“I Don’t Believe Bread Is Gendered”
That’s how I told my cousin I’m non-binary at her mom’s shiva
My 93-year-old aunt died last week. The day before, a text from my cousin, who’s a year younger than me, provided advanced warning that she probably wasn’t going to make it.
I felt an obligation to attend this shiva (the Jewish version of a wake to celebrate the life of someone who passed), especially since I’m 66 and I come from a small family.
Taking in the news, although not unexpected, I wanted to use this sad occasion to tell this cousin the impact something she said at my father’s funeral had on me four and half years ago: “I never realized how much you looked like your mother!”
That simple sentence basically cracked my gender-questioning egg, resulting in me a year later concluding that I’ve been non-binary and didn’t know it.
How that conversation ensued a week ago Sunday was surreal to say the least (see the headline and subtitle), and perfect timing considering this Non-Binary Awareness Week.
Even though my cousin and her slightly younger sister are “Facebook friends,” they…
