This week’s reading talked about the non-binary experience and what it means to be gender non-comforting. In this piece of literature, the author’s perspective is essential to the reader. The author is delivering a nonbinary person’s view on what said identity means in a world where nonbinary voices are often shut out. Vaid- Menon expresses this concern that gender noncoforming individuals have their experiences talked about by people outside of the community rather than people engage with members of the community to discuss first hand. 

  Moreover, they say “Our existence is made into a matter of opinion, as if our genders are debatable and not just who we are.” This lack of support in a person’s life creates an unbearable toxicity that leads to detrimental effects. The author delivers terrifying statistics saying that, “40 percent of trans and gender noncomforming people have attempted suicide” (42). Perhaps the binary is easier to understand and that is why most people see individuals as either men or women. Vaid- Menon tries to get us to understand that just because the traditional western approach is convenient does not mean it is the only truth. 

  In efforts to combat the possibility that there’s more than two genders, many arguments are made for the binary. The arguments are largely based around power and control or rather in an effort to maintain it. Vaid- Menon explains that most arguments fall into one of these categories- dismissal, inconvenience, biology and the slippery slope.

  Lastly, the author makes a brutally honest point. “Often critics of gender no conforming people are more concerned with the conception of life than they are with the care and social structures needed to sustain it” (52). This means that most critics are always so adamant about their beliefs regarding other’s lives but at the end of the day seldom do they care to make sure that person is physically, mentally, and emotionally well enough to stay alive. This proves to be true when you look at how many trans and lgbt people are homeless and living in poverty.

  One of my classmates, Sadira Mohammed, tells a story about their younger sibling and confusion with gender. Sadira made really good points that gender and sex dont always align and labels can be frivolous. However, I’d like to point out that while the lack of labels may be liberating for some, labels also can be empowering. Many individuals take pride in the label they associate with especially lgbt+ members. This is often because it takes courage to be comfortable with an identity that for so many is not acceptable. Regardless, whether we choose to label ourselves or not, we should be respectful of how we approach one another.

  Isabella also shared an interesting post about how gender does not define what someone can wear. I really agree with this statement and to add onto it I think it’s interesting how in recent years, we as a society have made strong strides in understanding that. For example, the MET Gala just happened and a few celebrities wore outfits that are not traditional for their gender. Pete Davidson wore a skirt and looked great!