Why is it so important for us to know someone else's gender? We live in a gendered world, but for Audrey, gender is fluid at best an uncomfortable construct. Is there a way to be less reliant on gender in our interactions with people? And what does this mean when it comes to the clothes we wear, or even which toilet we choose to use?  If you met Audrey Mason-Hyde, you might think she was a boy, which isn’t quite correct, but calling her a girl doesn’t feel quite right to her either. At 12 years old, Audrey is already an accomplished actor with film and TV credits to her name, including 52 Tuesdays, a film that won the Directing Award at Sundance Film Festival and the Crystal Bear, judged by the youth jury at the Berlin International Film Festival. With a fierce intellect and a unique sense of style, Audrey has plenty to say about our gendered world. 

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Audrey Mason-Hyde: Toilets, bowties, gender and me | Audrey Mason-Hyde | TEDxAdelaide

Toilets, bowties, gender and me | Audrey Mason-Hyde | TEDxAdelaide

At five years old, a misunderstanding in a school bathroom sparked a profound journey into the complexities of gender identity.

Embracing androgyny and flamboyance, a meeting with Bart in Berlin reshaped understandings of gender expression beyond traditional norms.

Questioning the necessity of gender categorization, a plea for empathy and a shift towards inclusive spaces that accommodate all identities.