Reader Responses to The Gender Q

Your article is excellent as far as it goes but it inadequately treats both sides of the issues that inflame the trans debate. Those issues should be broken down. To level-set the genetic science, let me quote Richard Dawkins, the world’s leading evolutionary biologist: “Sex is not defined by chromosomes, nor by anatomy, nor by psychology or sociology, nor by personal inclination, nor by ‘assignment at birth’. . . It is universally defined by the binary distinction between sperms and eggs. You may argue about ‘gender’ if you wish . . . but sex is a true binary, one of rather few in biology.”  Most of the current public debate comes down to three objections to trans ideology, expressed as follows:

1. Children should not undergo “gender-affirming” surgeries or other medical procedures, regardless of their stated wishes. Society restricts the free choice of children in many areas, because we deem that they don’t have the judgment or experience to make wise decisions expected from them as mature adults.

2.  Women’s private spaces should be protected from biological males, including bathrooms, locker rooms, and prisons. The dignity of women compels this.

3.  Biological males should not compete against women in sports, as their advantages in muscle mass, strength and endurance make the race unfair and deprive women of their spotlight.

If you put these objections in context of the broader debate and the rights demanded by the trans community, they are relatively minor. I believe that if that community accepted them then the great majority of the public would accept their recognition and rights in other areas.