Gender Stereotypes? Really?

Who would have "thunk" it? It seems the "pink and blue" has been around since the cavemen. In fact, that is not the case at all.
According to an article in the "Record Gazette" . "Erin Steele" tells us just how special we used to be "back in the day."
Way back in the day as a matter of fact.
There is anthropological evidence from early North American native tribal cultures that there were three genders: the male, the female and the male-female, called the two-spirit, who showed both male and female characteristics.
The two-spirited person was believed to have received a gift from the Creator – the gift to see everything from two perspectives at one time, and were respected as teachers and healers, caregivers and more in their communities. Tests were given to children at a young age if thought to be two-spirited, so they would have the precious opportunity to fully bloom.
Unfortunately, as we all know, European settlers imposed their word of God on the Native culture, where there was no place for a third gender.
This is hardly new news in the transgendered community. Erin Steele's real reason bringing it up was to praise a bill moving through Canada's government.The bill prohibits discrimination based on an individual's gender identity and gender expression. It passed third reading in the House of Commons last week, and is a positive step forward for open-mindedness.
Maybe next time I see an article on "gender stereotyping" I won't be so quick to dismiss it! Additionally, way to go Canada!
Can you image any bill close to this making it's way through our congress? Our legislators have a higher calling. Wasting our money.

Danish Girl?

Danish "Lili Elbe" was supposedly the first person to go through sexual reassignment surgery.
"Nichole Kidman"  will be in Denmark this summer to actually start filming this story.
Her story is a fascinating one.  Lili was born "Einer" in 1882.  Later in life he married the artist Gerda Wegener.

When a female model did not show up for a session, Einer stepped in and Lili was born. Einer enjoyed and became so comfortable as a female, he eventually had the surgery which was very experimental in those days.
Gerda and Lili moved to Paris where Lili lived openly as a woman and even turned down a marriage proposal.
The only problem with the film is that Kidman is playing Lili.  Once again a transgendered actor is turned down for a role.
The movie has had a very rocky start and reportedly will start filming this summer in Copenhagen.

What's It Really Mean?

All the current fashion runway publicity revolving around "Lea T" and "Andrej Pejic" means exactly what to the transgendered community?
Did the "glam rockers' or the "club kids" do any thing for us? No not really. No mainstream change. When movies such as "Tootsie" came out, did that help? Maybe a little.
"Alex Fury's" article in the UK's "Independent" gives us some possible insight from the runway.
Here's is a portion of his story.
So where will this interest take us next? The womenswear shows are
currently in full flow, hot on the heels of a menswear season that
questioned the status quo between the sexes at every turn. Whether
fashion will bravely continue to transgress the boundaries, or will
wilt into the shadows of gender stereotypes, remains to be seen.
Leading the vanguard as he prepares for Candy's third issue, Luis
Venegas is philosophical about his aims. "If showing these images and
stories somehow helps to change the conventions and what people see as
elegant or right or wrong, I'm happy about it. That wasn't the plan,
but at least people can look at this in a different way."
For what it's worth, I'm a real believer that we are starting to see the merging of the genders.  Human evolution, chemicals we consume and social media outlets are pushing the gender envelopes like we have never seen
If the current runway style helps or not has yet to be seen.  At the least, it's not negative and probably does not reach much of society, but who knows? It can't hurt!