Gender what?

I said genderqueer. (Insert puzzled look on face). Oh, genderqueer...what does that mean?

I don't mind the questions, just the puzzled looks. Pull it together people. What does my identification of genderqueer mean to me? I have no problem explaining that when it is asked with tact.

I feel I encompass both genders. (Insert the puzzled look). See, I don't feel entirely female nor do I feel entirely male. Androgynous, I am not. I exhibit both genders at different times.

Ah. That is what genderqueer means. No. It is what genderqueer means to me.

Feel free to ask me questions but don't judge me with your face as you do.

I am proudly masculine and proudly feminine. I am a genderqueer individual dating a woman. I am not straight, I am not a lesbian. I am an in-betweenie. Careful. Don't want to fuck with your mind too much.

Call me sir. Don't call me ma'am. First, I am not that old. Second, drop the binary language all together. And if you do fuck up and call me sir, please don't start apologizing for it like a fool. You are making things worse. Let it pass. Learn next time it is unnecessary to ask me if I need water and tacking a "Sir" at the end. Yes, I would like some water. Now leave me alone.

I must be bitter. I have to admit this is strange to me. Facing all this new discrimination. It's happening all over again.

Which bathroom? I stop dead in my tracks trying to decide. Either way the population in the restroom will challenge me. What are you doing in here? Get out. Um, I will not sit here and try to prove to you that I am just trying to urinate. Leave me alone.

And tolerance. Abolish the word. Please, don't waste your time tolerating me. Move towards acceptance, love, kindness, understanding, and empathy. Move away from judgement and betrayal.

At the end of the day, remember I am not defined by my sexuality nor my gender. My name is Liz. Nice to meet you too.