Longbridge L O N G B R I D G E
Gender
The culture of Longbridge has developed with the unquestioned assumption that an in-between gender is obvious and unremarkable. This doesn’t mean that everyone is super progressive and tolerant, just that ideological clashes and authoritarian control operate along different axes. Although all three classes have fairly well-defined fashion styles and social expectations, stepping outside these boundaries is common and not often questioned or socially policed.
Gender Classes in Longbridge
Nymi
Nymi is a nonbinary gender comprising about 15% of the population, and is a well accepted and integrated social class in Longbridge. Nymi are thought of as a sort of bridge between the masculine and feminine, and all classes borrow fashion or presentation styles from each other to position themselves comfortably on this spectrum. The nymi equivalent of ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’ is ‘niadine’.
The niadine pronouns are ‘de’, ‘dym’ and ‘dir’. ‘They’ remains the plural 2nd-person pronoun, as in modern English.
Nymi include biologically intersex (“nymale”) people, although they are a statistically small population. Most nymi have sexually dimorphic body types and identify as such, unless by personal preference.
Social Expectations
Nymi are somewhat expected to have a specialised interest to dedicate their career to. They are overrepresented in academic and monastic pursuits like history, research and astronomy, and are respected as authorities in their fields. Students and apprentices often find it reassuring to have a nymi professor or mentor.
Although many nymi will have children, they are not normally associated with parenthood in the same way that dyadi are; their social responsibilities relate to older children, such as training them in higher education or specialised vocations. They are statistically less likely to form long term relationships and start families, often living in commonhouses with 3 - 4 other single adults long term.
Dyadi
Dyadi is the collective term for the two gender classes that Longbridge citizens think of as ‘men’ and ‘women’ The term dyadi is not frequently used, instead all 3 classes are usually spoken of equally. Dyadi are contrasted with Nymi sometimes with respect to their role in rasing families, or their reputation for a higher level of sexual activity.
Men
Men are somewhat expected to be proficient at physically demanding jobs and skilled manual labour. They are overrepresented among builders, artisans, attrapulsers, and Veil and Sky. As fathers, men are generally expected to educate the children in academic, vocational and social skills. Men are expected to maintain and fix things, especially buildings. Broadly, men are somewhat expected to act as social peacekeepers and mediators. People in need of equipment or repairs often find it reassuring to have a male artisan or pulser.
Fashion
Long hair, usually in a ponytail or single braid. Can be very long, sometimes bound with metal rings. Beards are common. Most men wear close fitting shirts and a below-the-knee, pleated kilt, worn with a belt, and sometimes a leather apron. Long, thick overcoats and thick socks or stockings are normal in cold weather.
Large, thick belts with elaborate buckles are associated with craftmanship, and many men pride themselves on having made their own belt buckles with rare or valuable materials. Work or craft tools worn on the belt are associated with masculinity. Heavy boots are associated with manual labour and have been elevated to a masculine signifier in general fashion.
Women
Women are somewhat expected to be organised and capable of directing a group of people. They are overrepresented in administration and Citizen’s Union positions, mixers, and doctors. As mothers, women are generally expected to care for the physical health of the children, including diet and medical care. Because medicine is primarily based in alchemy, mixing is associated with motherhood (except in university research where it’s considered academic), and there is a stereotype of older women knowing secret recipes and clever mixing tricks to cure obscure ailments. People in need of medical attention often find it reassuring to have a female doctor or mixer.
Fashion
Long hair, usually worn free at about shoulder length. Trousers are associated with femininity and worn as pleated slacks with a crease, or tight-fit stockings made of breathable fabric. Shirts are often puffy or frilly blouses, worn under a long waistcoat that reaches below the hips. In cold weather, big fluffy jumpers with tails and thick stockings are normal.
Scarves worn with one end wrapped and one end hanging long are associated with leadership and are common for women in positions of authority or administration. Shoes are usually colourful flats with decorative embroidery or textures.
Young women will often decorate each other’s shoes as a bonding activity, and finely decorated shoes are a signifier that one has a lot of friends. Decorated shoes are worn with pride even well into adulthood. Popular styles involve intricate embroidery with curling, organic filigree and floral motifs.
Gender in Adolescence
Children are considered kind of genderless by default before puberty, and are only expected to adopt a concrete gender expression when they reach young adulthood’.
Juntari
A phase of fluid gender experimentation starting in late adolescence (age 10 - 13), and lasting until early adulthood (age 16- 20), during which young citizens explore options for their gender expression before settling into whatever feels comfortable.
This phase is typical and seen as healthy development. The end of juntari is usually marked by a celebration with one’s friends, and the ritual destruction or disposal of clothing and other items which are no longer needed.
Although those ending their juntari are expected to adopt a concrete gender, boundaries between the gender classes are not strongly policed by others, and post-juntari fluidity is not often questioned.
Luminari
An art and fashion movement focused on developing and showcasing unique or extravagant features in one’s style or gender expression, culturally similar to drag. Named after the ubiquitous firefly-like creatures found all over Longbridge.
There is no consistent hair or fashion style. Exaggerated makeup and vibrant colours are very common, and most luminari wear (a less ostentatious version of) their style on a day-to-day basis.
Luminari are associated with music and theatre, and the vast majority of them reside in Jubilee where dance performances are popular.
Most luminari are women at about 50%, nymi about 35%, and a minority of men at about 15%.