Hey there :) You might wonder why this project is completely white and empty now. The reason is that I recently went through this project and realized that the explanations are, at least in my opinion, not that good. I have temporary removed everything from the project to avoid that my project, which aims to be a qualitative source to educate, is causing the contrary. Thanks for your understanding :) - Mickey Instead, you can check out my other informative platformers for the first time: https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/31961099/ :)
➥ Summarized explanation of xenogenders and my opinions on them: Someone using a xenogender ~does not~ identify themselves as the object etc it portrays, but that object merely serves as a kind of metaphor to describe their gender identity. Gender roles and stereotypes evoke certain associations in us - whether that's good or bad, it's just a fact - such as certain objects, colors, behaviors or a certain charisma that we associate with a certain (binary) gender. So the following applies: ⠀Gender => association. But what if we reversed that principle? ⠀Association => gender. That means we simply describe a gender by using an association that comes in our mind due to certain gender roles. Actually, that's a bit similar to other, non-xenic nonbinary genders; by deciding whether a certain cliché applies to one or not, you always intend to describe your identity. Moreover, I do agree that it can be difficult to understand or even be questionable how a person can describe their identity through a certain object etc, but: 1. Where would you like to be able to arbitrarily draw the line between valid and invalid? It is undeniable that a person is usually best at assessing their own, singular experiences. Just let them take their responsibility themselves. 2. Even if you don't understand something: as long as it doesn't harm anyone - i.e., among other things, that the xenogender doesn't portray anything harmful - why shouldn't one at least accept it? One doesn't have to support it, but it would be highly appreciated - and not difficult at all - to simply let the person do. Finally, there are certainly some people who - intentionally or unintentionally - misuse a xenogender as an aesthetic. This is arguably problematic and detrimental, not just for the person using it themselves, but for the community as a whole, as it downplays other people's real experiences. Even if a gender might sound cool or has a nice flag: you should not misuse it as an aesthetic. And if you assume that someone else does, please don't go fighting them either, because maybe they don't know that what they do is wrong. Just kindly try explaining what your concern is or ignore them and let them discover their identity how they want - which is actually harmless in the first place - plus take responsibility for themselves. That's exactly what I do as the host of the Xenogender Hangout, who doesn't identify with any xenogender herself, but supports people who use any nonbinary gender labels correctly, in her role as protector with an endeavored neutral point. :) ➥ Nonbinary/Transgender in general: The sexes female and male exist. (Yes, intersex does too) They always will and there's no sense in changing that, even if it was possible. Actually, the only "problem" in these sexes aren't those themselves, but the historical and current discrimination as well as the urge within society to assume certain roles based on one's gender. Women aren't worse at work than men or intended to become a housewife, girl's needn't be shy while boys aren't supposed to like playing with cars and men don't have to be unemotional or whatever. It's absolutely fine not to want to be representing those stereotypes. I don't want either, though I still identify as AFAB female. Other people may decide to call themselves nonbinary when they don't feel comfortable with either of those two stereotypes or transgender if they prefer one of them. Theoretically, it's way easier to have and show "typically female" characteristics when other people think you're a woman and vice versa - otherwise, you may be not understood or even bullied and discriminated against being who you are. But: isn't society the actual problem, then? Isn't changing one's gender label the same as adapting to the society? Shouldn't the society be changed instead of oneself? Don't get me wrong, I am totally fine with people labeling themselves as they want. I don't see any problem in doing that, while I'm the opinion that the whole gender debate is exaggerated. Just let people do; it's not their fault that our society also has negative influences; and I think one should decide by themselves whether they use language emphasizing different identities or not. One can - theoretically - do everything they want, one's gender doesn't limit or force into certain roles. Let's remember that not only for trans and nonbinary people, but also for women, men, girls and boys - for everyone.
