50+ gender labels- Can't I just be me?

When things change the question to ask is why? Why are there more than 50 -70 gender options out there? Answer- because the current gender labels do not fit. Why do they not fit? Answer- because they are social constructs, with different assumptions, expectations and stereotypes of behaviour, depending on where you are in the world. Is creating more socially constructed labels the way to deal with socially constructed labels not fitting? No. Because each time we put a label onto ourselves there are set assumptions, expectations and behaviours to adhere to.

I hate labels. I hate having to define myself by my gender, sexual orientation, food choices, political choices etc. Labels are supposed to help people know more about you but really they put you into a box. My fear with creating all these gender identities is that we are just creating more division.

Social Identity Theory shows that when we identify with a group we enhance the status of our group and become prejudiced against 'others'. Others include those within that group who don't conform. For example, I read an article on a transsexual being ostracised by those who say he is too feminine to have changed sex, and also by the transsexual community saying he is too masculine. To fight for equality but only for those who identify with the same label and conform to that label is false.

If the 50-70 gender labels become mainstream, does this then mean children need to read through 50-70 labels and decide which one they are? Do they do this when they first enter school at the age of 4? Does this label then stick for life? What if 5-10 years down the line they change? Humans change throughout their lifetimes, and identity crisis comes from not fitting into current labels or by realising the label we have chosen now does not fit. If instead, their caregivers decide this for them, then nothing has changed.

By putting so much emphasis on being labelled correctly we are censoring our own behaviour. It is as if everyone has to be somehow different with a new label to define themselves. Why is it not enough for our sense of identity to come from personality? Regardless of identity, we make close social connections based on how we get on.

I do understand labels within equal opportunities monitoring. Discrimination against a range of people is already prevalent and it does help campaign groups try to hold employers, policy and society to account. But to have 70 plus gender options won't further equality. I'd prefer 'sex' rather than 'gender,' such as; male, female, transsexual, intersex, other. Statistics can still be drawn but the emphasis is lowered on a socially constructed concept.

What pronouns to use should also be discussed. 'them'is grammatically incorrect as I am one person. I'd prefer my name to 'she' 'her' 'them'. 'Wish Jo a happy birthday'. Who is doing the report? 'Jo is' rather than 'she' is. If you don't know people's names then I quite like 'human'. It takes us back to our basics and removes ego based on identity. 'That human told me to come over here etc.'

Everyone has the right to equal rights and to be themselves without fear, prejudice or discrimination. Gender norms are finally being broken down into gender-neutral schooling, clothing etc. Creating more labels does not stop stereotyping. It is better to remove the gender label completely instead of creating more ways to box ourselves in and separate ourselves from each other. It is only by removing labels that we can just be who we are.

Original piece commissioned by www.tremr.com

#genderneutral #culture #Identity