Oldie about Gender

[kengr]

Watching a Star Trek: TNG episode I haven't seen since it was first aired: The Outcast (season 5, episode 17)

It's about a planet were there is no gender and the way they react to those of their people who feel that they are male or female.

At the time (over 15 years ago) I thought it was a typical Trek parable. In this case using the folks who wanted to be male or female as a metaphor for how we treated homosexuals (up to and including treatments to "cure" them).

Now I see some unintended elements that apply to TG folks as well.

Comments

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[kengr]

I took so long to respond because I was having trouble making myself watch the rest of the episode.

It was Riker, the attraction was mutual. And the "neuter" was a "throwback" who thought of *herself* as female.

And the "female" was considered a "pervert" and "sick" by her people. Who "cured" her and made her think it was the right thing to do.

The speech she gave in her defense at her "trial" would make a good one for GLBT folks.

And the ending is a good argument against psychiatric treatment that is justified on the basis of "retroactive consent".

If you've got a relatively recent DVD player, I could burn it to a VCD for you. (at 350 meg for the AVI file, it's a bit large for yousendit)

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[kengr]

Well, a video CD can be played in a CD drive. If you've got the right drivers. But it also is playable in DVD players (at least ones new enough to accept burned CDs and DVDs).

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[kengr]

As I recall, I was able to play stuff ok on a 300 Mhz PC. I'm certain a 500 Mhz one could. Then again, I suspect you are runniung stuff that's older than that.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[kengr]

You might want to download this:
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

It'll tell you a *lot* about what's in your system, both hardware and software.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[kengr]

Ah. My solution to that is usually things like drive transplants. :-)

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[roxy12.livejournal.com]

Hi kengr,

I just noticed today that you had friended me and thought I would come on over and check you out and I LOVE your website. I would love to add you as a friend on my other journal rather than this one but would like you to email me instead so I can send you the url because I would like to keep that private.

Thanks!

[kengr]

I sent you a reply at your LJ address from Brooke's email