Neti Neti
Neti Neti
Sep 2, 2018 · 3 min read

Yes, I have looked into the biology of trans in depth. While there are sometimes differences in brain scans between trans-identified people and others, they are similar to the differences seen between gay and straight brains. Even so, there is no “gay” or “straight” or “male” or “female” brain. The differences are statistical, not absolute or predictive. We don’t determine the sex of humans using brain scans. Sex is a biological reality. If a person is male, every cell of their body will have XY chromosomes, including their brain. Therefore their brain IS a male brain.

Intersex is also knows as a disorder of sexual development, and just as the birth of a baby without legs does not undermine the fact that humans are a bipedal species, the existence of people whose reproductive system did not develop normally does not undermine the fact that we are a sexually dimorphic species. Intersex is the exception that proves the rule.

Gender, a term originally reserved for grammar, was taken into use by feminists trying to describe the ways in which female biology was used against us to “prove” that we are naturally subservient, irrational, emotional, bad at math, etc. Gender roles are a creation of patriarchy to justify the oppression and exploitation of women as part of the “natural order.” Similar arguments were made about the nature of black people in the time of slavery.

These days, gender is seen by some as a wonderful and creative way to express themselves, and clearly that word is undergoing a major shift. That’s fine, as far as it goes. People can assume whatever role or presentation fits their personality, and if it makes them happy to have labels, that’s their business. The trouble comes when society as a whole is mandated to take the labels as indicating some elemental truth which is at odds with actual reality.

I don’t believe that “gender identity” is a fundamental quality of human beings, and I respect others’ right to believe differently. It’s like believing in God. We are allowed to believe what we believe. To me, gender is nothing more than a set of rules intended to limit us all in arbitrary ways based on the sex we were born, not a choice or an identity. To others it is a playground or a fondly held identity. But scientifically, humans come in two sexes, aside from the very small percentage of us who are born with an intersex disorder. That’s not “rigid,” it’s just what is.

I’m curious, because you clearly feel strongly about the issue of appropriation, and I don’t understand why you don’t see the claiming of women’s spaces, sports teams, and identity by biological males, in the face of protests by women, as an issue of appropriation. What makes it different? What would give us as women the right of self-determination that you rightly claim for people of color? On what basis can we ever say “this is ours” and have that honored? Is it always incumbent on us to accept what any male bodied person says as the truth, without challenge? Shall we trust those born and raised in the oppressor class to define for us who and what we are and aren’t? Do you see the problem in this?

    Neti Neti

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    Neti Neti