audio, stills, text and or video: Go to zReportage.com to see more - adjective: gender-queer 1. denoting or relating to a person who does not subscribe to conventional gender distinctions but identifies with neither, both, or a combination of male and female genders. 16 yr old Emma Grace Koetter doesn't mind a bit if someone calls her 'genderqueer.' And she believes society could learn a lot from others like her who don't subscribe to conventional gender distinctions, but rather identify as neither, both, or a combination of female and male genders. ''I totally identify as being genderqueer. I feel mostly female but I fluctuate between feeling more masculine and more feminine. I freely use this term today, but that wasn't always the case,'' the homeschooled teen explained. ''Society used to think of the word in a demeaning and derogatory way. It's different now. 'Queer' doesn't have the sting it once did, at least to my generation.'' In late 2015, The White House endorsed legislation that would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Equality Act of 2015, would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sexual orientation and gender identity as federally protected categories.
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Dec. 22, 2015 - Decatur, Georgia, U.S. - EMMA GRACE KOETTER wears a 'Queer' patch stitched on her denim jacket. Koetter admitted to herself a year ago that she didn't fit society's general view of genders. She doesn't mind a bit if someone calls her 'genderqueer.' And she believes society could learn a lot from others like her who don't subscribe to conventional gender distinctions, but rather identify as neither, both, or a combination of female and male genders.
© Robin Rayne/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Jan. 1, 2016 - Decatur, Georgia, U.S. - EMMA GRACE KOETTER with her friend SKYLER LANSFORD at an in town market. At 16, with blonde chunks in her cropped punk-like hairstyle, Emma could easily be perceived as a boy. She bears a striking resemblance to a younger Justin Bieber.
© Robin Rayne/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Dec. 10, 2015 - Decatur, Georgia, U.S. - EMMA GRACE KOETTER, middle, strolls through the neighborhood with best friends after a local home school group meeting. Koetter admitted to herself a a year ago that she didn't fit society's general view of genders. Emma wears the word 'queer' proudly on a tattered denim jacket, confident that it describes her perfectly.
© Robin Rayne/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Jan. 1, 2016 - Decatur, Georgia, U.S. - EMMA GRACE KOETTER plays with makeup in the bathroom. 'I like to get girly now and then,'' she said. Koetter admitted to herself a a year ago that she didn't fit society's general view of genders.
© Robin Rayne/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Jan. 1, 2016 - Decatur, Georgia, U.S. - EMMA GRACE KOETTER gets some finishing touches from mom Anna before a big evening out. ''I wear dresses maybe a few times a years,'' she said. 'Genderqueer' describes people with non-binary gender identities who don't identify as completely male or female. 'They might identify as neither or a combination of both,' the homeschooled teen explained.
© Robin Rayne/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Jan. 1, 2016 - Decatur, Georgia, U.S. - EMMA GRACE KOETTER displays her self-manicure with colors of the transgender flag. 'Genderqueer' is an umbrella term that describes all non-binary gender identities including agender, genderfluid, third gender, androgyne, and a whole lot more. 'I totally identify as being genderqueer,' she said.
© Robin Rayne/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Dec. 22, 2015 - Decatur, Georgia, U.S. - EMMA GRACE KOETTER visits with Norton, the family's pet pig.
© Robin Rayne/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Jan. 1, 2016 - Decatur, Georgia, U.S. - EMMA GRACE KOETTER applies nail polish. ''Sometimes I get bored and try girly things,'' she admitted.
© Robin Rayne/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Dec. 5, 2015 - Decatur, Georgia, U.S. - EMMA GRACE KOETTER at her bedroom door. 'Genderqueer' describes people with non-binary gender identities who don't identify as completely male or female.
© Robin Rayne/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Jan. 1, 2016 - Decatur, Georgia, U.S. - EMMA GRACE KOETTER applies nail polish. ''Sometimes I get bored and try girly things,'' she admitted. 'I totally identify as being genderqueer. I feel mostly female but I fluctuate between feeling more masculine and more feminine.
© Robin Rayne/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Jan. 5, 2016 - Decatur, Georgia, U.S. - CHRISTIAN ZSILOVETZ, director of the planned Pride Atlanta School for LGBT student and staff, mentors EMMA GRACE KOETTER, a homeschool high school school student who identifies as gender queer, at a local coffee shop.
© Robin Rayne/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Jan. 1, 2016 - Decatur, Georgia, U.S. - EMMA GRACE KOETTER with home school friend SKYLER LANSFORD walk along railroad tracks near her home as they share stories. 'I totally identify as being genderqueer. I feel mostly female but I fluctuate between feeling more masculine and more feminine. I freely use this term today, but that wasn't always the case. Society used to think of the word in a demeaning and derogatory way. It's different now. 'Queer' doesn't have the sting it once did, at least to my generation.'
© Robin Rayne/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
