Perspective is as diverse as the observer. Each individual is unique on to themself. And with that said consciousness also tends to group with like perspectives attracting like. Thus we have Tennis Clubs, Christian bookstores, and Alcoholics Anonymous. Gender and Sexuality are no different. Those of like mind tend to socialize together with each person adding their own unique perspective.
Gender Identity is one’s own personal, inner perspective of who they are in terms of gender, i.e. man, woman, or other. Gender is best described as a spectrum or scale. Just as a rainbow has many colors, shades and grades so does gender. This also works for sexual orientation, while physical sex is more concrete, however even this is a spectrum too. Human beings are complex creatures indeed!
When a child is born the doctor looks between the legs and declares male, female or gee I don’t know! It is not till DNA chromosome and other medical testing is done does the doctor know if the child is truly male, female or intersex. The external genitalia are sometimes ambiguous, or not fully developed. The genetic, physical and mental traits this child is born with are the filter through which they see the world – their perspective! As this child grows into adulthood the filter is constantly being shaped and polished by the world. The amazing fact is that it is less the world outside this person that shapes them than it is the individual’s responses, reactions, and thoughts.
The important factor to understand and always remember is that each person is individual and offers something unique to every situation. It is your job as an individual to listen and learn who this person is and then honor them for the uniqueness they represent. Accept them for their perspective and refrain from pushing yours on them. This is a free will society so you are certainly free to offer your perspective and in fact you are obligated to do so, however whether and what others do with this perspective is entirely up to them.
Some may see you as a crossdressing gay male, others as transgender woman, all while you identify as a transsexual. Others may simply think that you are crazy. Each person will see you as they choose and understand. This does not change who you are, although it may have you questioning who you are, which is a good thing, because part of the human experience is constantly questioning reality.
One last point here is groups that think alike can sometimes have beliefs that seem opposed to other groups. If some believe that chromosomes and genitalia determine a person’s gender then it is their right to believe that. It is other group’s obligation to share their perspective so that each individual can more intelligently determine which group they are aligned with. This is not about right or wrong, because that does not exist. It is about expressing individual uniqueness in a way that is constructive to the greater whole of society and life on earth. We all know that variety is the spice of life!
🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth
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