Breaking Binary

Aiming to break down the stigmas that are created by gender roles through design. Submit below to contribute. See the exhibition: layers.design.umn.edu

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I am a boy, I am expected to live in a bubble devoid of physical connection. If I were a girl, I could hug people more freely, then maybe I would feel less alone.

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I am a boy, It is expected that I think about sex every 10 seconds. This is entirely untrue as I rarely think about sex. If I were a girl, no one would assume I am “checking them out”

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I’m a girl, I have to think twice about voicing my sexuality and cannot be agressive in the way men are without being seen as slutty, desperate, etc.

If I were a boy I would praised by my peers for the number of girls I slept with and for having an agressive, i-can-get-her attitude.

[breakingbinaryproject]

A powerful poem about what it feels like to be transgender

"I was the mystery of an anatomy, a question asked but not answered," says poet Lee Mokobe, a TED Fellow, in this gripping and poetic exploration of identity and transition. It's a thoughtful reflection on bodies, and the meanings poured into them.

More Ken than Barbie

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I’m a girl, I am presumed to be under-qualified for many upper-level positions. 

If I were a boy, my male name atop my [female] resume would be qualification enough. 

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I’m a girl, I need to take care of myself more cautiously when I am drunk.

If I were a boy, I will hang out and get drunk more often and be just safe.

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I’m a girl, I can alter my appearance more easily, though unfortunately I am expected to.

If I were a boy, men wouldn’t stare at me during workouts, give me unsolicited advice, and jump up to re-rack my weights for me.

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I’m a boy, I feel that I am held to a high standard that society has created and am allowed to break standards as openly as women are allowed.

If I were a girl, I feel I would feel more comfortable breaking the standards society has placed on me.

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I’m a boy, I feel like my femininity is stripped from me, or that I’m not allowed to have it.

If I were a girl, I would be ashamed for my masculine-central identity.

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I’m a girl, I recognize systemic misogyny and the hyper sexualization of women.

If I were a boy, I would include women in traditionally “male” industries and roles.

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I’m a girl, I don’t feel safe alone at night.

If I were a boy, I hope that I would try to understand my privilege.

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I’m a girl, I feel the need to marry and have babies.

If I were a boy, I would feel free to remain unmarried.

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I’m a girl, I do more household work.

If I were a boy, I would have accomplished more in a career. 

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I’m a girl, I'm expected to be able to “handle it all”… career, motherhood, maintaining a house and most likely be expected to quit my job to take care of the kids.

If I were a boy, I would be expected to provide a good income for my family, not be expected to quit my job to stay home with a baby and help raise the kids (only when I’m not at work) and expect a nice pat on the back when I do chores around the house.

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I’m a girl, I have to spend the first part of work meetings proving my authority and competence.

If I were a boy, I would be granted that respect from the start.

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I’m a girl, people assume that I am incapable. It astounds me when another woman approaches me at my place of work, exclaiming how impressive it is that a girl could be doing this job. It leads me to a self-fulfilling prophecy of underachievement and apathy in jobs that aren’t traditionally feminine. 

If I were a boy, I would be expected to fill one of these positions; though no one would question me once I had. If I were a boy, no one would question my authority or be surprised by my achievements.

[breakingbinaryproject]

Because I am a girl I didn’t get to participate in my a summer camp my dad did for men, instead I had to help with dinner and clean the camp bathrooms. 

If I were a boy I think I would have hated middle school, boys were mean.