Universality in gender is a concept that can at the same time be true, false, to that which we strive, and to that which we purposefully shun. What I mean to say is that it is a broad concept that has a multitude of meanings to a multitude of people. As many scientists have pointed out, at a biological level we are all essentially 50% men and 50% women. And I'm not talking about global dichotomies of the sexes, I'm saying each one of us carries those chromosomes around. In essence we are all born way more gender fluid than we give ourselves credit for. But then here like, comes society man and like totally ruins it (blows through a paper towel tube covered in drier sheets)
But it's true isn't it? In this crapshoot called life so much of our identity hinges on where the cosmos decides we're going to pop out. By that I mean that relatively little is determined in the womb regarding full realizations of gender or sexuality and instead it is our social conditioning and structure that lends the biggest hand in determining how we view ourselves. We still really love that old Aristotle tradition of dialectic reasoning, pitting one side against the other to 'organize' society, and ideas of gender and sexuality are part in parcel to that tradition. Much of what I'll call 'traditional' gender identification that we are taught in this country for example are remnants of Victorian era medical theory, which is to say, very fucking out dated.
To liberal minded individuals such as myself, peering at the American landscape it is accurate to say that much of our current viewpoints on gender norms and sexuality are perilously outdated. We are all too familiar with the data proving women on average earn 20% less than men for the same job, with the marginalization of women in media, with the lack of representation in political life etc. etc.
All of these disappointing realities go to illustrate the reality in which we live; a Victorian-era hangover of antiquated gender norms that have proven difficult for many societies to buck.
One of the more interesting/depressing aspects to this conversation to me is observing the backlash from the hegemonic power structure that feels under attack. In America this is the white middle class straight male, but in other countries the race might change, but the gender norm remains constant. This is an unsurprising reaction but one that must be countered at every opportunity if we are to ever reach a place of true 'universality'. Here are a couple examples of what I mean- notice the desperate cling to old patriarchal hegemony- much the same as MAGA enthusiasts hearken back to the good old days of....what exactly? Jim Crow laws? But I digress.
Noticeable in it's slick production this is an all too common use of logical fallacy used to undermine the notion of universality and attempt to show the 'danger' of inclusiveness. Obviously it fails to show the true perspective of any real segment of society that feels justifiably marginalized by the current hegemonic patriarchy that Western society is fundamentally based on. But the fact that these videos are being produced should be viewed I feel in a positive light- the power structure is being disrupted.
So in terms of universality I don't feel we have reached a point that we can claim that any one play serves that purpose. Unfortunately the climb towards a more universal understanding of gender, sexuality, race et. al still in it's early throes in this country. Anytime you take on an all-encompassing power structure any work created to counter those norms will purposefully and intentionally not be universal. It is understood that the narrative must continue to be widened, defined, vocalized, internalized and hopefully normalized. It is that process that perhaps can someday lead to universality.
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