INTERVIEW WITH G(33)

What is your understanding of gender?

In my understanding of gender, I don´t care that I understand a whole lot. I do believe it's fluid, but in my own, I've just accepted that I'm female. So whenever someone tells me they're preferred pronouns, I just believe them.

What is your understanding of gender inequality?

I think a lot about gender inequality. Not just because it affects me as a woman in the tech industry and at the gym (I’m the highest ranking woman in my gym), but because society has created so many boxes of gender expectations. This is unfair to everyone because nobody fits in these narrow realms. That's why we should accept fluidity of gender. I often get upset because chose to only see me as a woman, but I'm much more than that. When I worked in tech support, callers thought I was a secretary. They would get upset because they couldn't figure out why I was not passing their phonecall to a man, but I was there to help them with their computer issue.

What is your personal opinion about gender

non-binary?

My personal opinion on gender non-binary: I think it's the most beautiful concept in gender expression. When someone explains to me how they feel as a non-binary person, I don't relate but I think it makes so much sense logistically. I understand that we have intersex ppl so it makes sense that one's brain would follow and be intersex. I think it's beautiful that ppl are taking some space for themselves to tell ppl who they are.

I identify as female but I don't fit in the box that society has created for females. I think my boyfriend is the same way. He is the care taker of our relationship and I'm the breadwinner.

He does some things that are stereotypically male but like pink and flowers. I like that about him.

What is your understanding of intersectionality?

If I understand the question correctly, intersectionality involves appreciating everyone's differences and fighting against all oppression. I used to fight a lot for women's rights, but I got involved in immigrants' rights and found that as a white woman I have so much privelage. I've encountered a lot of inequality but it nothing compared to the oppression of our black and brown ppl. So I have to use my privelage to fight for them. In the US, there is a lot of inequality against ppl with disabilities. They are more likely to live in poverty bc ADA compliance standards are relaxed and we don't appreciate their representation.

Can you name any significant inequalities in your country?

Inequalities in my country: there are so many!!!

The other day, my friends were discussing the trouble with our prison system. It's all privatized, so there is an incentive to throw ppl in prison and keep them in there. Most ppl serving time are in there for non violent crimes, and there are some ppl (men and women) serving time for standing up to an abuser. Recently a woman received 20 years for killing an abusive boyfriend. She shot him with the gun that she took from him. There aren't any rehabilitation programs for inmates and when you get out, you have to tell employers that you served time. Ppl aren't hiring previous convicts and you can't vote. Most ppl who get out of prison, go back bc we created a vicious cycle.

Inequalities in the US:

Ppl are fleeing central and south America bc their lives are in danger. Their dangers involve political conflict, gang violence, and global warming. The US has a huge part in these conflicts. Our involvement in their country is the reason ppls lives are in danger. Same with the middle East!

Ppl immigrate here with high hopes. However, if you come here poor, you stay poor. These are ppl who are saving money to get a citizenship application and they are sending money back home to help an elderly relative. If you undocumented, you have no protections and employers cheat your wages bc they can. You can't vote until you are a citizen. That's probably everywhere, but I honestly think we should open up voting to residents of the area. Immigrants are such a vulnerable group in our country and they provide so much. They pay more in taxes, they enrich the economy, and culture. We are so lucky ppl want to come here and I wish ppl would welcome our immigrants.

Our whole infrastructure is designed to keep ppl in poverty and keep them poor. Wages have not increased in decades ( I believe) but everything costs more. There's a huge dependance on driving because of our huge highways, but owning a car is expensive. And nobody knows how to drive. This is relevant to me because I like to bike everywhere, so I have to keep up with the laws. No one who drives a car seems to remember basic road laws.

Recently, the president rolled back the definition of sexual assault. Previously, sexual assault includes any action that is not wanted or reciprocated by the other party. Now, per the new definition, it must include a violent action.

What are the 3 most important factors for a

gender inclusive society?

For a gender inclusive society, forms such as applications and licenses, should include non binary options.

We should deconstruct the ideas of what is a male or female. Even my fight family sometimes makes remarks on how I train but my boyfriend doesn't. He's such a good cheerleader and he helps me make time to prepare for my tournaments. Among deconstructing these ideas, professional attire should be refocused. If we want to diversify the workplace, then we should be open to fluidity in the wardrobe.

Of course, we also need to increase women/non binary pay.

I would also like to add, not sure if this is a fourth point or we can add it to deconstructing our boxes, but we should build spaces for gender non binary.

In jiu jitsu, we compete by m/f division. This complicates competing for trans folks. Many ppl on hormone therapy are not sure what bracket they should sign up for and are usually too scared to enter. It's been a huge debate among our community. The hugest proponent against opening up competitions to transitioning folks is that men have a huge testerone advantage against women. However, I honestly don't think men are trying to undergo all this therapy and transitions for the sole purpose of winning matches. We are so lucky to have a sport where the focus is on leverage and technique, not on hormones and muscles. We should include trans ppl in our tournaments.