the human experience, and
that we do it with the understanding that the journey is unique, incomparable, and that even at times, it is fun to explore, and that on its own is enough to embrace it. Simply because it brings joy. And why not be the reason somebody feels joy today? Galaxy Pride Villager Issue #10 Spring 2023 www.villagerpublications.com Publisher: Barb Botten, Villager Publications P.O. Box 134, Lambeth Station Ontario N6P 1P9 Managing Editors: Barb Botten, Martin Withenshaw
Graphic Artist: Cathy Wood Read past issues of Pride Villager at www.villagerpublications.com
PRIDE Villager
Page 9 Issue 10 • Spring 2023
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