If one does not make an ego out of gender, one would still know whether one is a man or a woman, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender–whatever else we may think of. But those identities need to fit very loosely and be worn very lightly. All sense of privilege or deprivation that has developed around one’s gender identity, all rigidity regarding proper roles and behaviors for the various genders, must be cut through. Rita M. Gross
About This Quote

A gender identity is a deep sense of being male or female, or something in between. Gender identity is not about what you do or don’t do. It’s about who you are and who you feel you are. A person’s gender identity is an innate part of their personality and is much more important than their sexual orientation.

When people say “gender identity,” they usually mean “gender identity disorder,” which is a term that pathologizes and stigmatizes the feelings and behaviors of many transgender people. The idea that we need to change our gender identities in order to be happy and healthy, and that we should feel like we have done something wrong if we aren’t the “right kind of woman” or “the right kind of man,” is an unhealthy conception of gender.

Some Similar Quotes
  1. I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best. - Marilyn Monroe

  2. You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth. - William W. Purkey

  3. This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like... - Marilyn Monroe

  4. When someone loves you, the way they talk about you is different. You feel safe and comfortable. - Jess C. Scott

  5. Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears." After all this time?"" Always, " said Snape. - J.k. Rowling

More Quotes By Rita M. Gross
  1. The worldly life means a market place of sensual pleasures. Worldly life means false (temporary) happiness all the time. And moksha (liberation) means permanent happiness all the time.

  2. Believing happiness to be in the eternal thing is called the enlightened vision (samkit).

  3. There is no happiness in what worldly people believe happiness in, there is happiness in what Gnani [the enlightened one] believes the happiness in. What people regard as happiness is not happiness.

  4. Depression arises when one uses his power and authority. Whatever authority there is, it is there for giving happiness to others. Authority is to give happiness to others, even to those who are guilty of doing wrong.

  5. Many people suffer great miseries but if you ask them in front of others, 'you went through great difficulty, didn't you?', then they will respond, 'no, no I didn't have any suffering'. Then they feel happy. So what kind of ‘egoism’ should one do? During...

Related Topics