This poem was written by Cubby J. Sherwood, a gender-neutral person. It was published in FORGE Volume 5, Issue 5. FORGE (For Ourselves: Reworking Gender Expression) was a FTM+ newsletter and social support group co-founded by Michael Munson. This was found on the Wayback Machine.Passing? What's That?
I exist in that nameless realm that is not male, not female.
Am I passing if I get sent to the men's room by the helpful waiter?
Am I passing when I get called Sir or Ma'am?
Am I passing when a woman won't enter the bathroom because she sees me in there?
What makes someone decide I'm "Monsieur" even in a tight t-shirt?
What makes another decide I'm "Miss" even in shirt and tie?
Am I passing if I get "read" as male by one person, female by someone else all on the same day in the same clothes?
Why do I prefer to be addressed as Young Man instead of Lady?
Why is "he" gender neutral?
Why is gender based on what others do? What others see?
When will it no longer matter how people address me?
When will I find myself?
Cubby J. Sherwood © 2000
