Submitted by Jae, the model. Photography by Summer Stone

I identify with music more than I ever did with masculinity and femininity. I wonder how many weird looks people would give me if I started telling people my gender was “punk rock.”

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

You can call me… Aaron.

I identify as… an effeminate queer trannyboi.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I far prefer male ones. “Sir” gives me warm fuzzy feelings.

I’m attracted to… Feminine men. Feminine women. Masculine women. Androgynous people in any body. Humor. Sarcasm. Intelligence. Goofiness.

When people talk about me, I want them to… not refer to me as “that weird girl who wants to be a guy.” (I don’t know that it’s happened, but I imagine it probably has.)

I want people to understand… that even though I have some personality traits deemed “girly,” it doesn’t mean I’m less of the man I know I am on the inside.

» Define yourself. «

Submitted by tmd, the model and photographer.

Whenever people say they’re going use the bathroom I wish them luck. Most people think I’m just being silly when I say this. I always wish myself luck—let’s see which one shall I choose? I know, let’s find the family room.

My vagina is not a threat to my masculinity.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

You can call me… Aja.

I identify as… A girl…364 days of the year. Occasionally much less feminine than I look. Perhaps pansexual although I’ve never defined my sexuality really, and don’t know as I feel the need to.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I prefer female ones.

I’m attracted to… gender-ambiguous people, feminine boys, and mildly boyish girls with cute faces.

When people talk about me, I want them to… not assume anything despite my feminine appearance and mannerisms. Talk about who I am.

I want people to understand… that people who strongly associate as female can still feel gender ambiguous even for just one day of the year. On that day I really just feel with all my being that I’m a little boy.

» Define yourself. «

Submitted by Jack, Image credited to Neal Preston, 1975 (Corbis)

Although Led Zeppelin is often thought of as a pretty ‘masculine’ band, I think Jimmy Page in particular pushed gender boundaries more often than not. His long hair, blend of male and female clothing, mannerisms, and androgynous figure all contribute to a delightful sense of ambiguity. I love this picture of him from 1975 – he doesn’t look particularly male or female, but he does look like himself.

Submitted by Link, the model.

My friends don’t understand my abhorrence for public restrooms. I guess when you don’t get glared at just for going to pee, you don’t really know what it’s like.

What’s your experience?

And what are you thinking about gender right now?

I identify as… the Ps and Qs of the acronyms.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … I prefer those that are gender neutral.

I’m attracted to… others based not upon sex or gender, but rather who they truly are once the institutional boxes and labels placed upon them by both themselves, others, and socio-culture are removed. The possibilities for love are limitless once such hindering factors are removed.

When people talk about me, I want them to… not to make any assumptions, be they correct or not. I do not want anyone to automatically assume I identify as hetero just as I do not want to be assumed to not be. I also want them to be curious and to want to ask questions.

I want people to understand… polyamory and pansexuality. That I do not identify perhaps as they might. That I am not going to rob them of their morals and steal their lovers or be attracted to them just because I do not create obstacles for myself in whom I allow myself to be attracted to. Pansexuality does not mean I am attracted to everyone, and polyamory does not mean that I want to have relationships with everyone.

» Define yourself. «

How am I supposed to explain to a friend that I never wanted to date him but rather BE him? At times it can be too confusing to tell the difference between attraction as a partner or a role model. I don’t know how long I can handle the one-sided flirting.

Please post your response in the comments below.

» Ask Genderfork «

Submitted by Eric, the model and photographer.

You can call me… Jesse.

I identify as… trans-masculine, genderqueer, dyke who’s still figuring myself out.

As far as third-person pronouns go, … either one is fine, or just Jesse. People usually use female ones unless I correct them and that’s okay, but male can be nice, especially when I’m trying to look masculine.

I’m attracted to… girls! I like feminine girls, but intelligence, humor, kindness, understanding and flexibility are especially important to me in a lover or even a friend.

When people talk about me, I want them to… look me in the eye, respect me, ask me if they have questions, and not feel embarrassed. I would rather someone ask me about myself than hear something incorrect from someone else. I try to be as open as possible to different opinions and perceptions, but I don’t want to be invisible. I want people to see and hear me, even if they don’t necessarily understand me.

I want people to understand… that it’s not just gender assumptions that need to be challenged! But it would be nice if people could understand that how I see myself is constantly changing, so I don’t expect everyone to keep up with me all the time, but an effort would be nice.

About Jesse
I’m a freshman in college at a school in Indiana. I am very into Shakespeare studies, Latin and looking up random facts on wikipedia. I really like stumbleupon, especially when I’m trying to avoid doing work, and I listen to all sorts of music (especially embarrassing 90′s pop/rock). I want to go into early childhood special education, and I love working with kids. My favorite foods are definitely popcorn and smoothies (preferably at the same time). Still figuring myself out in terms of gender, and trying to be okay with my everchanging identity.

» Define yourself. «