I have an awkward relationship to the “gendering” of connectors (ie: connectors on the end of cables are often referred to as the “male” or “female” end - male when it has the protruding part and female when it has the indented part). I understand that they’re just technical terms and SO much easier than saying “the sticky-outy end,” but it does imply that “female” things have indented parts and “

male” things have protruding parts, not to mention this is referred to as the connector’s “gender” not “sex,” thus subtly reinforcing the gender/sex mixups. And then recently I’ve heard “gender-bender” used to refer to a turn around or adapter that flips the sex of a cable around if you need it to be the same sex on both ends.



It’s the most subtle form of cissexism that I’ve ever been able to find. And on the one hand it feels like something I should correct, but on the other hand, I can’t think of any other way to label those two different ends that will be clear, concise, immediately understood, and gender-conscious. Thoughts my techie friends?