How Gender-Savvy Are You?

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c) We're force-fed gender by a conspiracy of science, law, and the media. Oliver Stone should make a movie about this.

d) I do.

10. OK, what's your gender?

a) Oh, please. I'm a real man/real woman.

b) Well, I'm a biological man/woman.

c) I was afraid I'd be asked this question. I'm just not sure anymore.

d) Fiddle-de-dee . . . tomorrow is another gender.

There. That wasn't so difficult, was it? Now, let's see how you score. Yes, it's a fairly accurate quiz, but please remember: It's only aptitude we're measuring here, and, like any aptitude, it can be changed with a little work.

Give yourself 5 points for every (a) answer, 3 for each (b), 1 for every (c), and 0 for (d). Add it up and check the scale below to find your Instant Gender Aptitude.

Your Instant Gender Aptitude 

0-15 Gender Freak

This was child's play for you, wasn't it? But aren't you delighted to see all this stuff appearing in mainstream culture? Maybe it's time for you to break into a mainstream world, as freaky as you are.

16-25 Gender Outlaw

Honey, you're too far gone to make the climb back up to "real" man or "real" woman. Your next step would be to let yourself explore some of the places that really thrill you, no matter the social taboos. Just be kind and compassionate when you're doing it, OK?

26-35 Gender Novice

You're not always taken for "normal," are you? And this gender stuff is probably kinda new to you . . . a little scary and a little thrilling, right? Maybe it's time to explore exactly what scares you. Go on . . . you know how to be gentle with yourself.

36-45 Well-Gendered

Look, I know this gender-as-construct-or-performance stuff might sound weird, but the world is changing. Maybe someone in your own family or circle of friends or co-workers is exploring gender. It would probably pay off to study more of this stuff, if only to help you get along with them, and to keep up with people who are going to be living more and more outside gendered "norms."

46-50 You're Captain James T. Kirk!

Omigod . . . I've always wanted to meet you! Look, when you boldly go where no man has gone before, it's us freaks you're going to meet up with. Honey, we are what makes life worth exploring.

Transgender activist Kate Bornstein is the author of My Gender Workbook: How to Become a Real Man, a Real Woman, the Real You, or Something Else Entirely Routledge, 1998).

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