Are there public or private spaces that meet the needs of people who are genderqueer? and is it possible to imagine a world beyond the gender binary?

 

For decades, genderqueer people have found solace in communal congregation. Whether in private or out in public, queer communities sought refuge in spaces where they knew they would be seen, respected, and protected. Nightclubs and secluded bars gave homes to people that could not comfortably exist in their everyday lives. Often cast away for being queer, trans, or whatever other insensitive reason, these people turned to the safe spaces available to them. Today, safe spaces continue to house the marginalized members of society by giving them the freedom to express themselves, without repercussion

I believe it is possible for a time to come when gender is not boxed into binaries. The idea of gender is undergoing a revolution, as unconventional gender behaviors gain in acceptance. At the same time, however, virtually every societal move away from the gender binary—such as permitting gender-neutral designations on various documents. We can become the change we wish to see in the world — by forgoing the need to rush to opinion as a way to avoid the discomfort of doing the actual work. In giving people the space and freedom to share their truth, we confront our own ignorance and bigotry, while simultaneously learning from those whose lived experience bears witness to realities that may be far beyond our immediate comprehension.