I know that, being a woman, people like to stick labels on me.
Lately, I’ve noticed a load media coverage of the whole trans/gender-identity community, the laws regarding them, and public opinions on the topic. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love that we’re finally pulling our heads out of our asses and allowing people to be who they want, and do what they want.
I don’t care if you want to have sex or be in a relationship with men or women or both or nobody or everybody. I don’t care if you identify as a man, woman, both, or neither. Figure out what makes you happy and do it. If you’re a nice person, we’re cool. Because of all this coverage, there’s been an emphasis on supporting “underrepresented groups” and minorities, which, again, I’m cool with.
I’ve recently been invited into a group for underrepresented groups and minorities. While I like getting a leg up wherever I can, I kind of resent being stuck with the underrepresented minority sticker. I resent this for a few reasons.
Firstly, I’m only a woman. I don’t mean “only” as a diminutive; I mean that I don’t consider being female as some sort of handicap. I don’t think it’s fair to the ACTUAL underrepresented minorities to have someone who is only a woman claim to be underrepresented. I’m white, CIS, 99% straight, and I come from an understanding family in a first-world country. I’ve got things decently good. Nobody wants to kill or incarcerate me because of who I am. I don’t feel as though I have to pretend to be someone or something I’m not to get by in general society.
Secondly, I resent that people think that, STILL, after all these years, that I should feel handicapped by the fact that I’m a woman. Being a woman isn’t a disability, and, as far as I can tell, women make up half the population, give or take a few people. Half isn’t a minority.
Thirdly, I’m really sick of all these labels. I’m not part of a minority. I’m a human. Last I checked, there were over seven BILLION of us. You aren’t trans; you’re human. You’re not asexual; you’re human. You aren’t a label. You’re a human being. Stop making yourself into a label, and just BE. You aren’t identified by your gender or sexual identity or your skin color or anything else. You’re just a person.
I’m not a minority; I’m human. If you’re reading this, so are you.