Terminology - Blog Posts
Current Mainstream Gender Terminology is Problematic and Erases and Marginalizes the Non-binary Community
Hi peeps!
I understand that a lot of people in the gender-diverse community strongly identify and feel affirmed with the terminology trans and transgender to describe the gender-diverse community and describe one's experiences and feelings of their gender identity, but the terminology for it is problematic. Historically, transgender was primarily associated with the narrow binary framework (e.g., from man to woman or vice versa). Cisgender serves as an antonym to transgender. Transgender expanded beyond the narrow binary framework to include non-binary, but a lot of people within and outside the gender-diverse community still associate it with just trans men and trans women. Even with good intentions, language can and does perpetuate stereotypes and inequality. A lot of mainstream gender-diverse terminology conveys binary ideas of physical characteristics and gender.
The Latin prefixes "cis" and "trans" when used to describe the gender identities cis or cisgender and trans or transgender are inherently problematic because of their binary connotations. The Latin prefix “trans” means “across,” “beyond,” or “on the other side of.” For example, “Transylvania” means “beyond the forest,” and “transatlantic” means “across the Atlantic Ocean.”
The Latin prefix “cis” means “on this side of.” The scientific roots of the “cis-” prefix go even further back. In chemistry, it refers to the orientation of atoms in three-dimensional space. For example, “cis-2-butene” describes a molecule where two methyl groups are on the same side of a double bond, while “trans-2-butene” has the methyl groups on opposite sides.
So here is my idea to address it. What if we removed the Latin prefixes and replaced them with "Ex" and "Intra?"
Exgender ("Ex" meaning "out of" or "from") on its own could be a broad term that can be used to describe people whose gender identity(ies) is different from the gender they were assigned at birth (but ideally use gender-diverse). Instead of trans men, trans women, and trans people, it would be exgender men, exgender women, and exgender people.
Intragender ('intra" meaning "within" or "inside") could be a gender identity that can be used to describe people whose gender identity aligns with the gender they were assigned at birth. Instead of cisgender men, cisgender women, and cisgender people, it would be intragender men, intragender women, and intragender people.
Both intragender and exgender would still have the inclusive definitions associated with cisgender and transgender gender identities and be used in the same way. The difference is they wouldn't unintentionally reinforce the narrow gender binary that disproportionately affects the non-binary community compared to trans men and trans women (of course this depends on certain factors, such as the intersectionality of the fundamental aspects of a person's identity) and contributes to the common and serious issue of non-binaryphobia within the gender-diverse community.
There's also A LOT of other binary terminology that needs to be abolished, such as ASAB, AMAB, AFAB, assigned sex, assigned male, assigned female, FtM, MtF, male, female, sex, "biological" sex, femme-presenting, masc-presenting, masculine, feminine, etc.
A lot of these could be replaced and some just shouldn't be used at all.
Instead of male and female, use man and woman.
Instead of FTM and MTF, use exgender man, exgender woman, exgender person, non-binary person, AGAB, assigned woman at birth, assigned man at birth, etc.
Instead of ASAB, AMAB, AFAB, assigned sex, etc., use AGAB (Assigned Gender At Birth), assigned gender, assigned woman at birth, and assigned man at birth. E.g. My AGAB is woman/man.
Instead of sex and "biological" sex, use physical attributes or descriptive language to describe physical attributes, such as hormones, genitalia (penis, vagina, diverse genitalia), chromosomes, etc.
Instead of masc-presenting, femme-presenting, masculine, feminine, gender-neutral or any other word that labels certain forms of gender expression to be inherent to certain gender identities, use descriptive language.
For example:
Instead of "femme-presenting/feminine" or masc-presenting/masculine chest," use "rounded firm chest" or "flat chest, muscular chest."
Instead of "femme-presenting/feminine" or "masc-presenting/masculine" clothing, use "skirt, dress, lipstick, makeup, bra, t-shirt, baggy shorts, leather jacket, boots, etc."
No aspect of gender expression is inherently tied to any gender identity and shouldn't be falsely labeled as such, and the concepts of masculinity and femininity are baseless social constructs that change over time and often prioritize and favor cis men and marginalize other genders.
Doomed vs. Void Timelines
A doomed timeline is associated with time travel. It is an offshoot timeline, branching from the Alpha Timeline. It is destined for failure, for an ill fate. It can never succeed because, by itself, it cannot propagate reality's existence. A doomed timeline invariably ends when someone travels in time to undo its events.
So what happens when someone retcons events? Retconning is different from time travel. It doesn't create a doomed timeline because the timeline is the Alpha, not a branching offshoot. It doesn't create a stable time loop, either, because events are actually changed, as opposed to linked by causality. Doomed timelines and stable time loops are the results of time travel, not retcons. So what is the result of a retcon?
A retcon, instead, creates a void timeline. When the Alpha Timeline is changed, it renders previous Alpha (or canon) events null, void, ineffective, cancelled out.
The Alpha Timeline is the timeline of Light; it is the most important, significant, and relevant timeline, the path that successfully propagates reality and existence itself. Retcons turn the Alpha Timeline's Light to Void, making previously canon events unknown, irrelevant, ineffective, and as though they do not exist.
So, to clarify:
Doomed timeline = Offshoot timeline events undone via time travel.
Void timeline = Alpha timeline events undone via retcon.
The Phantom of Hip-Hop Terminology
Roid Steiner
This term is used to describe Koala Kong in Crash Bandicoot. This is a reference to allegations of pro wrestler, Scott Steiner, for steroid use. Of course we at Phantom, Inc. wouldn't think Big Poppa Pump was actually juicing, now.
Mini-Me
This is used to address N. Brio in Crash Bandicoot as such. Don't know why, but Phantom sees Brio as Dr. Evil's partner in crime. Maybe because of his height?
Crocodile Dundee
Sorry, Dingodile. We couldn't come up with a more original joke to call you Aussies.
Dr. Negro Cortex
This is what Phantom addresses Dr. Neo Cortex as in Crash Bandicoot. Now, this is clever joke. For those that don't know, "negro" was used as a word to label folk with dark skin in the United States in the early 20th century. Hence why "Negro League Baseball" existed in those times, for example.
LowTierGod
This is how Phantom sees Tiny Tiger from Crash Bandicoot. LowTierGod, also known as Dale Wilson, is a member of the FGC (Fighting Game Community) with a catalog of infamous moments documented throughout the Internet. One of the biggest being his scrawny lower body in contrast with buff torso, making him resemble that of Tiny Tiger's. The similarities are uncanny.
Bitch-Ass
This is what Phantom pejoratively calls Rilla Roo from Crash Bandicoot. This is based on YouTuber, DashieXP's, rivalry with Donkey Kong in various Nintendo games. It all started on Mario Kart 8 where Dashie had become Donkey's target nearly every race, leading to the label of "Donkey Bitch-Ass". With Phantom, it started on Crash Bash. Just by sight of him, he couldn't stand dealing with Rilla Roo with how tough the game is to play as he sees him as nothing more than a Dingodile wannabe.
Piece
What Phantom refers to the biggest pistol or one-handed firearm in a video game. For example, THIS:
You can't fuck wit deez legs.
Phantom's interjection towards a character that performs Taekwondo in a video game. Such as:
Hwoarang in Tekken
Juri Han in Street Fighter
Kim Kaphwan in Fatal Fury
House Niggas
What Phantom refers to the first set of enemies in Urban Reign. The origin of the term goes back to the times of the Transatlantic slave trade in the United States as it was used to address slaves that performed involuntary labor in their slave-owner's home. When referring to the first enemies in Urban Reign, Phantom sees them as pushovers compared to the Zaps, which are depicted as a much more intimidating gang. Not sure how this works as an insult, since those house slaves had a lighter skin tone, and some of those first enemies have darker skin. Guess he wanted to insult like the Angry Preacher.
Swole DMX
What Phantom refers to Napalm 99, one of the major bosses in Urban Reign. Napalm reminds Phantom of the late hip-hop artist, DMX, face-wise, with a much larger frame. You think those cats can handle the dog?
You got tha best shit.
How Phantom reacts to when a character is equipped with the most convenient paraphernalia in a game, especially when they specialize in using it. When the going gets tough, you gotta use what you have.
Brock Lesnar wit Mike Tyson's tattoo
How Phantom describes The Monster, Golem, in Urban Reign. This is self-explanatory: he looks like Brock Lesnar with a face tattoo similar to Mike Tyson's. Imagine someone with the prowlness of them both combined in real life...
Kazuma Kiryu's homies
What Phantom refers the Mushin-Kai in Urban Reign. Since they're basically yakuza, why not a Kiryu Kazuma reference?
Big Bitch
What Phantom addresses Alcina Dimitrescu as in Resident Evil: Village. She's a 9-foot tall giantess of domination. So tall, she'll make Shaqille O' Neal get into the fetal position at the sight of her.
Chucky's Side Bitch
This is what Phantom calls Angie, the doll of Donna Beneviento, in Resident Evil: Village. Got a question for you, Chucky: does Tiffany Valentine know anything about this?
Fish outta Water
How Phantom sees Salvatore Moreau in Resident Evil: Village. Poor guy just wanted some affection.
Homeless Magneto
What Phantom calls Karl Heisenberg in Resident Evil: Village. Humans have always been scum to mold-kind. No wonder why Heisenbergis so grumpy.
Queen of the Jesus Freaks
How Phantom describes Mother Miranda in Resident Evil: Village. Quite a god complex you got there, hon.
Spider-Man's Offsprings
What Phantom refers to any spider-like character he encounters in video games. Poor MJ. Those ovaries gotta be screaming in pain going through so much reproduction of those spiderlings.
Ok but can we talk about non-native and invasive species in a nuanced way?
There’s more to this topic than ‘native = good’ and ‘non-native = invasive and therefore bad’. I also see horrible analogies with human immigration, which…no. Just no.
Let’s sit back and learn about species and how they work inside and outside their native ranges! Presented by: someone who studied ecology.
Broadly speaking, when talking about species in an ecosystem, we can divide them into four categories: native non-invasive, non-native, non-native invasive, and native invasive.
Because ‘native’ and ‘invasive’ are two different things.
Native and non-native refers to the natural range of a species: where it is found without human intervention. Is it there on its own, or did it arrive in a place because of human activity?
Non-invasive and invasive refers to how it interacts with its ecosystem. A non-invasive species slots in nicely. It has its niche, it is able to survive and thrive, and its presence does not threaten the ecosystem as a whole. An invasive species, on the other hand, survives, thrives, and threatens the balance of an ecosystem.
Let’s have some examples! (mostly featuring North America, because that’s the region I’m most familiar with)
Native Non-invasive
Native bees! Bee species (may be social or solitary) that pollinate plants.
And stopping here bc I think we get the point.
Non-native
Common Dandelion: Introduced from Europe. Considered an agricultural weed, but does no harm to the North American ecosystem. Used as a food source by many insects and animals. Is prolific, but does not force other species out.
European Honeybee: Introduced from Eurasia. Massively important insect for agricultural pollination. Can compete with native pollinators but does not usually out compete them.
Non-native Invasive
Emerald Ash Borer: Beetle introduced from Asia. In places where it is non-native, it is incredibly destructive to ash trees (in its native range, predators and resistant trees keep it in check). It threatens North America’s entire ash population.
Hydrilla: An Old World aquatic plant introduced to North America. Aggressively displaces native plant species, and can interfere with fish spawning areas and bird feeding areas.
Native Invasive
White Tailed Deer: Local extinction of the deer’s predators caused a massive population boom. Overgrazing by large deer populations has significantly changed the landscape, preventing forests from maturing and altering the species composition of an area. Regulated hunting keeps deer populations managed.
Sea Urchins: The fur trade nearly wiped out the sea otters that eat them. Without sea otters to keep urchin populations in check, sea urchins overgrazed on kelp forests, leading to the destruction and loss of kelp and habitat. Sea otter conservation has helped control urchin populations, and keeps the kelp forest habitat healthy.
—
There are a few common threads here:
The first is that human activities wind up causing most ecosystem damage. We introduce species. We disrupt food chains. We try to force human moral values onto ecosystems and species. And when we make a mistake, it’s up to us to mitigate or reverse the damage.
The second is that human moral values really cannot be applied to ecosystems. There are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ species. Every species has its place. Applying emotional and moral rhetoric to ecology works against our understanding of how our ecosystems work.
Third: the topic of invasive and non-native species is more complex than most of the dialogue surrounding it. Let’s elevate our discussions.
Fourth: If you ever compare immigrants or minorities to invasive species, I will end you.
There are more nuances to this topic than I presented as well! This is not meant to be a deep dive, but a primer.
A while ago, I made up the word bipolarian to mean someone with bipolar disorder.
There's nothing wrong with "people with bipolar disorder." But it takes a lot of characters, and sounds too much like person-first language.
Bipolarian amuses me because it sounds like "planarian." Cut our heads in half, and we'll become one body ruled by two heads. Seems appropriate.
Here's a plushie two-headed planarian. Aww, such a cutie
