Ho boy...
Appearance through Gender and Sexuality. Tough subject to write about. I don't think that I'll be doing much application of this to myself, however.
Ah, what makes us recognize a person as male or female when we cannot see their... well, their... plumbing?? (Good grief -- have I stooped to that cliche?) There are the secondary sexual characteristics, and when linked with the classic sexual "Identity Kit," we are pretty certain whether a person is male or female.
My mind travels back to the first time I saw "Crocodile Dundee". Specifically, two scenes. In the bar, when Dundee and the cab driver are sharing a drink, Dundee is approached by someone who he believes is a woman. He treats this individual with the same respect and chivalry that he has displayed toward other women to whom he has been introduced. The cab driver, in a rather "hammered" way, reveals the reality of the situation to Dundee when he explains that this individual is a man. Dundee is shocked and bewildered, confused that a man would have the apparent secondary sex characteristics and "Identity Kit" of a woman.
Hmmm... Let's see now. Breasts and hips - check. High-pitched voice - check. Shorter and lighter in frame - double check. All the secondary characteristics check out. Now, let's work on the "Identity Kit." Make-up - check. Long, styled hair - Oh yeah, baby. Skirt and heels - that's it, that's a BABE! Not so fast, Dundee... give the plumbing the once over. OOPS, not so -- mister, get a haircut and a new "dresser."
Later, Dundee attends a high-class, aristocratic party. Sweet Sue wants to introduce him to one of her very dear friends. This one's a bit confusing. Check it out. ... Rather flat chested and narrow hipped, deep voice, and somewhat taller and heavier framed. That's gotta be a man, but the classic sexual "Identity Kit" is all wrong. Dundee is expecting short hair, trousers, and no make-up. Instead, he gets hair pulled up on top of this individual's head, a dress, long, formal gloves, makeup and heels. Time for a "plumbing check." With a smile reflecting his satisfactory identification, he announces, "Just checking."
This is not something that most of us have to go through, but we may be faced with this dilemma, unexpectedly.
My mind travels back even farther to an experience which I had when living in Houston, Texas. Once, traveling through the Montrose neighborhood, with a friend who was a fireman stationed there, I saw a handsome couple waiting to cross the street. The young man had on his arm a particularly lovely young lady, and someone in the car mentioned how pretty she was. We were informed, by the fireman, who had worked there, long enough to know, that this was a man, dressed like a woman.
*Sigh* I don't have anything against transvestites, transsexuals, or drag queens. My questions are these -- if there was no sexual "Identity Kit," would there be sexual honesty? Would there be emotional blackmail? Would there be emotional stability? I can't answer these questions.
I can only say for myself that I'm with you, Dundee.
