02/05/2025
So, given today's Trump EO, it seems worthwhile to reiterate something I've written about before. Scientifically, there are THREE DISTINCT CONSTRUCTS (variables) that we must be aware of:
Biological S*x: What chromosomes you have, and what physical features develop as a result of those chromosomes (ovaries, te**es, p***s, va**na etc.) This is a binary, biological variable (Male - XY, Female - XX) in 99.95 to 99.98% of humans. There is a tiny proportion of genuinely Inters*x individuals, where their chromosomes, and their physical features, are not consistent with these two categories. Biological s*x can not be changed: PERIOD. Not surgically, not through hormone treatments, not in any other way.
Gender Identity: This is DIFFERENT from biological s*x. It represents how a person sees themselves, and how they REQUEST others see / treat them. This is NOT binary. And, because it's a social variable, it CAN be changed by individuals.
S*xual Orientation: This is DIFFERENT from the first two (although it is sometimes lumped in with Gender Identity). It represents whom a person prefers to have s*xual relations with. This is a also NON-BINARY: a social variable that can be changed by individuals.
As a criminologist, I can easily devise perfectly legitimate research projects that utilize each of these variables, and they are NOT interchangeable with one another. For instance:
"Are males more likely to commit violent crime than females because of higher levels of testosterone and correspondingly higher muscle mass?" -> Here I mean biological s*x, NOT gender identity, NOT s*xual orientation.
"Are trans women and men or non-binary individuals more likely to be victims of hate crimes than cis-gender individuals?" -> Here I mean gender identity, NOT biological s*x, NOT s*xual orientation.
"Is there a higher level of relationship violence among le***an women as compared to heteros*xual women?" -> Here the key variable is s*xual orientation, NOT biological s*x, NOT gender identity.
Why does all this matter? Because, when it comes to issues like this one ("Who should be allowed to compete in a given sport?") the key variable is BIOLOGICAL S*X (not gender identity, or s*xual orientation). It doesn't matter if I'm gay, or if I identify as female, I still shouldn't be allowed to compete in a womens' sport against biological women. Same is true about using a womens' shower / bathroom.
For other situations, the other two are what matter: however, in these cases, we must also consider the issue of CONSENT. I'm a biological male, can I have s*x with another biological male? Sure. That's called being gay (which is the construct "s*xual orientation"). And, there's nothing wrong with that so long as both parties CONSENT (although to consent, one must be an ADULT). Similarly, if I want to identify as a woman named "Christine": and I want a plastic surgeon to build simulated breasts for me, and reshape my p***s into a simulated va**na, should I be allowed to do that? Sure, as ADULTS, so long as I, and the surgeon CONSENT, it should be no problem to redefine my "gender identity". In BOTH of these scenarios, however, if we substitute a 12-year-old child for me (a 52-year-old adult), there's a BIG problem. If the other party in the s*xual encounter is 12, that's statutory r**e (and that's true regardless of the s*xual orientations involved). And, if a 12-year-old requests that same surgery, the plastic surgery should have an ethical and legal obligation ti say: "No!" - because a 12-year-old can't give informed consent to a major surgical procedure.
What's the point? There are "correct" scientific and legal answers to these issues. It really isn't just a matter of opinion.
US President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Wednesday barring transgender athletes from women's sports, in his latest move targeting transgender people since returning to office.
