Gender pronouns: A mini-rant

Today, I identify as . . .

The Grinch

Before I launch into this little mini-rant, let me give credit to the inspiration behind it; my good friend, Lu Skerdoo. Lu has somewhat of a proclivity for epiphanies and inspiration and, being the generous-natured soul that she is, she often shares what she receives. In this instance, it was potential story titles that morphed into a spontaneous game of tag, courtesy, I admit, of me. Lu wrote a story based on the first title offering and now I’m it. I picked my own title (‘cos I’m a rule-breaker) and hence the rant to follow. Turns out the Lu-title sparked a reaction.

For your enlightenment and reading pleasure, check out Lu’s stories first.

I don’t need no label

As my profile clearly states, I identify as he/ she/ they/ them/ whatever. Why? Because I literally don’t care. As long as you don’t call me over to the bar after service has ceased, call me pretty much anything you like. I’m good. Besides, any of the identifiers could conceivably be true at any given time, on account of the multi-me’s resident in the one brain-space.

Look, don’t get me wrong, I completely understand why there’s debate about certain specific gender pronouns, especially when it comes to whether an individual wishes to be identified as he or she. But, to be fair, the whole thing has, as always seems to happen, gotten WAY out of hand. Quite frankly, I don’t give a shit what your pronoun is. That’s your baby, not mine. And if you’re gonna get all up in my face about me getting it wrong, try stamping it on your face. Oh, and how about on the back of your head, too. I can’t tell who you are from the rear and if I don’t know, I guess you’ll have to settle for a “Hey, you!”

My name is Tai. That’s pretty much the only identifier I need. Often, I make a pretty damn good Grinch. I am the indomitable Mega Mind (according to Grimsby Hackney) and a joker and a Kiwi cowboy in an Akubra hat. I am many, many things, as are we all. Am I going to get hung up on what I identify as? Fuck off, I am. (Sorry for the expletives, Lu.) Quite frankly, it’s also nobody’s business but my own.

Do I support the rainbow community? Abso. . fucking. . lutely. But it’s not the only community I support or with which I affiliate. Am I a badge and banner-toting member of all or any of my communities? Why? Will it make me a better person? I’ll demonstrate my support when and where it’s warranted but I’m not about to go making unnecessary noise, just because.

Today, I identify as. . . The Grinch

Maybe tomorrow it’ll be Mega Mind. Does anybody really care? No. The bottom line is, I don’t care because I do care. Whoever you are, I’m going to accept you at face value, because that’s the way I approach things. I don’t care what you look like or what you wear or how you speak or what you do with your hair. You treat me and mine with respect, you can bet your arse I’m going to do the same. But you can also bet your arse I’m NOT going to ask you what pronoun I’m supposed to address you with. Give me a name and we be all good, okay?

‘nuff said.

With thanks to Lu and her usual posse of supporters. 🤗💞

Belated Author’s Note: I was meant to tag somebody, AND I had somebody in mind and so, without further ado, may I please request the honor of Rachel A Fefer to take the baton, pick a title, and strike it with her ineffable wry humor and wealth of back stories? Pretty please?

To all of you fabulous writers out there,

Kia kaha and aroha nui. 💞

Fighting! 👊