Gender Assumptions

December 20, 2022

I’m sitting in a new-to-me restaurant that serves both Olaf characters and people dressed in costume. And I’m doing some reflecting.

Here is what I am actively working to get better at right now.

I’m working to stop making gender assumptions.

Assumptions based on stereotypes about how people look. How people dress. How people style their hair. How people accessorize. How people speak. How people move their body.

Because anyone can wear their hair long. Or short. Or shoulder-length.

Anyone can wear ties or flannels or jams or Olaf costumes.

Anyone can have piercings and tattoos and jewelry and make-up.

I’m working to stop making gender assumptions.

Because people I love get misgendered. And I see how it hurts them.

Because I have misgendered people and I recognize the hurt I can cause.

So I’m working to get better at seeing people for who they are - people. And refraining from quick assumptions and judgement.

I mess up. And I keep on trying.

I will keep messing up. And I will keep on trying.