Hi Louise,

*hugs* here too!

It's very courageous for you to speak out as you have, and I applaud you for it.

If you're not already aware of her, I recommend Judith Butler's book "Gender Troubles". In it, she says gender and desire are flexible and free-floating:

"There is no gender identity behind the expressions of gender.... identity is performatively constituted by the very expressions that are said to be its results. i.e. gender is a performance; it's what you do at particular times, rather than a universal who you are."

Another feminist author (Angela MacRobbie) has this to say:

"Feminism is about who you want to be - and finding out who you are in the first place."

I think that speaks to a wider audience than just women.

Anyway, it's a pleasure (still) to know you.

anonymouse