Pronouns
They
Identifies as
Gender-neutral
Neighborhood
Western suburbs
Life's work
"My life's work is raising a child that understands and is sensitive to gender-variant people. She identifies as female (and robot, which I love). She sometimes asks me to use different pronouns and understands that gender is something that is beyond pink and blue (I am from Mexico, and it can be difficult to have a family so entrenched in the idea of gender as a binary). As a girl, she refuses to be pegged as a princess. She loves super-heroes, her favorite color is blueand gets a lot of grief for it at school. She is also experimenting with make-up, and likes to wear dresses, but of course, no one says anything."
Hobbies
"I love to write, paint, draw, and volunteer. I am a politics dork, so I volunteered for my candidate of choice. (Hint: not Mitt Romney)."
Do you have a coming out story?
"My coming out story is ongoing. I am not particularly queer looking, much to my chagrin. A friend of mine posted something about being disappointed at being perceived as cisgender on Facebook. It was nice to see other people facing that same issue. I am often told that I don't look like I'm 'like that.' I feel that sometimes I have to work a little harder for my 'queer cred.'"
Do you consider yourself an activist?
"Yes! I volunteer for organizations that support my causes: labor rights, marriage equality, a woman's right to choose ... ."
What do you think are the most important issues facing trans/gender-variant communities?
"Legislation guaranteeing our safety and equality in the workplace and at schools. Emotional support, and understanding medical staff. I had an awful experience last year. I had to go for a gynecological exam, and the doctor was someone I had never seen. She asked me about birth control and I said I didn't need one, as my then girlfriend and I didn't engage in that kind of intercourse. I explained to her that my girl was transgender, talked to her about my gender identity, and she seemed to be understanding. When she did my exam, she was really rough, and she hurt me. I wasn't sure what to do, and when I called the next day to ask who had given me my exam, I was told that I was on record as having missed my appointment. So the idea that I might have over-reacted was no longer an option. I was sore for three days and terrified for much longer."
Photo courtesy of Hernandez
To nominate a person for T in the life, email: Kate Sosin sosin@windycitytimes.com