Little tippy toes through the many years growing up; the gender lines blurred – getting called by the aunts as “my little girl”; wearing the high heels of mom’s oversized shoes, getting decked up in the fancy dresses of big sister, or the lipsticks savagely adoring one’s lips – the pre-schooler years have ever been so endearing, tolerant and non-judgemental.
For those not fitting the traditional male stereotypes, bullying is the daily reality to which Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer (LGBTQ) kids are attuned to.
During the adolescent years, especially in all-boys’ schools, the rhetoric is harsh; patriarchal, violent, abusive! Behaviours which were once tolerated and which adults would dote upon, classmates and the “older boys” would find queer!
Being soft, different, obedient; and the so many traits deemed by the toxic masculinity and patriarchy to be “feminine”; gay, bisexual and trans kids are oft left to the calloused hands of their classmates. For those not fitting the traditional male stereotypes, bullying is the daily reality to which Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer (LGBTQ) kids are attuned to.
The inequalities and struggles for equal wage, equal access to work, to have a voice in a democratic society, the right to body autonomy and being seen and treated as equals, which have been long sought by women; today, LGBTQ people are fighting against these same inequalities.
On this 08 March 2021, the world is celebrating the International Women’s Day having for theme “Choose to Challenge”. Choosing to Challenge also means challenging the concept of gender; gender related inequalities; and male authority and dominance. In so, it means recognising that LGBTQ people are also the victims when it comes to gender inequalities and discriminations. Sadly, the gender discourse and advocacy from women-led organisations, if ever at all, rarely accurately represent LGBTQ issues which are intersectional with gender issues.
The inequalities and struggles for equal wage, equal access to work, to have a voice in a democratic society, the right to body autonomy and being seen and treated as equals, which have been long sought by women; today, LGBTQ people are fighting against these same inequalities. As we celebrate this International Women’s Day, let us again be reminded that gender issues are inasmuch relevant to LGBTQ people.
Fokeerbux N.A.
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