55 upvotes, 3 direct replies (showing 3)
View submission: Do non-binary identities reenforce gender stereotypes?
I interact with a lot of teens at work. I'm European and wear more form fitting clothes. A few of them now have commented that skinny jeans should not be worn by men/boys, but if I were queer or non-binary, they'd have no problem with it. Thus, instead of expanding their idea of what's possible for men, to them, I'd have to change my actual gender expression for them to accept my own self-expression. IMO, this is not progress.
Comment by mcbriza at 12/01/2025 at 09:00 UTC
26 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Exactly. I don’t understand how the progressive stance has become “yes, actually stereotypes *are* a meaningful way to categorize yourself and others” instead of, you know, challenging the stereotype.
Comment by dreagonheart at 12/01/2025 at 11:24 UTC
5 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You're taking teenagers' understanding of a concept as your basis for whether or not it makes sense? Teenagers OFTEN misunderstand the ideals that they support. The vast, vast majority of nonbinary people and allies advocate for dismantling gender stereotypes and roles, supporting the idea that anyone should be able to dress how they like, act how they like, etc., without it being seen as a comment on their gender.
Comment by ooros at 12/01/2025 at 09:41 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I've been deeply involved with friend groups that were majority nonbinary for over ten years, and this is not how anyone has talked. Those people you've spoken to are small-minded and judgemental, and they're pushing a gender issue that doesn't have to exist.
Everyone I know is firm that nothing describes your gender except you. I know people who move through the world while fully assumed to be women by everyone else, and despite this they personally feel unaligned with that gender. What others think or feel about their self expression doesn't matter, because they and the people who care for them respect their identity.
A man can wear a dress every day and still be a man, a nonbinary person can wear a dress every day and still be nonbinary. What matters is respecting people and not caring about choices that have no impact on our own lives.