Welcome. Thank you for joining in this community-shared project.

(What's this about ? We hope to cultivate understanding and empathy. See brief explanation on the FAQ page, or a full description on the About page.)

Explore a wide range of experiences in these stories. With some, you'll think "Yes, that's familiar, and feels right to me." Other stories may surprise you: "Whoa ! I never realized how that impacts some people."

Please take a few minutes to Read stories, then Add your own. When we share our personal stories, and truly listen to each other, empathy and understanding can replace discord.

(Content warning: although moderators review each submission, a broad spectrum of perspectives are on view. Balance your reading with reflection and self-care.)

Thanks for being a thoughtful, open-minded reader, and for adding your story to the mix. A few sample stories appear below.

I fear not being given the chance to communicate, understand, and be understood.

Dance has been such a joy and contributor to my mental health. I wish dances were just about dancing and not about semantics. As a non-binary person with two X chromosomes, I want to dance and turn off my gender…

All Language Recommended

It signaled to me that this was a safe space where anyone was welcome

When I first started contra dancing a few months ago, I happened to be at the same time in the process of questioning my gender. During the pandemic I spent a lot of time alone (as did we all) and…

All Language Recommended

I know there are other people in the room I care about deeply, who feel exactly the opposite about traditional roles and terms, and have valid feelings too

Only a few years ago I thought, gendered role terms, what the big deal? It is just like putting on a costume for a play or a silly hat for a tea party! It has nothing to do with who…

All Language Recommended

Gender-balancing policies locked them out…

I remember the distress of female friends who missed-out on attending balls, weekends, or weeks at Pinewoods, because gender-balancing policies (requiring a 1:1 balance of men and women) locked them out. In those days, there was often extra space at…

All Recommended

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Welcome. Thank you for joining in this community-shared project.

(What's this about ? We hope to cultivate understanding and empathy. See brief explanation on the FAQ page, or a full description on the About page.)

Explore a wide range of experiences in these stories. With some, you'll think "Yes, that's familiar, and feels right to me." Other stories may surprise you: "Whoa ! I never realized how that impacts some people."

Please take a few minutes to Read stories, then Add your own. When we share our personal stories, and truly listen to each other, empathy and understanding can replace discord.

(Content warning: although moderators review each submission, a broad spectrum of perspectives are on view. Balance your reading with reflection and self-care.)

Thanks for being a thoughtful, open-minded reader, and for adding your story to the mix. A few sample stories appear below.