Been visiting some zoos recently and that had me thinking about gender expression. It seems to me that gender expression is the marketing package that we use to prove to the opposite sex that we will be a suitable mate.

In the animal kingdom, these displays might be a special vocal call, an intricate dance, construction of an elaborate nest, delivery of food to prove hunting prowess, or winning contests to achieve alpha status.

Humans have our own set of gender expressions that stereotypically attract members of the opposite sex. These behaviors have evolved over millions of years to help us get picked as mating partners. Essentially, we look and behave this way because that’s what the other person wants. It’s our marketing packaging.

I suspect that humans are the only species where some willingly become “gender non-conforming”. Likely any animal who didn’t sing, dance, deliver food, or make an effort to be chosen wouldn’t have offspring and would soon become an evolutionary dead-end.

I suspect that people who become “gender non-conforming” are probably just lazy. They might think they’re unattractive and don’t want to invest in themselves - eat healthy, exercise, develop intellectually, work hard, etc. They would rather pretend that they’re “special” and don’t need to play the game.

A hamburger, and an “appetizing non-conforming” hamburger.