Caitlin Tefend- Gender

When I was younger, I was raised as a Catholic. There was no talk about anything other that boy and girl. When you were born you came out a boy or a girl and that was the end of it. Boys liked girls, and girls liked boys.I grew up always thinking that, until about sophomore year of highschool. “We assume many things about gender, and we don’t even know exactly what it means” (Silverman and Rader 428).  My best friend began to show an interest in the same sex. I knew about lesbians and gays and things of that nature, but I had never experienced it. My best friend was one to always have a boyfriend. She was beautiful, and boys seemed to be drawn to her. She was in a relationship that was going great until she was cheated on and found out. The obviously broke up when she found out, because she did not take too well to things like that. She had been cheated on before, so this last relationship was the last straw. She threw in the towel and said to me “that’s it, I quit, from now on, I date girls.” At first I thought she was joking, but to my surprise she was not. She has continued to like girls and has had no further relations with any man. I feel that people can change. I don’t think you are born to like girls or boys or anything, I think your enviornment changes you into what you want. She now dresses like a boy, and wants to be one, soo I guess you could say shes….well I’m not even exactly sure haha. Anyways, I think people should be able to be what they want to be, and that society influences things such as gender everyday.

-Caitlin T