Pronouns, Gender, and You! GenderExplorers 2014-08-13 | Pronouns: the things we use to refer to people in the third person (that aren't their names). As an added bonus, they act as linguistic markers of people's gender identities, so they're PRETTY FREAKING IMPORTANT.Two rules that will generally keep you from inadvertently offending people:1. RESPECT PEOPLE'S PRONOUNS.2. ALWAYS ASK; DON'T ASSUME.There's also a super quick rundown of a bunch of pre-existing pronoun options. Of course, you can always mix and match, combine them, switch between them, or use no pronouns whatsoever! There's not enough time to talk about everything, so please ask questions in the comments—they make Michael happy.Wikipedia article on gender neutral pronouns:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_neutral_pronounsPretty comprehensive list of gender neutral pronouns throughout history (some facetious):http://www.english.illinois.edu/-people-/faculty/debaron/essays/epicene.htm
What Marriage Equality Means for Transgender People GenderExplorers 2015-07-08 | Given the United States Supreme Court's recent decision to legalize same-sex marriage across the country, we figured it would be worthwhile to let people know about what that means for transgender people. And to let people know about what other protections trans people still need. If we missed anything (and of course we did), list stuff in the comments below. Thanks for watching!Maps showing rights/protections for LGBTQ people by state: http://www.hrc.org/state_maps
Trans Characters in Video Games GenderExplorers 2015-02-13 | Video games don't have a great track record of treating trans characters with respect, but things are starting to look up.Here are the links:http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2013/11/03/7-trans-friendly-video-game-charactershttp://kotaku.com/5848491/why-gamings-most-famous-transgender-character-remains-a-controversial-topicThis last link has the video in case you want to watch the scenes I mention from Dragon Age:http://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-bioware-created-dragon-age-inquisition-s-trans/1100-6424014
Why People Use Labels (If They Want To) GenderExplorers 2015-02-04 | In this week's instalment of Gender Explorers, Michael haphazardly wanders through the realm of labels! Of course, we can't cover everything in one video, so there may be a part two. Eventually…
Binaries, and Why They Suck GenderExplorers 2015-01-15 | The world seems to love binaries, and boy is that the worst.Sorry about whatever happened with the sound at the beginning of the video, I can't seem to fix it but it stops happening after the first 30 seconds. Also, no I don't just have a weird cardboard rectangle on my wall. My poster fell down.
Gendered Language GenderExplorers 2015-01-09 | In which Michael get's particular about the way we use gender in our language. Know of any examples I missed and helpful alternatives? Leave them in comments!
Transphobia and Cissexism in the Queer Community GenderExplorers 2014-12-31 | Occasionally the LGB parts of the queer community forget about the T.
Transgender Hierarchy GenderExplorers 2014-12-10 | Unfortunately, there is a hierarchy in the trans community. This is a problem because people near the top of the hierarchy sometimes exclude the people further down, and the people towards the bottom of the hierarchy are often treated with less respect than they deserve. This is the general hierarchy that I've observed amongst trans and gender nonconforming folks, although it's not based in any sort of rigorous research.As always, if you have any questions or corrections, leave them in the comments below!
Gender Normativity, Man GenderExplorers 2014-12-03 | In which I explain gender normativity and why it's bad.
Medical Transition Overview GenderExplorers 2014-11-19 | In which Michael desperately tries to mention everything about all the various medical procedures potentially involved in transitions. And fails. Spectacularly.If you want to know more, please do your own research, talk to a medical professional, or ask questions in the comments. This is just a very brief overview, and it may not be wholly accurate or applicable to your situation (or the situation of anyone you know). If you have corrections, please leave those in the comments as well. Thanks!
Packing 101 GenderExplorers 2014-11-05 | A how-to all about packers! Topics covered include: different kinds of packers, where to get a packer, how to wear a packer, and more. Also, sorry about the J.J. Abrams lens flare on my face.
Michaels Coming Out Story GenderExplorers 2014-10-30 | Somewhat different from Xander's. There's really too much to tell in six minutes or so, but you get the highlights, I guess.
Xanders Coming Out Story GenderExplorers 2014-10-22 | Here's the bulk of my coming out story, or at least the most interesting parts.(Sorry about the late video, I was having technical difficulties.)
What to Do If Someone Comes out to You GenderExplorers 2014-10-15 | So someone just came out to you. What do you do? How do you respond? What's the best way to make the experience as comfortable for them as possible? We've got a few tips for you here; they've served us well in the past and we hope they serve you well in the future. Feel free to add your own in the comments!I just realized that telling the person you love and support them isn't in the video. I guess I forgot about that because it seemed obvious, but it should still be in there. Sorry about that. TELL PEOPLE YOU LOVE AND SUPPORT THEM!
Coming Out: How to Do It Safely GenderExplorers 2014-10-08 | In honor of National Coming Out Day (October eleventh), we're going to post a month's worth of videos about coming out. First of all, we want to share with all of you a few tips for coming out safely to people. It's totally okay to come out, and it's totally okay to NOT come out. It's okay to come out in person or over the phone or via email. What's most important is that you feel safe and comfortable while sharing your identity with others. There are an infinite number of ways to come out to people, and our advice may not make sense for you. Please take care of yourself, and have a happy National Coming Out Day!
Bathrooms Suck GenderExplorers 2014-10-01 | Bathrooms are no fun, so here's some advice for dealing with them. As a bonus, you get to hear how me have a hard time saying "gender neutral."Here are the helpful links I mention:http://www.refugerestrooms.orghttp://safe2pee.wordpress.com/bathroom-resources
No One Is Obligated to Educate Anyone GenderExplorers 2014-09-24 | There is a general sense that people who are different from what is "normal" are obligated to educate everyone around them on their identity, experience, community, etc. This is NOT the case!Here at Gender Explorers, we're more than happy to answer people's questions, so this video isn't to break up with you. We just want folks to know that not everyone will want to answer their questions—and that's okay!
Questions You Shouldnt Ask Trans People GenderExplorers 2014-09-17 | A list of questions you shouldn't ask trans people. Unless they're us. Just be nice to each other, guys.
Brimming with Testosterone GenderExplorers 2014-09-10 | We share our experiences being on testosterone (T for short) and some of the effects we've seen. There are too many changes we've gone through to list them all in the video, but maybe someday we'll make a more comprehensive list. Everyone's experiences on T will be different—different things will happen at different rates—but we hope these will at least inform you of some of the possibilities out there.Apologies for the spontaneous break last week. Neither of us had reliable internet, and Michael just started work. Thanks for watching!
Did You Mess up Someones Preferred Pronoun? GenderExplorers 2014-08-27 | Sometimes, no matter how savvy we are or how much we care, we accidentally call someone by the wrong name or pronoun. This can be particularly harmful and upsetting to trans and gender nonconforming people, so it's important to handle the situation appropriately. In my own experience, I've found it's best to quickly and calmly apologize, correct yourself, and then keep going—without ignoring the mistake and without causing a scene.I'm sorry for the late video; I'm still moving and we don't have internet at our new place yet. Also, I'm starting my new job and I've been so busy I kind of forgot. Thanks for watching!
Binding 101 GenderExplorers 2014-08-20 | Also known as: How Not to Do All the Things Michael Did.Methods of binding, places to get binders, things you definitely shouldn't do...it's a mildly uncomfortable extravaganza!
Trans People in Media GenderExplorers 2014-08-05 | The good and bad of appearances of trans people and trans characters on TV, in movies, and in the news.Here's the link to the GLAAD information I reference: http://www.glaad.org/publications/victims-or-villains-examining-ten-years-transgender-images-television
Whats Under the Transgender Umbrella? GenderExplorers 2014-07-29 | This week, we define ten common identity terms that fall under the transgender umbrella. This is just a brief introduction—we could do an entire video on each word alone, and there are countless more words that we didn't have time to include.Words in the video: transgender (trans, trans*), transsexual, MtF and FtM, intersex, crossdresser/crossdressing, genderqueer, bigender, agender (and neutrois), Two-Spirit, and third gender.Please bear in mind that these words can be very personal for people, and individuals might consider them to have slightly different meanings than the ones we've elaborated on here. It's always better to ask than to assume, and when someone's identity is concerned, respect the terminology they choose to use!
Gender Explorers: Introductions GenderExplorers 2014-07-22 | Welcome to Gender Explorers, a channel where the two of us will be talking about trans and gender non-conforming topics, as well as other issues relating to gender and sexuality. This is just a brief introduction of who we are, and we hope to see you every week for a new video!
