It’s a Girl! It’s a Boy! And for the Gender-Reveal Cake, It May Be the End

[conuly]

Oddly, this article doesn't much touch on the fact that the gender essentialism of many of these cakes is damaging for everybody. Pink or blue is one thing, but determining your unborn child's hobbies and interests based on their private parts is just weird.

When people who post their videos and photos of gender-reveal parties on Instagram accidentally tag the Gender Reveal podcast, Mx. Woodstock sometimes uses it as an opportunity to provide a little education. “I might say, ‘This is a convenient time to remind you that the genitals of your baby don’t determine the baby’s gender.’”

The poster usually removes the tag and blocks the podcast’s account.

LOL, yeah, I bet they do.

From the comments: I guess today some would have us bring up our children with no gender and just "let the child decide" at some point? I guess genital difference would be treated like blue or brown eyes, blond or dark hair.

I mean, yeah, that sounds good to me? What exactly are you imagining as the alternative here? Intoning "YOU ARE A BOY. YOU HAVE A PENIS. YOU MUST LIKE FOOTBALL. BALLET IS GROSS. DON'T BE A SISSY" every night?

Also, for everybody reading along at home: Yes, reveal is a noun. It has been used as an English-language noun with the present meaning since at least the 1600s. Nouns and verbs in English are pretty flexible anyway, but this has long precedent. Look it up.

Edit: Bonus comic repost!

Comments

[conuly]

What does she think the downside is?

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

Probably that she'd have to think more about birthday presents than Girl or Boy.

"Your child was invited to this party. They probably know something about the birthday child."

"Nope, I buy gifts well before I know who is getting them."

[conuly]

LOL. I say that all the time to people who post asking what to get "a five year old girl" or, worse, "my dad, who is 65". Like, just ask? They'll tell you!

[rhoda_rants]

This makes me think of those weird pearl-clutchy macros with a picture of like a visibly queer person hanging out at a bus stop or something and the caption is "THIS IS THE FUTURE LIBERALS WANT!" And um, okay? Congratulations on correctly identifying the goals? What about this frightens you, seriously?

[conuly]

Public transportation widely available, I wants it.