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[Ultimately_Untrue_Thought.git] / content / 2018 / sticker-prices.md

diff --git a/content/2018/sticker-prices.md b/content/2018/sticker-prices.md
index 7d8589b..6425da2 100644 (file)
--- a/content/2018/sticker-prices.md
+++ b/content/2018/sticker-prices.md
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ The question came as we introduced ourselves mid-conversation. After I gave my n
 
 I think I handled it reasonably well?—hemming and stalling for a few seconds before eventually giving _he_, with a disclaimer that the reason I hesitated was because I don't want to imply that I _identify_ with masculinity—it's complicated. The questioner, sensing my discomfort, made an effort to placate or reassure me: "Sure," the person said, nodding, "That's just what you're using right now; that's cool."
 
 
 I think I handled it reasonably well?—hemming and stalling for a few seconds before eventually giving _he_, with a disclaimer that the reason I hesitated was because I don't want to imply that I _identify_ with masculinity—it's complicated. The questioner, sensing my discomfort, made an effort to placate or reassure me: "Sure," the person said, nodding, "That's just what you're using right now; that's cool."
 

-The question was a compliment, really. I don't think they would have asked if I had had a beard. There's _no chance_ of anyone mistaking me for a woman—but maybe the conjunction of my beautiful-beautiful ponytail and my manner and my [slight gynecomastia](/2017/Sep/hormones-day-156-developments-doubts-and-pulling-the-plug-or-putting-the-cis-in-decision/) is enough for me to be mistaken for the kind of man ([in the sense of](/2018/Apr/reply-to-the-unit-of-caring-on-adult-human-females/) adult human male) who thinks he can demand that other people perceive him as a woman or nonbinary person. (I think I'm at least as credibly androgynous as a couple of the guys I saw wearing the _they/them/theirs_ stickers.)
+The question was a compliment, really. I don't think they would have asked if I had had a beard. There's _no chance_ of anyone mistaking me for a woman—but maybe the conjunction of my beautiful–beautiful ponytail and my manner and my [slight gynecomastia](/2017/Sep/hormones-day-156-developments-doubts-and-pulling-the-plug-or-putting-the-cis-in-decision/) is enough for me to be mistaken for the kind of man ([in the sense of](/2018/Apr/reply-to-the-unit-of-caring-on-adult-human-females/) adult human male) who thinks he can demand that other people perceive him as a woman or nonbinary person. (I think I'm at least as credibly androgynous as a couple of the guys I saw wearing the _they/them/theirs_ stickers.)

 
 How strange it is—to be _seen_ and _unseen_ at the same time. Seen, because nice smart progressive people know to look for cues of gender variance and accord that with deference and latitude, such that I parse (correctly!) as someone who plausibly has some kind of gender problems, rather than "man who happens to have long hair for whatever stupid but uninteresting reason."
 
 
 How strange it is—to be _seen_ and _unseen_ at the same time. Seen, because nice smart progressive people know to look for cues of gender variance and accord that with deference and latitude, such that I parse (correctly!) as someone who plausibly has some kind of gender problems, rather than "man who happens to have long hair for whatever stupid but uninteresting reason."