Days to Commemorate Individuals with Diverse Gender and Sexual Identities

Tags

Gender, Sexuality, Transgender

Let us honor those who have the courage to walk their unique personal paths on these memorial days that have been identified to raise awareness about individuals with diverse gender and sexual identities.

February LGBTI History Month (UK)
March 8 International Women’s Day
March 14-20 LGBTI Health Awareness Week
March 31 International Day of Transgender Visibility
April 8 Transgender Day of Empowerment
April 26 Lesbian Visibility Day
April (day varies year to year) Day of Silence to Protest Bullying
May 17 International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, & Transphobia
May 22 Harvey Milk Day
June Pride Month and LGBTI History Month (US)
June 27 Stonewall Riots Anniversary
July 14 International Non-binary People’s Day
July 16 International Drag Day
August Compton Cafeteria Riots Anniversary
August 26 Wear It Purple Day
September 17-23 Bisexual Awareness Week
September 23 Celebrate Bisexuality Day
September 27 Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
October 11 National Coming Out Day
October 13-17 Ally Week
October 17 Spirit Day (Day against Bullying)
October 26 Intersex Awareness Day
October 28 International Lesbian Day
November 8 Intersex Solidarity Day
November 14-20 Transgender Awareness Week
November 19 International Men’s Day
November 20 Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 3rd Thursday Spirit Day (Day Against Bullying)
December 1 World Aids Day
December 28 Trans Youth Day

http://www.SoulSexAlchemy.com
http://www.DrakeInnerprizes.com

Some Fresh Concepts excerpted from Soul Sex: The Alchemy of Gender & Sexuality

Tags

Gender, Sexuality

The  Soul Globe: Instead of linear models of gender and sexual identity, I propose a holographic model of the soul. An individual’s identity can move to a near infinite number of points in order to learn from different experiences. This movement may happen in one lifetime or over multiple lifetimes. Other human constructs, in addition to gender and sexual identity, such as race, creed, color, culture, ancestry, age, socioeconomic status, and spirituality are also resident on the holographic soul.

The Transsexual Medicine Wheel: This wheel represents the transition of a transsexual individual to the life and body of desire. The journey begins in the East direction, the place of Preparation. The Transformation begins in the South. Moving to the West, Assimilation begins. In the North, Liberation is felt as jubilation. The final direction is the Center, which is the place of integration. The Self now stands in right relationship to itself in the Inner World and itself in the Outer World.

Chameleosexual: An individual that is sexually versatile depending on the gender of their partner. An example is an individual that plays the bottom (receptive) role when with male sexual partners and plays the top (active) role when with female sexual partners.

Copyright © 2015 Drake Bear Stephen. Except where acknowledged. www.DrakeInnerprizes.com

Graphic Dictionary of Gender and Sexuality Symbols

Tags

Gender, Sexuality

Sex, is a physical characteristic of our bodies. Some individuals have male genitalia, some have female genitalia, and others have some of both. Gender identity is a consciousness of who we are. Components of our gender identity include our gender expression and gender role. Sexual identity is a consciousness of who we want to be with romantically or sexually. Components of our sexuality include our sexual orientation and sexual behavior.

Gender Blenders put all the characteristics of masculinity and femininity together to create a unique blend of gender identity. Gender Blending is the blurring or blending of gender roles. Inside the blender is a combination of astrological symbols that represent Male (Mars), Female (Venus), Neuter (Mercury), and Asexual.

This image of the divine Male and divine Female, conjoined as one being, represents non-duality. This is the alchemical symbol for the union of Male and Female. The Logos (soul) deconstructs into Male and Female on the physical plane. The 6-pointed star represents the reconstruction of Male and Female into an Androgyne.

A symbol of Androgyny is created from the union of the God and Goddess. The God is represented by the symbol of the Horned God: a half moon pointing up. The Horned God is Associated with nature, sexuality, and hunting. The Goddess is represented by the symbol of the Triple Moon: a circle representing the full moon in the middle, a half moon on the left (waxing moon of new beginnings), and a half moon on the right (waning moon of endings). The Triple Moon can also symbolize the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone.

Individuals with any gender identity may use a unisex toilet or restroom. Unisex restrooms benefit families that have small children as well as disabled and elderly individuals that need assistance. In addition, trans* and gender fluid individuals may use a unisex restroom without fear of harassment or embarrassment.

A symbol for transsexual transformation consists of the Greek letter “X”. As a symbol with 3 bars, it represents the 3 phases of a transsexual’s life: the pre-transition, the transition, and post-transition. “X” has multiple meanings. It is the Roman symbol for “10”, which is the number of completion and balance. “X” is a graphic representation of the interplay of opposites. “X” also represents the perfectly balanced human, one line being the spiritual, intellectual, active, and male side and the other line being the earthly, rational, passive, and female side. “X” represents the union of dualism. It also represents a cross over, as in transitioning from one physical gender to another. And lastly, “X” is short for the prefix “ex”, which means a formerly held position, as in ex-male or ex-female.

These symbols are representations of gender variance and therefore choice. They graphically portray the concept that gender identity is not linear but can have twists, turns, and even question marks.

The five-sided pentagon stands for the numbers “2” (the Male) plus “3” (the Female) which adds up to “5” (the Androgyne). Inside the pentagon are the combined symbols for Male (Mars astrological symbol), Female (Venus astrological symbol), and Neuter (Mercury astrological symbol). All are enclosed by the circle which symbolizes circular living, the throwing away of linear thinking especially for gender and sexual identity models.

The symbols for Mars (male) and Venus (female) are combined with a third arm that represents non-binary trans* people. The strike through the circle in this version represents those individuals that don’t identify as male or female. The inverted triangle was a symbol the Nazis made camp prisoners wear during World War II. Different colors represented different groups. Homosexuals had to wear the pink triangle. Today the inverted triangle has been reclaimed for use as a symbol for pride.

This graphic symbol has two feathers representing the two spiritual energies, male and female, on a background of the yin-yang symbol. The circle is a symbol of sacred cycles that have no beginning and no end.

IOZ is a fictional but intriguing concept from the movie Zerophilia*. It is about individuals that are born with an additional chromosome, the “Z” chromosome. These individuals change sex whenever they are sexually aroused to orgasm with an individual of the opposite sex or with another zerophiliac.
*Zerophilia (2005) written by Martin Curland

The Taijitu (diagram of supreme ultimate) is the Chinese symbol for yin (female) and yang (male). It is a classic symbol for the balance and harmony of opposite energies.

The Yin Yang Yuen was designed to include a third gender in the traditional Tao symbol of yin (female) and yang (male).

The word “pan” comes from the Greek word for “all”. Pansexuals are sexually and romantically attracted to individuals of all gender identities. They understand that there is a much wider gender spectrum than just males and females. In other words, being attracted to an individual’s soul, energy, and inner beauty supersedes the importance of the physical body.

The symbols for multiple sexual orientations. Variations include combinations of astrological symbols that represent Male (Mars), Female (Venus), and Neuter (Mercury).

The hormones that create secondary sexual characteristics in humans.

Standing at the intersection of Gender Drive and Sexuality Street, what direction are you traveling?

Compiled and designed by Drake Bear Stephen.
Note: Many symbols are universal and some were designed by others.
www.DrakeInnerprizes.com

 

Dictionary of Pride Flags and Identity Definitions

Tags

Gender, Sexuality

Many individuals do not like to be categorized or labeled in any way. I agree that labels may “box one in” but an individual’s self–identity is critical. We must know who we are. It is labels that translate our identity to language. The spirit world is a place in which souls can be fluid, boundary free, label–less, and uncategorized. However the purpose of incarnating on Earth is to experience dualities, polarities, and various points on a spectrum. From these experiences a soul learns balance.

Many new gender and sexual identity terms have been created in recent years. Some similar terms seem to have little to no differentiation between them. I believe that the new influx of terms is a result of individuals trying to describe their alternative identity. I suspect as individuals become more comfortable in gender fluidity, many of these labels will disappear and we will all simply assume our own unique identity that does not require a label. Perhaps eventually the various labels can be brought together under one acronym that represents the state of infinite choice that multiple identities provide – AGASI, Alternative Gender and Sexual Identity.

GENDER IDENTITIES

  Agender – An individual of any physical sex but with a null gender identity. (Same as Gender Neutral).

  Androgynous/Androgyne – An individual that has both male and female gender characteristics.

  Bigender (Ambigender) – A gender identity structure that allows for only two genders: male and female. Also may be an individual that lives a dual life of separate male and female roles including separate names, pronouns, social circles, and identities. Ambigender may also be interpreted as short for ambiguous gender.

Birth Assigned Sex – The anatomical sex as determined by biology or genetics. Not all babies are born with genitalia that can be clearly defined as either male or female. And not all babies develop a gender identity that matches their birth assigned sex.

  Boi (Boy) – A lesbian or gender–queer individual who identifies mostly with their male energy and presents as male in their appearance.

Cisgender – An individual whose gender identity and gender role matches their birth assigned sex. They fit well into the binary gender system. Cis is Latin for “on the same side” or “on this side of”.

  Demiboy – An individual who partially identifies as a boy or man, no matter what their assigned gender at birth is.

  Demigirl – An individual who partially identifies as a girl or woman, no matter what their birth assigned sex is.

  Drag (Crossdresser) – An individual that dresses in clothing opposite their birth assigned sex.

Eunuch – A male who has been castrated.

Female (Woman/Ciswoman) – An individual whose gender identity of female matches her birth assigned sex of female.

Femme – An individual, usually gay or lesbian, who exhibits stereotypical feminine traits, often in an exaggerated way.

  Gender Binary – A gender identity structure that allows for only two genders: male and female.

Gender Diversity – Individuals that do not identify as being either male or female but as a mix of both. A person may feel more male some days and more female other days or these individuals do not want to be classified as male or female. Other terms used are: ambigender, androgynous, creatively gendered, gender bender, gender blender, gender breaker, gender diverse, gender dysphoric, gender fairy, gender fluid, gender fuck, genderfree, gender chameleon, gender nonconformist, gender outlaw, gender queer, gender revolutionary, gender shapeshifter, gender transgressor, gender trickster, gender variant, gynandrous, human–gender, intergender, metagender, multigender, nongender, omnigender, pan–gender, per, polygender, third–gender, trans–androgynous, trans–variant, tweener, and variant expressive.

Gender Free – An individual that does not identify with the accepted definitions and standards of binary gender structures.

  Gender Fluid – An individual whose identity changes between male, female, and neutral.

Gender Identity – The way in which an individual expresses their gender. Sex is the biological classification of male or female. Gender is associated with the mental body and sex is associated with the physical body.

  Gender Neutral – An individual of any physical sex with a null (no) gender identity.

  Gender Nonbinary – A gender identity structure that embraces a rainbow of genders rather than just male and female.

  Gender Queer – An individual whose gender identity is different than that assigned at birth. These individuals may identify as both male and female, or as neither male nor female (genderless or agender).

Gender Questioning – An individual who is questioning their current gender identity, role, and/or expression.

Gender Variant (Gender Nonconforming) – An individual’s behavior or gender expression does not match the gender roles set by society for males and females.

Hermaphrodite – Obsolete term for intersexual.

Human–gender – An individual whose gender identity is not based on masculine or feminine characteristics but on the entire range of human characteristics.

Intergender – An individual who identifies across or beyond male/female gender ideals.

  Intersexual – An individual displaying ambiguous sexual characteristics of both male and female at birth. It is not proper to use this term as a noun or verb i.e. “intersexed”.

LGBT* – LGBT* is commonly used as an acronym for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community. Other letters that are frequently added are: “G” for Genderqueer, “T*” for Transgender, Transsexual, and Third Gender, “Q” for Queer and Questioning, “I” for Intersex, “A” for Ally, Asexual, Androgynous, and Autosexual, “P” for Pansexual, and “H” for Heterosexual, Hetero–flexible, and Homo–flexible.

Male (Man, Cisman) – An individual whose gender identity of male matches his birth assigned sex of male.

Metagender – An individual who has a tenuous connection to the concept of gender. Meta usually means “after” or “beyond”.

Multigender – Individuals with multiple gender identities such as nonbinary or trans*.

  Metrosexual – A heterosexual male who is focused on his personal grooming, wardrobe, and appearance.

  Neutrois – An individual that does not identify with gender and often feels that they fall neutrally between male and female. This non–gendered class includes agender, gender neutral, genderless, or having a null gender.
Neuter – An individual who has no sex or gender identification.

Nongender – An individual who has no gender identification.

Pangender (Polygendered, Omnigender) – An individual that possesses all genders. The term emphasizes there are more than only two genders.

PoMogendered – Short for “postmodernly gendered”, which means an individual has a non–orientation. They disregard gender and sexual labels altogether. From the book PoMoSexuals: Challenging Assumptions about Gender and Sexuality edited by Carol Queen and Lawrence Schimel.

Postgenderist – An individual whose social and political viewpoint supports the elimination of human gender identity and includes the advocacy of assistive reproductive technology.

Queen – A feminine gay man. May also be short for Drag Queen.
Third Gender – An individual that identifies as neither male nor female or as both male and female.

Tomboy – A girl who exhibits characteristics or behaviors considered typical of a boy.

Trans* – Trans with an asterisk is a relatively new label that represents an umbrella under which any variation that is not cisgender is represented. Identities that may be included are: agender, androgynous, bigender, gender fluid, genderqueer, intergender, multigender, nongender, transgender, transsexual, transwoman, transman, transvestite, third gender, and two spirit. There is some disagreement about whether the following identities are under the trans* umbrella: crossdresser, drag performer, drag queen, drag king, intersex, and transvestite fetishists. Trans is Latin for “on the other side” or “across”.

  Trans Ally – Cis individuals that support the Trans* community and activities.

Transandrogynous – An individual who identifies as trans* as well as exhibits neither or both masculine and feminine characteristics.

Transfeminine – An individual who was assigned male at birth but whose gender identity is more female than male. They often identify as feminine of center (more feminine than masculine).

  Transgender – An individual whose gender identity is different than the birth assigned sex. These individuals may or may not have taken steps to change their birth assigned sex. It is not proper to use this term as a noun or verb i.e. “transgendered”.

Transgenderist – An individual living or preferring to live in a gender role opposite their birth assigned sex. Usually refers to a transsexual who does not intend to have genital reassignment surgery or hormone therapy.

Transmasculine – An individual who was assigned female at birth but whose gender identity is more male than female. They often identify as masculine of center (more masculine than feminine).

  Transsexual – An individual that emotionally and psychologically feel that they belong to the opposite gender of their birth assigned gender. These individuals usually take steps to change their birth assigned sex through Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and Genital Reassignment Surgeries (GRS). Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) and Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS) are now considered obsolete terms by many. The correct terms are Gender Confirmation Surgery (GCS), Genital Reconstruction Surgery (GRS), or Genital Reassignment Surgery (GRS).

Transman (FTM, F2M) – A female–to–male trans* individual.

Transvestite – An individual that likes to dress and spend part time in the gender role that is opposite the birth assigned sex. These individuals do not desire to change their birth assigned sex. Transvestite is an obsolete term. The current term used is “crossdresser”.

Transwoman (MTR, M2F) – A male–to–female trans* individual.

  Trigender – An individual whose gender identity changes between male, female, and third gender.

  Twink – Boyish–looking, young gay man, typically aged 18–22, that may have some effeminate characteristics.

  Two Spirit – Gender queer individuals that fulfill mixed gender roles in Native American and Canadian First Nations groups.

SEXUAL IDENTITIES

AGASI – Acronym for Alternative Gender and Sexual Identity

Ambiphilia (Biphilia) – An individual that is sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to both masculinity (men) and femininity (women).

  Androphilia – An individual that is sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to men and masculinity.

Androgynephile – An individual that is sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to males and females.

  Asexual – An individual that feels little or no sexual attraction to anyone.

  Autochorissexual – An asexual individual that is disconnected from targets of arousal. They may experience sexual fantasies but lack the desire to be a participant in the sexual activities.

  Autosexual – An individual that prefers masturbation over other forms of sexual attraction.

Banjee – A young Latino, Black, or multiracial man, dressing in masculine urban fashion, who has sex with men.

Bicurious – An individual that is considering experimenting sexually with individuals of the same sex.

  Bisexual – An individual sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to both males and females.

Celibate – An individual who abstains from all sexual activity. These individuals can have any sexual orientation but do not act on it.

  Chameleosexual – An individual whose sexual role is dependent on what the gender orientation of their partner is. In other words, an individual that is sexually versatile depending on the gender of their partner. An example is an individual that plays the bottom (receptive) role when with male sexual partners and plays the top (active) role when with female sexual partners.

  Demisexual – An individual that does not feel sexual attraction until a strong emotional bond has formed.

 Ecosexual – Environmentally conscious individuals who recognize Mother Earth by acts of masturbating in nature, making love to Mother Earth,  marrying Earth or other natural elements, and/or using ecological and sustainable birth control, sex toys, and lubricants.

Ex–gay – An individual who changed their sexual orientation to heterosexual as a result of participating in ex–gay therapy.

  Gynephilia – An individual that is sexually attracted to women and femininity.

Heterosexual (Straight) – Male–identified individuals who are sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to females and female–identified individuals who are sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to males.

Hetero–Flexible – A heterosexual individual that is open to the possibilities of having a romantic, emotional, or sexual homosexual relationship.

  Homosexual (Gay) – A male–identified individual who is sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to other males.

Homo–Flexible – A homosexual individual that is open to the possibilities of having a romantic, emotional, or sexual heterosexual relationship.

  Lesbian – A female–identified individual who is sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to other females.

  Lipstick Lesbian – Lesbians that are within the feminine gender spectrum.

  Lithsexual – An individual that feels attraction but does not want the feeling returned in any way.

Monosexual – An individual that is sexually and romantically attracted to individuals that identify as one gender i.e. loving males (androphilia) or loving females (gynephilia).

Panphilia – An individual that is sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to individuals of all genders.

  Pansexual (Omnisexual, Multisexual) – An individual that is sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to individuals of all genders.

  Polyamorous – Individuals who desire or practice having more than one intimate partner at a time with the consent of all individuals involved.

Polysexual – An individual whose gender identity is non–binary and who is sexually, romantically, or emotionally attracted to individuals of all genders.

PoMosexual – Short for “postmodernly sexual”, which means an individual has a non–orientation. They disregard gender and sexual labels altogether. From the book PoMoSexuals: Challenging Assumptions about Gender and Sexuality edited by Carol Queen and Lawrence Schimel.

Queer – A reclaimed term that now refers to the sexual minority community or for marginalized groups of individuals.

Questioning – An individual who questions or is uncertain of their gender or sexual identity.

Sapiosexual – An individual who is romantically or sexually attracted to intelligence finding intellectual stimulation sexually arousing.

Sexual Identity/Sexual Orientation – The way in which an individual expresses their sexual and romantic interests. The term “sexual preference” is avoided as it infers identity is a choice.

Skoliosexual – An individual that is sexually or romantically attracted to individuals with non–binary gender identities.

Straight Ally – A heterosexual individual that supports the LGBT* community and activities.

Versatile – An individual who considers themselves to be sexually both a top (the giver) and a bottom (the receiver).

ROMANTIC IDENTITIES

Akoiromantic – An individual who has a romantic attraction which does not need to be reciprocated.

  Androgynoromantic (Androgyneromantic) – An individual who is romantically attracted to individuals expressing femininity and masculinity without implying the gender of the individual experiencing the attraction.

  Androromantic – An individual who is romantically attracted to individuals expressing masculinity.

  Aromantic (Antiromantic) – An individual that does not experience romantic attraction towards anyone.

  Biromantic – An individual who is romantically attracted to both males and females.

Cupioromantic – An individual who has desire for a romantic relationship despite not experiencing romantic attraction.

  Demiromantic – An individual that feels sexual attraction only after a strong emotional bond has been formed.

  Greyromantic – Greyromantic can be a blanket term for an individual who falls anywhere between Romantic and Aromantic. It is also an umbrella term that includes Lithromantics and Demiromantics.

Gynoromantic (Gyneromantic) – An individual who is romantically attracted to individuals expressing femininity.

  Heteroromantic – An individual who is romantically attracted to individuals with a gender other than their own.

  Homoromantic – An individual who is romantically attracted to individuals of the same gender.

Idemromantic – An individual who experiences romantic and platonic feelings in the same way.

  Lithromantic – An individual that feels attraction but does not want this feeling returned in any way.

  Monoromantic – An individual who is romantically attracted to individuals of only one gender identity.

  Neutroisromantic – An individual who is romantically attracted to individuals of null, non–gendered, or non–binary gender identity.

Panromantic (Omniromantic, Ambiromantic) – An individual who is romantically attracted to individuals with any gender including those expressing masculine, feminine, and intersex/third gender–mixing.

  Polyromantic – An individual who is romantically attracted to multiple, but not all, genders.

Quoiromantic – An individual who is unable to distinguish the difference between romantic and platonic feelings, or cannot define romantic attraction, therefore does not know whether or not they have experienced it.

Recipromantic – An individual who has a romantic attraction only after another individual is romantically attracted.

Requiesromantic – An individual who has little to no romantic attraction because of some mental or emotional exhaustion, likely due to bad experiences of romance in the past.

  Transromantic (Skolioromantic) – An individual who is romantically attracted to individuals of variant or ambiguous gender or to transgender or intersex individuals.

Wtfromantic – An individual who does not experience romanticism in the traditional manner but who cannot say they are fully aromantic or greyaromantic. The specific meanings of the identity is up to each individual. Wtfromantic is generally used as a catch–all term for individuals who fall in the category of semiromantic or alternatively romantic, but do not better fit into any other label.

RELATIONSHIP & SEXUALITY SUBCULTURES

  Bear – Husky, hirsute masculine gay men. Grizzly bears are extremely dominant and typically extremely tall, heavy, or hairy. Chubby bear are heavy set and hairy bears. Pocket bear are short bears. Polar bears are older bears with gray hair. Pandas are bears of Asian descent. Black bears are bears of African-American descent. Brown bears are bears of Latin descent. Koala bears are bears of Australian descent. Otters are hairy men who are lean and muscular. A wolf is a rugged and outdoorsy bear who is typically a biker. Daddy bear are mature bears who are often looking for a cub (younger man). A cub may also describe a bear’s husband/partner who fulfills the passive role in the sexual relationship. Chasers are men who are sexually attracted to heavy set gay men. Goldilocks is a female who hangs out with a group of bears.

  BDSM (Bondage Discipline Sadist Masochist) – A sexual subculture based on the erotic practices of bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sado/masochism.

  Bootblack – Individuals that practice or appreciate bootblacks, the caring for boots, shoes, and other leather apparel.

Boot Fetish – A sexual fetish dedicated to boots.

  Chav Fetish – A sexual fetish dedicated to Chavs or Charvers, meaning a young lower-class person who displays brash and loutish behavior and wears real or imitation designer clothes.

  Cowboy Fetish – A sexual fetish dedicated cowboys.

  Gay Cowboy – A sexual fetish dedicated gay cowboys.

  Fat Fetish – A sexual fetish dedicated to overweight individuals.

  Foot/Feet Fetish – A sexual fetish dedicated to feet and related fetishes (hosiery, footwear, foot jobs, submission, crushing, shrimping, etc.).

  Freak – Individuals with tattoos, piercings, body modifications, unique or strange outward appearances, and fetish wear.

  Furry Canine – Individuals who into anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics, particularly those of the dog family. Also known as Yiffy, Anthro or Morph community.

  Furry Feline – Individual who are into anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics, particularly those of the cat family. Also known as “Yiffy”, “Anthro” or “Morph” community.

  Gasmask Fetish – A sexual fetish dedicated to gas masks.

  Gothic Sexuality – Individuals into the gothic sex scene.

  Gay Gothic Sexuality – Gay individuals into the gothic sex scene.

  Leather – A sexual subculture based on styles of dress organized around sexual activities. Wearing leather garments is associated with BDSM (Bondage/Discipline, Dominance/Submission, Sado/Masochism).

  Longhaired Fetish – A fetish dedicated to longhairs.

  Master Slave – A BDSM subculture in which master/slave is a relationship in which one individual (the submissive) gives ultimate authority to another (the dominant).

  Military Uniform Fetish – A sexual fetish dedicated to military uniforms.

  Muscle – Individuals who are muscle enthusiasts or who have a fetish for muscular individuals or for building muscle mass.

  Ownership – A BDSM subculture in which master/slave is a relationship in which one individual (the submissive) gives ultimate authority to another (the dominant).

  Pony – Individuals into the pony scene.

  Puppy/Dog Play – Individuals into anthropomorphic dog characters with human personalities and characteristics.

  Rubber – A fetish dedicated to rubber or latex clothing and sheets.

  Skinhead Fetish – Individuals who are into skinhead culture.

  Gay Skinhead Fetish – Individuals who are into skinhead culture. (The gay skinhead culture is generally not racially biased.)

Switch – A BDSM subculture that represents the role of the Switch.

MISCELLANEOUS PRIDE FLAGS

  Human Rights Campaign – This organization works for LGBT rights.

  Marriage Equality – Legal recognition of same-sex marriages.

Compiled by Drake Bear Stephen.
Note: The only flag I personally designed is Chameleosexual and Ecosexual. All others were found from various sources.
www.DrakeInnerprizes.com

Soul Sex: The Alchemy of Gender and Sexuality

Tags

Gender, Sexuality

How does your gender and sexual identity define you? Find out in this guide for identity fluidity in the 21st century.

The soul, when not in human form, is a being of light and energy. It has no gender and no sexual orientation. Therefore, gender and sexual identities are constructs of incarnation created for learning purposes. The question, then, is why did each of us choose our specific gender and sexual orientation for this lifetime?

I offer fresh perspectives on gender and sexual identity, including biological, sociological, and psychological influences with an emphasis on spiritual impacts. Included are new concepts about gender fluidity and alternative sexual orientations. I have drawn on years of research and personal experience to create the broadest perspective of gender and sexual identity compiled in one volume.

Gender and sexual identity are two of the most basic but powerful aspects of our personal identity. These are the bedrocks upon which we build our self-concept and the lenses through which we view the world. Labels are not important but self-identity is critical to self-empowerment. This book illustrates how our identities are not set at fixed points but lay along ever-shifting continua. Here you will discover:

• How gender and sexual identities are created and why.
• How gender and sexual identities change throughout one lifetime or over multiple lifetimes.
• Theories on why a soul chooses its gender and sexual identity when incarnating.
• Introduction of the Energy Body.
• The history and mythology of Two Spirit and Third Gender cultures around the world.
• The real story of a “boy named Sue”: my life as a Four Spirit.

If you have questioned your gender and sexual identity or if you have never questioned your gender and sexual identity, this book is for you. This book is also for individuals who want a deeper understanding of gender and sexual identities, individuals who are improving their self-empowerment through identity ownership, individuals who are exploring identity fluidity, and students of gender and sexuality studies.

In Soul Sex, I offer a buffet of perspectives on gender, sexuality, and identity. You are invited to sample each of the dishes as food for thought.

Fluidity is the new identity of the 21st century.
Acceptance is the new morality.
Self-empowerment is the new mantra.

BOOK SPECS

ISBN#: Paper: 978-0-9862498-1-5
Electronic: 978-0-9862498-0-8

Library of Congress PCN#: 2015904369

Price & Publish Date: Paper: $24.00 April 1, 2015
Electronic: $9.95 May 1, 2015

Category: SOC 032000 Social Science: Gender Studies
PSY 016000 Psychology: Human Sexuality
REL 105000 Religion: Sexuality & Gender Studies

Length: 360 pages, 75,000 words, 50 illustrations

Format: 6” x 9” (h) x 0.75” (d) Trade Paperback

CONTENTS OF THE BOOK

Prologue: Switcheroo
The Real Story of a Boy Named Sue

Chapter 1: Introduction
Welcome to the Art & Soul of Gender & Sexuality

Chapter 2: Biology of Gender & Sexuality
The Forces of Nature

Chapter 3: Sociology & Psychology of Gender & Sexuality
The Forces of Nurture

Chapter 4: Spirituality of Gender & Sexuality
The Forces of the Spirit World

Chapter 5: The Energy Body & the Physical Body
The Layers of Body Consciousness

Chapter 6: Gender Identity
The Consciousness of Gender

Chapter 7: Sexual Identity
The Consciousness of Sexuality

Chapter 8: Changing Gender
Transitioning Gender & Sexual Orientation in One Lifetime

Chapter 9: Reincarnation
Transitioning Gender & Sexual Orientation over Multiple Lifetimes

Chapter 10: Two Spirits & 3rd Gender Cultures
Alternative Gender & Sexual Identities in Culture

Chapter 11: Self-Empowerment Support Services
Tools for Increasing Self-Knowledge & Belief in Self

Epilogue: Conclusion
Our Journey through the Sacred & Secular

Appendix: Reference Tools

• Passion Poems: The Author’s Trans*ition Poetry
• Inspirational Quotes
• Gender Diversity Etiquette
• Days to Commemorate Gender & Sexual Identity Diversity
• Glossary of Gender & Sexual Identity Terms
• Bibliography
• Index

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I am a Transpersonal Hypnotherapist and a Shamanic Energy Medicine Practitioner. I specialize in Past Life Regression Therapy. My background includes a 37-year career in telecommunications and a degree in art and psychology. I am a Four Spirit having lived as a bisexual in both female and male genders in this lifetime. I have been an intense student of metaphysics and spirituality for the past thirteen years.

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER

Soul Sex was published by Wisdom Weaver Press and printed in the United States.

HOW TO BUY THE BOOK

Soul Sex will be primarily available from online retailers. I recommend these two links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Sex-Alchemy-Gender-Sexuality/dp/0986249815/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427300989&sr=1-1&keywords=drake+bear+stephen

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soul-sex-drake-bear-stephen/1121538384?ean=9780986249815

If you are interested in a book signing or an author presentation of the book, contact the author by email at drakebearstephen@pacbell.net.

Ingram Book Group is the distributor for the book. They distribute printed books to 39,000 retailers, libraries, schools, internet commerce companies, and other channel partners, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. They also distribute to the Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. They distribute electronic books to every single major e-book retailer in the world including Amazon Kindle, iBooks, Nook, and Kobo.

QUOTES FROM THE BOOK

[Note: Permission to reprint a quote is provided as long as the source is cited as “Soul Sex: The Alchemy of Gender & Sexuality” by Drake Bear Stephen. Any other use is prohibited under the copyright laws.]

ABOUT GENDER & SEXUALITY

“Fluidity is the new identity of the 21st century.
Acceptance is the new morality.
Self-empowerment is the new mantra.”

“In Soul Sex, I am offering a buffet, from soup to nuts, of perspectives on gender, sexuality, and identity. I invite you to sample each of the dishes as food for thought.”

“Your genes determine what’s in your jeans (your biological body) but not what type of jeans you wear (your psychological identity).”

“The soul, when not incarnated, is a being of light and energy. It has no gender, no sex, and no sexual orientation. Gender and sexual identity are constructs of human incarnation. This means that the states of gender and sexual identity are created for the sole purpose of learning.”

“Gender identity is state of mind and not necessarily the physical state of the body. It drives social role and personal presentation. Sexual identity is a state of mind that drives the sexual activity of the physical body and the emotions of the heart.”

“Sexuality and gender are two of the most basic but powerful aspects of our personal identity. They are the bedrock upon which we build our self-concept and the lens through which we view the outer world.”

“A rose is a rose is a rose. But if a rose could talk, and it said it was not, would it still be a rose? This is the consciousness of identity.”

“The wonder of identity builds gender in 12 ways: psychologically, physically, professionally, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, biologically, legally, financially, aesthetically, ethically, and socially.”

“Although all individuals together make up a common tapestry, each of their lives is a unique and colorful thread. In Soul Sex we examine all of the independent threads of gender and sexuality to see how they weave together to create a beautiful textile.”

“Assuming a gender and sexual identity is not about putting on one outfit and wearing it for an entire lifetime. As outfits become outdated or outgrown, they can be discarded for new ones.”

“Gender is the prism that each one of us perceives others through in this physical world. It is the most observable quality about an individual.”

“We usually ‘read’ others’ gender from surface clues of the physical body, but an individual also has a gender energy that is not always as recognizable even though it is always present.”

“Gender and sexual identities are not caused but created. The creation of self-identity is complex, multi-dimensional, and made up of seen and unseen forces, including: biological, sociological, psychological, and spiritual factors.”

“Biology is no longer destiny due to the advances of Western medicine and surgical techniques. Now consciousness can power gender identity.”

“There are four major forces that shape the physical body: your genes, your hormones, time, and what you think of yourself.”

“21st century birth announcements should be non-gender specific and announce ‘Congratulations! It’s a human!’”

“Androgynous, intersex, and third gender individuals have been present from ancient times to modern times throughout the world. They are present in mythological and creation stories from many cultures and religions. Why then is a binary system of gender and sexual identity still the mainstream model in most cultures?”

“Non-conforming gender and sexual identities are gradually being eliminated from the books on mental disorders because these identities are natural and normal. Social awakening and subsequent law reforms are in progress to reflect the new consciousness of personal identity freedom and expression.”

“Picture your soul as a holographic globe with a continuum of sexual identity acting as longitude and a continuum of gender identity acting as latitude. Just as you can live at any longitude and latitude coordinates on Earth, you can be at any longitude and latitude of identity within the Soul. With free choice and fluidity of identity available to you at all times, you can spend an entire lifetime on one point or move from point to point throughout one lifetime.”

“Gender and sexuality are fluid and not permanently assigned at birth. It is possible for individuals to live outside of the two gender boxes of male and female. They can wake up each day and decide who they want to be at that moment in time.”

“Don’t assume that gender identity matches birth assigned sex. Modern etiquette practices should include asking an individual their preferred name and preferred pronoun.”

“We need to adapt our modern language to allow for non-gender specific pronouns that don’t keep us trapped in the old binary gender system.”

“Indigenous cultural perspectives that are based on a circular concept that all things are connected and interrelated seem to embrace the three or more gender classification systems more easily than Western cultural perspectives that are based on the linear concept that all things have a polar opposite and act independently of one another. These linear based belief systems perpetuate the binary sex system of only two legal gender statuses.”

“Because there are only two options at present, male or female, in binary gender systems, there is no place for individuals who have an identity that is both male and female or at some point between male and female. Yet the number of individuals who do not identify as either of the two legal choices is steadily on the rise.”

“Not all individuals with non-conforming gender identities are the same. Some individuals have a gender identity that is opposite of their birth assigned sex and take steps to transition the physical body to match their identity while others may have a gender identity that is somewhere between the male and female poles. These individuals make up the third gender.”

“How can people say it is unnatural to be somewhere between male and female? Picture a beautiful flower: the petals of its feminine genitalia enshroud the masculine phallus at its center.”

“Trans* individuals that live in a binary gender system are pressured to completely transit from one gender to the other. However, if there were a third gender option, how many might choose to remain at some identity between the two? How many truly embody characteristics of both male and female? Would more individuals be asking for both male and female genitalia? After all, wouldn’t that be the best of all worlds?”

“Past life experiences can have a big effect on current gender and sexual identities. In addition, a soul may change gender and sexual identity from one lifetime to another. The soul chooses specific identities to experience and learn for the purpose of growth.”

“The understanding, welcoming, and acceptance of trans* and intersex individuals as natural beings would change many lives in profound ways. Gone would be ostracism, shaming, stigmatizing, discrimination, bullying, and hate crimes perpetrated just because an individual is considered to be different.”

“I guess I am living the Reader’s Digest abridged version of fluid identity. I am a Four Spirit having lived a straight female-bodied individual; as a lesbian female-bodied individual; as a straight male-bodied individual; and as a gay male-bodied individual in one lifetime.”

“A transsexual’s emancipation proclamation is a custom made body. Surgery is one small step for a lifetime, one huge step towards freedom.”

“We should abandon classifying sexuality on the basis of an individual being attracted to someone like or opposite themselves. Individuals can identify their sexuality based on the object of their love i.e. andro-loving, gyno-loving, or pan-loving.”

“A chameleosexual is an individual whose sexual role is dependent on what the gender orientation of their partner is. In other words, an individual that is sexually versatile depending on the gender of their partner.”

“I’m not homo, hetero, bi, tri, or pan but simply sexual.”

ABOUT SELF-EMPOWERMENT

“Self-identity is self-knowledge. Self-knowledge accompanied with self-esteem creates self-empowerment.”

“If we scuttle the belief that we are victims, we realize that each of us is so powerful that we intentionally create our Earth identities for the specific purposes of learning and experience. The resulting wisdom is a gift to our soul.”

“No matter who you are or how you identify, you are exactly who you are supposed to be at this given moment in time. Your mission, if you so choose to accept it, is to recognize your self-worth, amplify your self-love, and step into your personal power.”

“Each one of us is a prize from the Universe to our Self and from our Self to the Universe. Your personal prize is as precious as diamonds, more valuable than gold, and the most beautiful rainbow ever seen.”

“Every individual has the sacred right to their identity. Identity is complex, multi-dimensional, and as unique to each individual as snowflakes are different.”

“The bottom line is that all things are possible in the world of energy. And our entire universe and all its multiple dimensions, known or unknown, consists of energy.”

“As you heal old wounds, cancel outdated vows and contracts, and create a luminous Energy Body, you are free to find the treasure you seek. It may be peace, empowerment, energy, health, creativity, prosperity, spirituality, or love. But I guarantee that by the end of your quest, you will find that you are the treasure!”

“Being compassionate doesn’t mean you need to walk a mile in my moccasins. It simply means walk a mile next to me. With respect.”

“Projections become reflections. The world is a mirror. Use it to your advantage. What belief, thoughts, words, and actions you project upon its shiny surface is none other than the very same beliefs, thoughts, words, and actions that are reflected back to you from others.”

“Like a kid in an identity shop, I am searching for the Holy Gail, that Wind of Life, on whose wings I can ride to peace.”

“Self-security is created by striking a balance of being in a power position (yang energy) and being in a peaceful place (yin energy).”

“Self-identity is self-empowerment.”

“The stronger an individual’s identity is, the more at peace they will be because owning one’s identity is empowering.”

“Self-empowerment consists of four steps: 1) Know Yourself. 2) Love Yourself. 3) Be Yourself. and 4) Share Yourself.”

“Most of us have experienced some form of trauma while growing up but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn to love ourselves, claim our power, and manifest a successful life. The possibilities all lie in the power of our perception.”

“The Golden Rule of Empowerment: Be true to yourself. And honor others for being true to themselves.”

ABOUT THE SOUL

“Our identities are created, like the perfect storm, when multiple forces converge on one physical body in one lifetime. These forces are divided into three aspects: the Physical (includes nature, hormones, DNA, and genes); the Mental/Emotional (includes nurturing, family, culture, society, and personality); and the Spiritual (includes astrology, past lives, karma, pre-life selection, and soul purpose).”

“In our current lives not only are we are working on the karma that we created in past lives but we are creating karma that will affect our future lives.”

“Our inability to accept differences in others has the power to destroy lives. Furthermore, karma being what it is, individuals that persecute others because of differences will be experiencing the other end of that persecution in a future life.”

“Duality is a construct where incarnated souls learn from experiencing polar opposites. But duality is also a spectrum with an infinite number of points between the polar opposites. We learn balance by traveling along the spectrum until we find the middle point.”

“What we see when we look in the mirror is what the world reflects back to us. We get what we believe we deserve. When we believe we are not good enough or deserve what we want, we block the flow of abundance, prosperity, and love. The more we love ourselves the more of our dreams we are able to manifest.”

“The only thing we can take with us out of this lifetime is the knowledge and wisdom that our soul acquires. So any gain we make in knowing ourselves will stay with us. These are the questions to ask in the quest for wisdom: Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going? What is my purpose? What are my gifts?”

“Perhaps my soul is really homeless because it has wandered through so many lifetimes in so many different cultures, creeds, genders, sexualities, and spiritualties.”

“A predominant characteristic of older souls is that they come onto the Earth plane with a sense of knowing. My message to old souls is, don’t let others shame you away from what you know even when you feel you are in a minority of one. Go with your gut instinct because it is the truth for you.”

“I was born in the 1950s where there was only the Black and White Way. There weren’t any Ifs, Ands, Buts, or Gray Areas allowed. Unfortunately, by the age of six, I knew I was not fitting in well with the Black and White Way. The 1960s introduced, and the 21st century is reinforcing, a replacement model for the Black and White Way. It is an inclusive Shades of Gray Way.”

“Shifting our perception from static to dynamic enables us to stop thinking in black and white and start thinking in the colorful multi-shades of the spectrum. This enables two-dimensional linear models that limit the human experience to transform into three-dimensional spherical models that are inclusive.”

“There is no such thing as ‘being born in the wrong body’. A soul may incarnate with a mismatch between identity and physical body for various reasons but it is not accidental. A soul sets the parameters of their life before incarnating. Realizing this changes an individual’s perspective from victimhood to self-empowerment.”

Copyright © 2015 Drake Bear Stephen. Except where acknowledged. www.DrakeInnerprizes.com