Gender on Forms
1978
I'm the brunette, transgender wife.
Lots of forms, especially in the military, require you to select sex or gender. This sometimes caused me to pause, but I just explained that away as something odd about me.
Did you ever wonder?
When I was very young, this didn’t mean anything to me, but there came a time, in 5th grade, when I was asked to come to the office. We were supposed to be going to see the circus as a school trip, and something was screwed up with my permission slip. My mom had signed the slip, and I had filled it out the next day, at school, before turning it in to my teacher. Apparently, I had indicated on the form that I was female.
Lots of forms, especially in the military, require you to select sex or gender. This sometimes caused me to pause, but I just explained that away as something odd about me.
Did you ever wonder?
When I was very young, this didn’t mean anything to me, but there came a time, in 5th grade, when I was asked to come to the office. We were supposed to be going to see the circus as a school trip, and something was screwed up with my permission slip. My mom had signed the slip, and I had filled it out the next day, at school, before turning it in to my teacher. Apparently, I had indicated on the form that I was female.
The lady in the office was amused. I got another copy, to
take home for my parents to sign. My mom grumped a bit but signed it, after making sure I filled it out correctly first. I
returned the form, and all was good.
As the school year continued, we were going to go to a sort
of park near us, that was a wetland. When it was time to do the permission
slip, I noticed I hesitated a bit when it was time to mark male or female.
Coming on the heels of the circus permission slip, I remember thinking how odd
it was that it gave me so much trouble.
In middle school and high school, more than once I marked female on a form. I thought sometimes that it might be some sort of learning disability, that I kept marking the incorrect spot.
I actually asked our family doctor about it. He said it was just foolishness.
Ah...but today?
In middle school and high school, more than once I marked female on a form. I thought sometimes that it might be some sort of learning disability, that I kept marking the incorrect spot.
I actually asked our family doctor about it. He said it was just foolishness.
Ah...but today?
Over the years, I have on multiple occasions hesitated,
strangely drawn to mark female on the form. Sometimes it was embarrassing., especially if someone noticed something was wrong. More
than once, I had to request a new form. But it was just an odd thing. Wasn’t
it?
Having the benefit of hindsight, I now understand that there was a real reason for my hesitation. Fast-forwarding to the present time, I am able to mark "female" on forms without concern, and it is automatic because that's who I am.
Having the benefit of hindsight, I now understand that there was a real reason for my hesitation. Fast-forwarding to the present time, I am able to mark "female" on forms without concern, and it is automatic because that's who I am.
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