What it Means to Be an Androgyne

Being an androgyne in today's society can be very difficult, but it doesn't have to be. If people had a better understanding of what androgyny really is, they might not be so quick to judge. There are a lot more people out there that are androgynous than what you might think. Here is some food for thought on what it means to be an androgyne, from an androgyne.

An androgyne is a person who exhibits traits which are both masculine and feminine. These traits can be either physical or mental, or even both. Androgyny is not just a description of someone's outward appearance. We look, act or think in ways which suit either or both of the accepted genders.

Our biological sex does not determine our gender or our sexual orientation. We can be born with a male body, be heterosexual and still think and act in rather feminine ways. It's not just males who are androgynes either. You can be born female and think and act in masculine ways without being a lesbian. The body parts you are born with don't determine your gender, and neither does society.

Society has taught us over the centuries that male and female are the only genders. I disagree, it is western society which has taught these things. In other cultures, things are different. In many native American cultures people who were androgynous were often revered for their balanced viewpoint and often were the village sages. There are more than only two genders, just as there more than two sexes and sexual orientations.

Our gender is not a choice we make. I personally would rather just be a so-called normal man than spend my life in confusion. I was often thought to be a homosexual by friends and family alike while growing up. My gender is just part of who I am, like having blue eyes or being good math. I didn't choose an androgyne, but I have to accept it and live with it.

Being an androgyne is not like being a cross-dresser, transvestite, or transexual. Crossdressing is a compulsion, transvestitism is a sexual fetish and a transexual is someone who believes that they were born with the wrong parts. In many ways, being an androgyne is antithesis to being a transexual. They are strongly one gender or the other and want to change their body to match. An androgyne is a combination of genders and knows that neither sex fits them. Many androgynes do crossdress but don't see it as a compulsion, but rather an expression of their very strong feminine side. We don't need to, we just want to. Many times, an androgyne would rather wear clothing for both genders at the same time, rather than trying to look like one or the other.

Being an androgyne does not mean you are homosexual. Your sexual preference has little or nothing to do with your gender or your sex. Even transexuals don't change their preferences after surgery. They stick to what they like regardless of their apparent sex. Androgynes are the same way, we know what we like and that doesn't change. While many people choose to explore their sexuality and many discover that they like more than what they initially thouhgt, it doesn't change the fact that they still like what they always did. Some people even discover that what they prefer isn't really driven by biology, but psychology. You might find out that a masculine woman or feminine man is what you really want.

An androgyne is not a deviant. We just have a different perspective on life. We are able to see things from both male and female perspectives. We aren't trying to subvert or contaminate anyone , but we do wonder why you try to teach your children what a "real" man or woman should be. It's that kind of thinking that results in our lifelong confusion. As an androgyne, you never really know where you fit into any given situation. Our society tells us what our gender role is supposed to be from the day we are born and that gender role is reinforced throughout childhood. After all that social programming, you try to act in ways that you think are fitting for a person of your sex. Because of your actual gender however, you wind up miserable, depressed and guilt-ridden. You try to act one way and your conscience tells you to act another way. Once you have discovered and accepted what you are, things get a little easier. At least then you can admit to yourself that having a balanced viewpoint is a good thing and doesn't make you a deviant, regardless of what anyone tells you.

Self identity should be determined by you, not society. Whether you are gay or straight, transexual or androgyne, you should be free to be yourself. Don't let labels stop you from being true to your heart. Being an androgyne is actually a good thing, it means you can be both strong and sensitive. Education is a large step, and freedom of self-expression is the goal. Be yourself and others will follow suit.