With the knowledge that Janke identifies as trans and has experienced violence in multiple forms in response to this identification, I felt that their travels performing their musical project would in some way speak to issues for trans individuals during this crucial time for the queer community.

The idea that bisexuals are attracted to only two genders is an incredibly common stereotype of all bisexuals. Many people assume that the "bi" aspect of the word "bisexuality" implies a gender binary, and that those who identify as bisexual are only attracted to males and females.

True confessions: I had to call Father Toni Amato to get some help understanding the world of Sassafras Lowrey's Roving Pack. It's a world of transgender gutterpunks. The first word I knew. The second, not so much.

Why, in this day and age, is the term "bisexual" still a bad word with negative connotations? Why do those who may have identified as bisexual in the past feel the need to find other terms for their sexuality today?

Many thanks to you, sir, for your considered thoughts on gender correctness in last week's New York Times. It's a relief to know that "boys will be boys" (masculine, car-loving, toilet-fixing, lady-killing hunters) if parents get out of their own overly empathic, feminist-mind-controlled way.

Many of us are constantly putting ourselves and others in gender boxes that we just don't fit into, whether or not we identify as trans. This is not to negate the specific discrimination that trans-identified people experience daily and systemically, but gender oppression affects everyone.

Imagine a world where someone with a penis can wear dresses every day if this person desired. Gender-neutral bathrooms and department stores and professional sports become the rule rather than the exception to it. Children can play with whatever toys they prefer.

Are you male or female? For many people, answering this question doesn't cause a moment's hesitation. But for genderqueer people, this question isn't so easy to answer, and survey research that offers only two gender options may overlook genderqueer people's experiences altogether.

Some parents have tried to raise their kids without gender stereotypes, only to get accused of being hippies at best and downright abusive at worst. Tell me what's abusive about not shoving your kid into a box that says, "This is how you're supposed to act given your genitalia."

What gender-variant youth need are teachers who don't make assumptions, who ask lots of questions and then listen to the answers. Everyone is different. When a kid tells you what's important to them, that's what they want you to do.

Analyzing our obsession with the union of gender expression and biology, it becomes clear that there is not space for people unwilling to live within this oppressive gender binary. Transgender identities are often accepted only when they comply with cookie-cutter definitions of "male" and "female."