Move Over, Gender Binary! | Tyler Ford | What’s Underneath
Our new What’s Underneath episode presents Miley Cyrus muse,Rookie writer, and agender warrior Tyler Ford. Getting down to their American Eagle briefs, Tyler takes on all of the BS of society’s gender binary as they tells about their journey from female (Tyler’s assigned gender at birth) to male to a non-binary human being.
Here are some of the empowering truths that Tyler’s video brings to the forefront:
THE DEVALUATION OF GIRLS STARTS RIGHT AWAY (1:30 – 2:29):
“In middle school, the only viable social currency was to dress as a girly girl. If the boys didn’t think you were hot, you were nothing, so I taught myself how to be a girl. I idolized Jessica Simpson and watched Newlyweds over and over again.”SOMETIMES TRANSITIONING ISN’T THE ANSWER (4:26 – 5:59)
“I wasn’t connecting with being on testosterone or living life as a guy. I didn’t know what my future would look as non-binary person. It took maybe a year to solidify my identity and find a label that fit me, which is agender, and my pronouns are they, them, and their.”ASEXUALITY IS COMPLICATED (6:30 – 6:57):
“There are asexuals, like myself, who enjoy having sex but don’t often have it because the foundation for the action doesn’t really exist (which is a very complicated thing).”WESTERN CULTURE FETISHIZES AND DEMEANS BLACK PEOPLE’S HAIR (7:01 – 7:35):
“Growing up, the white kids in my class made fun of my hair. When I was eight, I started to chemically straighten my hair so I could look more like them. But I have come to love and appreciate my hair. It’s very me.”
These Black Trans Couples’ Stories Tug At Our Heartstrings
The couples speak to the daily experience of living at the crossroads of being black and identifying as LGBT. Together or separate, these two groups carry the burden of societal implications that stem from ignorance and assumptions. Milan shares that his mother was fearful that he would not find love – a common concern among loved ones of those in the trans community, he said.
Watch the full video and you’ll really believe in true love after hearing from these black trans couples.
Beautiful video about black transgender love
“Black transgender people live in extreme poverty with 34% reporting a household income of $10,000 or less, over eight times the general population rate - National Black Justice Coalition” via Deviant Phoenix
