Now a 25-year-old transgirl living in New York City, but I still remember when Wikipedia changed my life in Singapore at the age of 14 in 2004, when the world still perceived me "boy". I have been on hormone replacement therapy (male-to-female) since March 1 2013. I attended the University of Virginia from August 2008 to May 2013, where I studied biochemistry, evolution and ecology, and physics.
I am a mental health activist, especially with regards to child abuse, bipolar disorder and PTSD. I am also a social justice activist, but I think activists can be neutral editors. I am advocate for celebrating neurodiversity rather than trying to pathologize it. I've been genotyped by 23andMe, in which I confirmed I have a Y chromosome, but they don't do karyotyping so I haven't been able to confirm that I have Klinefelter's syndrome (47-XXY), because even before hormones I was tall, had large hips, and had a feminine appearance with large hips. Two doctors have told me that they doubt I have Klinefelter's, because of my "intelligence" -- but one person I met in college had Klinefelter's and he was actually pretty innovative and ambitious, and I am not a whole fan of this idea that people with 47-XXY must necessarily be "retarded" (in my ex's parting words).
I'm intensely insecure when it comes to discussing things like measuring "intelligence," especially when people compliment me. So much of "intelligence" is culturally constructed and as a young kid I was constantly made fun of (or called out in class) for the strange, atypical ways in which I would imagine or think or feel. Among my generation nowadays there is frequent discussion of Privilege, and throughout my life I have felt strongly oppressed by neuronormativity. I hate (utterly detest) the word "smart" because to me, "smart" is a word of oppression used to silence people who don't think like you.
I currently tutor organic chemistry, calculus and physics. I consider myself both a scientist and an artist, and regularly experiment with photography. My equipment that I've been using most recently is the Canon 5D Mark II, with a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM lens. You can find my work at http://www.takenbynora.com. I am also active on Flickr; see here for proof that my accounts are linked.
Categorical imperatives
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