Haruka is not trans or non binary

[Maraviollantes]

Yes. What makes them trans then if they don’t want to y’know, transition?

Their own feelings and self-identification, apparently. At least that's what a lot of people these days think and advocate for. A simple verbal or written statement without any proof is all that it takes in many countries already to legally change your gender. With more and more countries joining this camp every year.

Which makes me think: if Haruka was getting these days a foreign passport/driving license/travel documents/whatever else in one of countries which freely allow to choose your gender identity between male/female/undefined/third gender/non-binary without any confirmation, what she would choose? It's far from being obvious to me that she would choose "female" in all her papers, to be honest.

Back in 90s, when "self-identification" and "preferred pronouns" trends weren't a thing yet, the answer to question about Haruka's gender was very simple and straightforward. But these days it strongly depends on what camp one belongs to. And what camp Haruka would join, most importantly.

Living in conservative society (Japan in 90s) that only recognized her biological sex as gender, she could be forced to identify as a girl, but what if Haruka lived in a modern society where she could freely choose to identify as any gender? Again, it's far from obvious to me that she would still stick with "female".

 

[ChampionOfNuggets]

Their own feelings and self-identification, apparently.At least that's what a lot of people these days think and advocate for. A simple verbal or written statement without any proof is all that it takes in many countries already to legally change your gender. With more and more countries joining this camp every year.

Which makes me think: if Haruka was getting these days a foreign passport/driving license/travel documents/whatever else in one of countries which freely allow to choose your gender identity between male/female/undefined/third gender/non-binary without any confirmation, what she would choose? It's far from being obvious to me that she would choose "female" in all her papers, to be honest.

Back in 90s, when "self-identification" and "preferred pronouns" trends weren't a thing yet, the answer to question about Haruka's gender was very simple and straightforward. But these days it strongly depends on what camp one belongs to. And what camp Haruka would join, most importantly.

Living in conservative society (Japan in 90s) that only recognized her biological sex as gender, she could be forced to identify as a girl, but what if Haruka lived in a modern society where she could freely choose to identify as any gender? Again, it's far from obvious to me that she would still stick with "female".

You know trans people weren't invented yesterday right?

Or that preferred pronouns have always been a thing?

 

[Tsundereshipper]

Ouch.
You're advocating for something you haven't studied enough, buddy.
As weird as the concept of trans people uninterested in looking passable may sound, those people exist and are considered part of the transgender community.

Not saying trans people have to 100% pass to be considered trans, of course some may not be able to no matter how much hormones they take or surgeries they have (that’s not their fault though they probably just got on hormones too late) but they’re still trans since they’re actively transitioning.

I understand other trans people might not be able to get on hormones due to expenses or health issues but like… If you’re not taking HRT and don’t even want it, then what exactly makes you trans? How are you the opposite sex if you don’t want to present as the opposite sex or have any of their defining characteristics such as hormones?

Words have meaning after all.

, but what if Haruka lived in a modern society where she could freely choose to identify as any gender?

And I’d be fine with this, I think people should have as much freedom to do with their bodies and live their lives as they see fit - regardless if they have gender dysphoria or the brain of the opposite sex or not, I’m a libertarian at heart after all.

If they don’t take any steps to actively make those changes to their presentations/body though than it feels a little silly/pointless to identify as something they put no effort into. How have they meaningfully transitioned then?

Back in 90s, when "self-identification" and "preferred pronouns" trends weren't a thing yet, the answer to question about Haruka's gender was very simple and straightforward.

90’s anime Haruka maybe, but even in the 90’s the Western fandom was confused over Manga Haruka’s gender because of Naoko’s vague wording, I remember many believed Haruka was a straight up hermaphrodite/intersex in the manga.

 

[Slowpokeking]

Why would ppl even question that?

To me Haruka's behavior and character is obviously a girl, other than her appearance she is very woman.

 

[JayD22460]

I think Haruka would curiously scroll through this thread, chuckle to herself, whisper something to Michiru, and then they would go scurry off somewhere.

I see Haruka as a (cisgender) lesbian, a woman-loving woman identifying as a woman but one who eagerly plays with gender expression. I think nowadays some people might read non-binary or gender fluidity from her character, and that's fine if they want to see Haruka that way. I won't try to take it from them.

But even as a man......I want to dress like Haruka. Lmao. So stylish!

 

[flockapowpow]

Surely there’s a way we can discuss whether Haruka can be interpreted as non-binary without discrediting and picking apart the experiences of real life trans people. Let’s please remember we’re discussing a 2D character that exists on paper, it is not that serious!

 

[tux67]

Haruka is just a lesbian that dresses however she wants. The need to slap the "trans" or "non-binary" label on everything nowadays is a bit much, and this is coming from a "live, let live, do no harm" gay man.