10 X Editions

Lynn Johnson -- Gender

SPECIAL FUNDRAISER 

all profits go to support causes working  

with transgender children 

You need only look up to see that nature leans toward diversity— a celebration of the infinitely varied middle.  

Gender identity is a natural path based on many factors—genetics, hormones, environment, and culture.  

Self-harm in gender non-conforming youth—including a 52% higher suicide attempt rate—is  

rooted in discrimination and bullying in both intimate and societal life.  

  

What better defense against the resurgence of gender bias than building confidence in one’s essential identity,  

wherever you live on the gender spectrum. 

  

All the funds generated by 10X Gender are a contribution to an organization—born of a private mission to save a daughter—grown to a program that helps instill a critical sense of belonging in gender diverse children at a vulnerable time of discovery.  

  

These images, originally for National Geographic, are a mere glimpse into the complex stories of those who have the courage to make themselves visible. Please consider their lives. Perhaps someday courage will not be necessary to simply be one’s self. 

-- Lynn Johnson 

 

PLEASE NOTE: BECAUSE THIS IS A FUNDRAISER,  

GENDER IS PRINTED IN A 

SPECIAL EDITION OF 150: 

BOOKS 1-100 INCLUDE A SIGNED 4X6 PRINT (IMAGE #1 OR IMAGE #4 BELOW; ARTIST WILL CHOOSE) AND ARE AVAILABLE AT $50 A BOOK + $5 SHIPPING U.S. 

$10 SHIPPING OUTSIDE THE US 

BOOKS 101-150 ARE AVAILABLE AT $25 A BOOK  

+ $5 SHIPPING U.S. --$10 OUTSIDE THE US 

BOOKS 101-150 DO NOT INCLUDE A SIGNED PRINT 

 

**TO PURCHASE: SEND PAYMENT TO SARATERRY13@GMAIL.COM, USING "SEND MONEY TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY" BUTTON (TO AVOID PAYPAL FEES) 

 

  • IMG_4694
  • 7-1 thru 8-2016Paul Vasey, Researcherpaul.vasey@uleth.caSamoa—Fa’afafine CultureThe militancy of Trans-youth is not present here, nor is the shame or schoolyard bullying. Boys and men who identify as Fa’afafine, Samoa’s third gender, do not have to hide. Fa’afafine are effeminate boys who grow up to be specifically— Fa’afafine —not gay or trans or gender non-binary. They perceive themselves primarily as females attracted almost exclusively to “straight” men. As children they are appreciated for their hard work, intelligence and creative ways. Mothers love them. Fathers sometimes are less enthusiastic (there were stories from about 50% of the Fa’afafines of paternal beatings or forcing them out of the home). Most fathers come around when their child begins to show promise, earn money or excel in education.Judgment is most harsh in conservative religious households. There is a strong Christian presence in Samoa.Power of cultural context – such an androphilic boy would be considered gay or transgender in western society but here there is an actual cultural space for these children. Thus there are no gay or trans clubs. Fa’afafine are simply everywhere. Their role in Samoan society is a hybrid. They contribute to the household in many ways from kitchen duty to child-care to helping dad do Sunday rituals specifically as a son. They do not consider themselves gay or transgender – most do say they are either female or both. There is little urgency to change the body though some do take hormones or silicone injections to create female breasts or curves. According to Paul Vasey, Canadian TK who has studied Fa’afafine for 15 years, “changing their genitals would not change their status in Samoan society. They would still be Fa’afafine.”  He also says, “Unlike in an individualistic society (like the U.S.), in a collective society you can’t throw people away. Fa’afafine have clear purpose here.” In the U.S. childhood feminized behavior in a boy would mark him as gay. In Samoa, the same traits would protect him as fa’afafine. Once so labeled, a system of behavior toward the child ensues. How would this influence his gender identity?If he is fafa – he will take on that role but if he is not, if he is only exploring as children do, then he will grow naturally in another direction. Generally, there is no cultural agenda – merely a cultural space available. ------------*Mandy Seve, 10, and Sandy Malua, 11 are best friends. They are bound by their fa’afafine identity, their love of dresses and dancing. Mandy helps care for younger siblings and Sandy can dance in 4 inch electric blue heels. Both kids say they feel like girls – they are not both, but girls. They alternately wear shorts and T-shirts or lavalava wraps or frilly dresses – whatever they fancy at the moment. There is a tenderness between them.Mandy’s mom knew at 2 that he was fafa and she was thrilled. Someone to help around the house! The younger children know Sandy Malua as Auntie. Her mom says they have the best of both boy and girl in Sandy. She helps around the house sweeping and doing laundry and helps her father as a son would traditionally – collecting of ingredients for the family Sunday meal—Umu.Some of the qualities and behavior that help families identify fafa children (in fact many trans or gender creative children) are: They play with children of the gender they identify as, they are attracted to traditional Girl pastimes.
  • 5-6/7-16  Gainesville FlaEmma MacDonald was born intersex. She has physical characteristics of both male and female. She is officially mosaic XY/XO, a rare condition – 1 in 2000 live births. She is an intensely shy child and one can see her mind exploring even as she paces around her grandmother’s living room—moving in circles and pondering. Many intersex children are assigned female at birth surgically. Emma’s parents chose the least invasive surgery that would ensure her health. She is seen with her mother, grandmother and in her room where she is constructing an elaborate story about o“otherness” using little ponies as the characters.
  • 5-12/13-16  Forest Hills, NYElizabeth Goldstein, 14, sees herself moving on the gender spectrum from female to male and her gender expression reflects that. With the help of her mother, Jane Sanders, she has started hormones to suppress her puberty and is transforming her look with haircut and fashion that most resembles male. She exhibits little fear in her daily life or in the classroom where she practices her public speaking
  • 7-20 & 22-16Dave Scott (father) 413-835-1122Oti Baggott and her father David Scott have spent most of her life growing together in unexpected ways. Oti is 9 and presented as gender non-confirming as early as 2. She is a daredevil. She has now fully transitioned to trans in every way but her body. Her parents, David and Julianna Baggott (well known fiction writer and still a bit nervous about being included in this story) have raised all their 4 children with the same spirit of encouraged creativity. Julianna said her pregnancy was normal but for gestational diabetes and a wild upswing in her endocrine system with hypothyroidism. She also said she knew she had a trans son and not a gay son when Oti tried to make a skirt out of shorts by putting both her legs through one pant leg of her shorts.Oti is pondering her girl names. Under consideration are: Ruby, Maeve, Cordelia, Eliza, Tess.Dave considers Oti his Ghandi and Mother Teresa. She has made him a better and more compassionate person. More TK
  • IMG_4697
  • IMG_4696
  • Home
  • Lynn Johnson -- Gender
  • Nicole Franco -- Mexican Diary
  • Carolina Arantes -- Holy Cow
  • Sara Terry -- So That's Where They Hide
  • Loulou d'Aki -- Kabul: Long, Long Days and Quiet Nights
  • Sara Naomi Lewkowicz -- It's Complicated
  • James Whitlow Delano -- Alone
  • SALE TITLES-- 1/2 off w/purchase of full-price book
    • Zoshia Minto -- @EverydayAmericanMuslim
    • Olivier Laurent -- Selfies, Found
    • Zackary Canepari -- Flint is a place
    • Sara Terry -- Spring is My Sweetheart
    • Sara Terry -- #peteandeddie
    • Ed Kashi -- Imperfectly Invisible
    • Donald Weber -- One Way Children
    • Sarah Leen -- True North
    • Daniella Zalcman -- Diggers
  • SOLD OUT Titles
    • Pamela Chen -- Apollo and Bean
    • Paolo Verzone -- A Manifesto of Disorder
    • Ami Vitale -- Co-Exist
    • David Guttenfelder -- American Songs
    • Maja Daniels -- Into Oblivion
    • Peter DiCampo -- The Place Where I Always Begin
    • Maggie Steber -- The Secret Garden of Lily LaPalma
    • Danny Wilcox Frazier -- #outinthesticks
  • SARA TERRY Titles
    • Sara Terry Printed Titles
    • Singles A
    • Doubles
    • Multiples
    • I Spy
    • Elvis in the Tree
    • In Circles
    • Space. The Final Frontier
    • Ugitsinda
    • #lovingparis
    • The Light in L.A.
    • Sara Terry Handmade Accordion Books
  • Guest Artist Handmade Accordion Books
  • Special Projects: Forgiveness and Conflict
    • Forgiveness and Conflict Artist's Book
    • Forgiveness and Conflict Trade Edition
  • Prints for Sale
  • About Me
  • Reviews/Press
  • Purchase a Book

Site design © 2010-2025 Neon Sky Creative Media