Genderqueer and girls' schools.

<p>I'm a person who's sex is female, but I don't identify as a girl- not as a guy either, just no gender (or both genders if you want to look it at that way). There are a few girls' schools that look like good options for me, but the problem is that they ARE meant for girls only. Would I be cheating myself and/or my classmates if I hypothetically attended one of these schools?</p>

<p>If you are gender neutral, but you are anatomically a female I see no reason not to apply to these colleges. They are constantly looking to increase their diversity. Be honest with yourself and be honest with the colleges. Be proud of you and good luck!!</p>

<p>But I’m still not a girl…I don’t think sex is related to gender, so it really doesn’t matter to me that I am in ownership of a vagina. People who go to all girls schools: Would you find it offensive if a gender neutral person attended your university?</p>

<p>Nope! You got to choose a side. Them’s the rules!</p>

<p>@sosomenza- LOL I’m liking this whole gig now!</p>

<p>Take a close look at some of those schools - Smith, for example, put forth a “gender neutral” policy about 10 years ago. You might find some helpful information if you dig deeply there.</p>

<p>I have actually heard of several trans students (FTM) who transitioned while at Smith, so I think that gives you an answer for there. It will probably depend on the specific school - Smith is known as being extremely queer-friendly, but others may be less so.</p>

<p>Women’s colleges - girls’ schools are K-12.</p>

<p>If you are anatomically a female, then you can apply to any women’s college. The question is, will you feel comfortable in a space that is designated a “women’s college” and in a space where you will be continually labeled as a woman because you go there? Some women’s colleges are more friendly to gender neutral students than others. That will be important to investigate before hand.</p>

<p>I would not have all minded if a gender neutral student attended my women’s college. My way of thinking is that a women’s college is a place for non-cisgendered-male people who feel comfortable being in a woman-friendly, woman-centric environment.</p>

<p>I know for a fact that there are a few transgendered students at Barnard (I know of FTM students there, but I’m sure there are MTF students there too) and Barnard seems quite open to gender neutral students. And Columbia/Barnard has a thriving queer student community.</p>

<p>You are a female in terms of DNA and anatomy. Can change the anatomy in time, but without a bone marrow transplant, you will always be genetically female and even then there will be cells so identified. But when it comes to applying to a woman’s college, I don’t think it would be a problem. You’d have issues at the military academies and Wabash College, but all female schools, not likely. But do check out the atmosphere at the school.</p>

<p>Any reason why you don’t want to go to a coed school where you can partake of both gender opportunities? By going to an all female school, you are reestablishing your female identity in that there are hardly any, if any male students there. They would not take you (or anyone, for that matter) who out and out states “male” as the gender. That you are identifying yourself as non male is why you are even in consideration for these schools.</p>

<p>Why would they be offended? The truth is that it wouldn’t cross most people’s minds to speculate on anyone’s gender neutrality, so unless you intend to go around broadcasting the news I fail to see how someone can be offended. Even if you do broadcast it I suspect most people wouldn’t care or even bother to try and fully understand.</p>

<p>I agree with cptofthehouse, if you are truly gender neutral then the overall gender population of the school is irrelevant.</p>

<p>Actually, I did not mean what you seem to think I was implying in my post Vinceh. If this student is truly gender neutral I don’t understand why an all female college is a draw for him/her. Go to a coed school where things are there for both genders. The whole purpose of an all female school is to cater to that gender. You will find zero males there unless through some fluke since such schools discriminate against half the population by not permitting anyone who is male from attending. So by going to such a school, you are picking a gender despite all claims that you are not. You’ll be practically the only non female at the school. Is that what you want? If you go to a coed school, you’ll find many adrogynous people who are at various places on the gender spectrum, though is is rare to find anyone deciding to be officially of no gender. If you are not a female, why are you interested in those schools that are all female by definition, was and is my quesiton.</p>

<p>I think an all woman’s college is a good environment for a gender neutral person. The still existing seven sister schools are very accepting of a wide spectrum of LGTB folks and there won’t be the pressure to “identify” yourself as their may be at a coed school. It will be a non-issue. At a co-ed school more pressure might exist to announce your identity.</p>

<p>Smith and Mt. Holyoke come to mind, however as the above poster says, Barnard is a good choice, too. An advantage of Barnard is that Columbia housing is a possibility after frosh year, and if you ever want to be in a more coed community, you can be.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>