#ciswap

@main-exam

genderbent Hogwarts au

So in the past few months I've been reading quite a few posts that have some very legit critiques of the "genderbend" trope. It's one of those umbrella terms for many many different types of works within, and not all of them are trying to do the same thing with characters (or within a media format).

Since I've come to terms that "genderbend" is a really problematic term to use for works within this trope, I'd first like to list some types of works within the trope, and then list some suggested alternative terms I've read around here and the internet.

Types of Works (not an exhaustive list):

media where a cis male character is drawn as a cis female. (includes changes in wardrobe or no changes in wardrobe)

media were a cis dude, through an incident of plot, changes sex, and has to adapt or accept it or struggle for whatever reason.

media were the character has always been of a different sex and/or gender and/or expressed gender

media where some aspect of the original character's sex/gender/gender expression is changed.

etc.

Now, these are a few of the terms that I have seen as propositions to replace "genderbend" in some/all of these instances.

CisBend/CisSwap (for cases where it applies)

Presentation Bend 

SexBend (I find this one problematic, but need help articulating why)

Presentation Play (something about the word "play" bothers me...idek)

Body Bend (where it applies)

Binary swap (used where cisbend applies, that's my understanding)

Alternative Physicality Verse 

Spectrum Slide (the only term I've found that tries to encapsulate it all)

I've been looking at this list for a while, and there's stuff that bothers me and other stuff that I'm just not sure about. This is a call out for people to give me their opinions on the terms I've seen, and to give me alternatives if they've found any. I'm open to hearing critiques of the alternatives I've listed. I'm not advocating for the use of any one in particular. 

If you feel you need a better understanding of why "genderbend" is problematic, please do a google search (or go through tumblr search). This is not because I don't want to tell you, it's that many other people have done a way better job of explaining than I ever could.