I Pronouns: Humanizing Decolonial Gender Relations

Alonso Pea
Gender dimorphism/binary gender is the idea that there are only two distinct
genders (male and female) and that they are diametrically opposed to one another.
The creation of western man required human/non-human binaries and dimorphic
gender to categorize and hierarchize bodies, knowledge, institutions and relations.
(Lugones)
To resist biopolitical, hierarchical, and oppressive relations, we must engage a praxis
of alliance (Butler) which humanizes along the spectrum of identities.
 Gender dimorphism produces dysphoria for trans* folks because within a
strictly binary system of gender, trans* people do not exist.

Photo Credit: popbebop.com

 Gender Dimorphism is normalized and manifests various forms of violence against
trans* people including increased risk of homelessness, institutional discrimination,
and suicide.

Photo Credit: milwaukeepride Photo Credit: Glen Coco via Twitter

In conclusion, in order to humanize along the spectrum of identities, it is
important to resist gender dimorphism.

Some ways to avoid gender dimorphism include

1) Avoid assuming someones pronouns. Use gender neutral pronouns if
you are uncertain.
2) Resist essentializing assumptions about gender. There is not one way to
be a man or a woman.
3) Stop reducing everything down to male and female (e.g. using
brother/sister as an example of kinship relations)
4) Question the ways that gender has ben normalized, and consider how
we can open up space to decolonize gender.
What other ways can we decolonize gender and
recognize each others humanity more fully?
THANK YOU!
WORKS CITED

Butler, Judith. Bodies in Alliance and the Politics of the Street. Traversal #occupy and assemble (2011):
http://eipcp.net/transversal/1011/butler/en/print.
Dabashi, Hamid. Brown Skin, White Masks. New York, NY: Pluto Press, 2011.
Lugones, Maria. Toward a Decolonial Feminism. Hypatia 25, no. 4 (2010): 742-759.