The Reactions Of Max And Koh Face

In Octavia Butler’s Dawn the idea of gender is deconstructed and reformed from the typical human’s definition. Often people do not consider the role of gender in society today. Usually the first thing one notices when meeting someone new is their gender or their presumed gender. However, there becomes a problem when the person whose gender we perceived identifies as a different gender. Butler forces the reader to examine how they judge and perceive gender. While the ooloi are actually “its” their personalities seem to imply a certain gender. The transgender community often brings up this issue because these assumptions of gender based on our judgments of what defines a male and what defines a female can skew how a transgender person is treated and addressed. In Chapter One of Gender Through the Prism of Difference by Anne Fausto-Sterling, the idea of expanding the number of genders based on one’s biological differences is examined through the five sexes theory. By now the concept of gender being defined solely by one’s biology has mostly been left in the past but the question remains of how do we truly define gender? How does being outside of the social norms that Michael Warner talks about cause us to feel shame when discussing our gender and our perceptions of gender? In this essay, I will argue that preconceived notions of gender create shame when a person’s own perception of their gender does not fit the social norms. This stigma around the limited and strict definitions

When faced with a crisis of identity, we often stick with those who care in the best position to support us. In Neil Smith’s “Green Fluorescent Protein,” When Max was fighting with Ruby-Doo; he wants to stay with his mom for comfort. GFP is a metaphor for Max’s realization that he is queer. Max is ensuring of his feelings towards Ruby-doo. “In Pop’s arms, the white guinea pig turns a brilliant green…… It’s very weird and really scary. [it’s] kind of beautiful in an unexpected way” [50]. He tried to say same sex love can be weird and scary, but it’s love and love it a beautiful thing. Family plays an important role in max’s life. This is what for example Max’s said “I want to say, don’t go. Not that I’m afraid her date

They should have the right to dress as they choose, love who they choose, and be who they choose. It angers me that people believe differently considering they’ve never been in their shoes. In the “Paradoxes of Gender” Judith Lorber states, “We need to change biological sex in order to uphold the principle that biological sex determine one character”(41). Lorber's’ preconceived notion that one’s sex dictates their personality is flawed. It proves that society is unaccepting of people outside of the “norm”. Middle Sexes speaks to a wide variety of people but is mainly directed to transphobic people. However, the film isn’t very compelling because it doesn’t take the audience’s outlook into consideration. Through biological evidence and personal stories, the film strives to persuade transphobic people to be more accepting. Thomas attempts to persuade his target audience by referencing the science behind people who blur the lines between female and male. His unique approach is more convincing than an argument that stems from one’s opinions. However, his lack of counterarguments makes it difficult for the audience to relate.

Through out her book she continues to raise questions to make you think such as: “What does it mean to be a man?” and “What does it mean to be a woman?” In her circumstance she is a male to female transsexual who is also a lesbian, whose girlfriend actually ended up transitioning from female to male. And she raises the question, “What does all of this mean?” she also talks about those who define themselves as neither gender (Bornstein). Through her book she strives to make readers think about their life and the people around them. The overall questions she asks are: “What is Identity?” and “What is your identity?” She uses personal experience, stories, theories, political activist, television shows, and humor to back up her theories and arguments while continually raising questions about gender, orientation, desire, and why we as a society are so attached to a dualistic gender system. She does a great job of achieving her goal in teaching readers about the basics of the topic while making readers think.

A gender ideology is a “set of ideas widely shared by members of a society that guides identities, behaviors, and institutions” (Wade, et. al. 2015). Until Brandon’s sex was discovered, almost everyone that he interacted with daily believed that he was a male from birth. Nobody really questioned Brandon’s gender or sex because they believed that he exemplified the typical idea of a man. In the film, Brandon’s friends and ex-girlfriends all described him as a male based mostly on Brandon’s gender expression, looks, and hobbies. The people in the film all described how Brandon would wear clothes for men, sit with his legs open, and talk about girls and cars. Even Nissen’s sister described how one time her, Brandon, and others, were in a van and Brandon had to go to the bathroom and tried to pee out of a window. All of these factors made up the people who Brandon interacted with schemas about gender. Nobody ever thought about Brandon maybe being a female because their cultural lens, a male does everything Brandon does, so he is a male. This concept also shows up later in the film when Brandon was questioned by a woman about whether he was truly a male. The deciding factor for this woman on whether Brandon was a man or not, was determined by if he had a penis. This woman’s idea of a traditional man involved a penis; so if Brandon did not have one Brandon could not have been a man. However, the woman, because of her pre-existing conceptions, she did not think that maybe one does not need a penis to be a male. For example, disregarding transsexuals and transgendered people, a male could have been castrated, effectively removing his penis. However, just because his penis is gone, he is usually still seen as a male. Castration of males was done throughout history whether it was Chinese or Roman Slaves (Tougher 2013), or as a dedication to one’s religion

In the graphic novel Stuck Rubber Baby, the protagonist Toland Park deals with his own issues of sexual identity in the backdrop of the historical Kennedy years. His coming out story ties in a cast of supporting characters who supplement Toland’s odyssey. One especially important character is Ginger Raines, Toland’s first significant girlfriend. Toland’s journey hinges on his relationship with Ginger, for her character and her relationship with Toland symbolized what society — as well as Toland —considered normal at the time. It is not until he lives past his relationship with Ginger, that he completely and utterly realizes the genuineness of his homosexuality. Indeed, his relationship with Ginger is momentous, however, the psychological reasons that led Toland into this relationship, and the sociological factors that led him away from this relationship are equally as alluring. The cause of this relationship is the offspring of the values instilled into Toland both by his family and the cultural norms of the time. These norms consisted primarily of the idea of the nuclear family, the pervasive mindset of the time period. These contingencies were also paired with the burden of living up to societal norms. Ultimately, these led Toland to ultimately seek shelter in a heterosexual relationship, from the torment social ostracism.

The stereotypical labeling of genders can determine one person’s outlook on life. The judgment can make one feel like there is a set rubric to follow in order to remain in the lines regarding which gender they belong to. Such influences from peers or partners can alter

The inclusion of queer identities into mainstream cultural productions involve the cultural subordination of homosexuality to heterosexuality through the reconstitution of queerness in a hetero image. The Kids Are All Right and The Fosters contribute to this discourse of subordination by projecting heterosexual gender roles onto an otherwise queer relationship. Difference of heterosexual gender roles are conceived of a male/female binary. Where Nic and Jules, and Stef and Lena act out heterosexual roles of masculine and feminine, their relationships replicate heterosexual patterns and become structured in normative heterosexual terms (Hammock 2009). This differential is grafted into the character’s same-sex relationships in both productions,

Kathy Witterick (38) and David Stocker (39) are the parents of Jazz (5), Kio (2), and Storm; who is being raised genderless. Storm’s gender has not been disclosed to anyone other than their family. The family receives a lot of questions about the child’s gender but they just brush it off. This all started when Jazz, born a boy, decided he liked girlish items. Many have said they are leading their children’s lives to a life full of bullying and ridicule. Witterick and Stocker believe they are giving their children the freedom of being who they want to be.

The majority of the characters can be placed in distinct categories as they demonstrate different ways of thinking and reconciling their sexual and religious identities. All of the characters were originally religious but found different ways of reconciling their religious identity with their sexual identity. Some

In traditional Western society, sexuality is defined, what is considered normal is established. Although, the borders of normalcy are being stretched with gay rights, a straight, monogamous relationship is still what is expected. A traditional Western relationship is built by spending time with your partner and sex is a form of shared intimacy. In stark contrast to traditional Western culture, Tayo has multiple encounters with Native American women, which quickly lead to sex. To a traditional Western perspective, sex seems to function like a handshake throughout Ceremony, it is a social convention. At a glance, there seems to be no emotional aspect because of the limited time spent together, but upon closer inspection there is a deep kinship and intimacy that goes beyond time. The women Tayo meets are not just for sex, they help him complete the ceremony of self-realization by playing the role of a guide. For Tayo, sexuality is a fluid and multicultural idea; there is not a clear line between what is and what it is not. Illustrating the limitations of normalizing sexuality. Both characters highlight the false dichotomy created through the process of normalization.

This can also be seen in Season 1 when Maxxies best friend Anwar refuses to tell his parents about Maxxies sexuality due to their religious beliefs. We see that Maxxie is torn between who he is and whom Anwar wants him to be and this puts the friendship under great strain resulting in Maxxie refusing to turn up to Anwars party. “Gay adolescents who are more conventional in their gender characteristics have the option of passing as straight and many do.” (Op. cit. p. 461) This situation happens a lot in real life but can be the cause of many problems, both for the person dealing with feelings of homosexuality and hiding them and those around that person. Many people have reported having feelings of being ‘trapped within themselves’ and having pent up aggression due to being in such a situation, which isn’t hard to believe when we think that adolescence is when we discover ourselves sexually. “Adolescence involves the development of a sense of self and social identity independent of one’s parents (Erikson, 1968; Steinberg 2004). Answering questions about one’s sexuality figure centrally in this

In Max’s experience of being intersexed, Max suffered a subjective horror regarding his sex. Max was born with both genitalia, but upon the surgeon’s decision of removing Max’s male genital, he grew up facing dissonance between his gender and sexuality. He constantly felt discomfort when trying to start his relationships, often feeling something was wrong or off. When he found out his sex, he said that he was a monster. In contrast Max’s experience, Koh, rather than having an internal conflict in herself, chose to embrace who she was, a ladyboy. She believes that she does belong in the social constructs of gender, but rather suggesting that it makes no difference. She found a man she loves and is willing to get married even though she was a

During fieldwork, Davies found a new view of gender identity. She found not one, but five identities all within Indonesia. The following identities being calalai, calabai, bissu, bugiz, and missu. She found a deeper understanding within each of them leading to her appreaction of them. She not only learns about their lifestyles, but the story from where it all began. What made people choose these types of identities and why they chose to stick with it. Because people don’t just wake up and say” I’m going to be a clabai today”, there’s something behind it.

Throughout many countries around the world, homosexuality has always been subjected as a controversial matter. The societal attitudes towards the behavior of homosexuality vary substantially across Asia. Surprisingly, there are two conflicting attitudes toward homosexuality. Some Asian countries strongly condemn against homosexuality, whereas some Asian countries visibly accept homosexuality. Judith Butler explained that gender is represented as a stylized repetition of acts or imitation. She described the categories of sexuality and gender as a form of performativity (Butler 1996, 368). This essay will focus on China and South Korea and explore the experience of gender identity via to the socio-cultural contexts. This essay will also look