By Melissa Faliveno — 2020
Melissa Faliveno reflects on the insufficiencies of words like “bisexual” and “queer.”
Read on www.esquire.com
CLEAR ALL
By the time you reach your 30s, you think you know yourself—your likes, your dislikes, what inspires you, what makes you tick. But there I was, at 36 years old, realizing I didn't know myself at all.
So many of the little rituals I have each day—like my makeup or skincare routine—do help soothe and/or rejuvenate me. For me, any type of solo practiced routine is good. But I’ve learned that self-care does not, and cannot, sustain me. And I believe that this may be the case for many of you.
I hear repeatedly that women, people of color, and others whose identities differ from the dominant culture, feel relentless pressure to hide aspects of their identities and conform in order to be accepted, to “fit in,” and to succeed.
1
More and more women are discovering after years of marriage to men, and having had children, that they are lesbians. Were they always—or is sexuality more fluid?
These black women and gender-nonconforming individuals have created a space for other young girls and nonbinary persons to feel seen and heard.
Treatment for breast cancer is difficult for any woman, but for a lesbian, it can be especially difficult.
She likes pink, will dance to Blurred Lines, occasionally fakes an orgasm… and worries that the sisterhood would not approve. America’s brightest new essayist talks about the dark side of her fierce, funny writing.
From remembering birthdays to offering service with a smile, life has a layer of daily responsibility that is hardly discussed—one which falls disproportionately on women. Finally confronting it could be a revolutionary step.
Hand-wringing about the sanctity of women’s sports reflects an unwillingness to understand what it truly means to be transgender.
Should you let that comment slide, or address it head on? Is it more harm than it’s worth? We can help.