I was surprised we were both recieved well by others!
In response to this, my cousin's public written comment:
Please explain why a lesbian or a butch one rather acts like a MAN which she, is not and wants a feminine lesbian? Also why the hell do gay dudes act like WOMEN? If you are gay why act so damn confused? Maybe they all need a lesson in nature, penis+v...agina=baby. I'm pretty sure that equation isn't true any other way.
I responded with this, my public written comment:
Because anatomy is not the same thing as identity. Everyone with two arms acts differently. Everyone with breast acts differently as well. Gender confuses most people because of the historical belief that biology determines identity/behaviors/interests. It's no different from someone being confused that a black skinned person don't like rap or plays golf instead of basketball.
Social expectations of behaviors and appearances are not the same as nature's expectations. For instance, many people might observe that dogs will hump dogs of all sexes in spite of the human construction of sexual identities. Further, social interactions are like performances. They're performances based on social expectations. So people purposely greet others with hello because it is socially expected and not because it is natural to greet another human being. Therefore, "acting like a man" is just that: an act. Anybody can act out a role. Problems occur when someone acts differently than expected.
For instance, problems arise when a person doesn't greet another with "hello", when a black skinned person plays golf, or when a biological female gives a male performance.
Most importantly, power, privilege, and oppression are dished out through performances. Women giving a male performance in the workplace will not receive equal pay with male co-workers; instead she will be called a "bitch" and experience hostility that might cost her her job. Likewise, a male giving a female performance in public might experience physical violence or threats. Societies/cultures apply oppressive pressure for everyone to play their expected performances. Black men should not be highly educated, because it is not socially expected. Instead, they should be criminal and uneducated because it maintains white privilege and power. If a black man goes against this expected performance he might experience hostility from whites AND blacks.
Identities are confusing when one is rigidly tied to the belief that people are "supposed" to act a certain way based on anatomy, skin color, disability, age, or other physical traits.
Sorry to make such long posts, but your question related to identity, culture, and social justice which are research interests of mine. I love you cuz. Peace and Blessings.