EXPLORING GENDER CHOICES

Binary labels disrobed...

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This post serves as evidence of my ignorance, and not of my erudition on this topic. In fact, my grandchildren, based on the people that they have met, have influenced my evolving understanding of gender diversity— for the better. My mind is filled with wonder at the infinite possibilities that life offers and the incomprehensibility of it all.

This post is based on a New York Times article with its link given at the end of this post.

Binary implies that there are only two choices. Yet, looking around nature, true uniformity is rare. There is always a multitude of variation. There is also diversity in outlooks, behaviors, and so on. A dog is not a thing, it is a living entity, the result of genetic and environmental influences that affect the behavior of a being with a distinct personality. Not all horses run at the same speed. Not all cows grow to the same proportions. Why do we have such concrete expectations about human traits and behaviors? Are all your siblings the same? Are all your friends the same? Why does society hold competitions and contests if not to select the unique? Do all competitors score the same? Do all racers come across the finish line simultaneously?

Looking further at nature, is the genome not under constant transformation and mutation? Would Homo sapiens exist if not through mutation and diversification of the prior specie? How did the magic of evolution allow our emergence and adaptation, insuring our survival in the early days from awesome predators and the powerful forces of climatic and geological forces?

I am uniquely unqualified to opine on this topic except to share my many questions.

Race is and its concomitant prejudice usually centers on skin color, determined by melanin concentration. What is melanin, the coloring agent in human skin? Is its function UV protection or vitamin D toxicity protection? What is the right melanin concentration? Is a focus on melanin realistic? Does the “right” concentration insure survivability, human prejudice aside?

Few things are as hot a button these days as gender determination/assertion. But what about surgically altering the body (breasts, hair, lips, eyebrows, chins, midriff bulges, even penises? How irreversible and harmful are some of those procedures compared to gender changing? How could the gender predestination concerns of those opposed to gender alteration be affected by that consideration?

My skin is on the light side and my grandfather underwent quite a bit of carving to prevent melanomas, so, I annually visit a dermatologist who has recently begun to market services, at least in part, as “Dermatology & Aesthetics”. How is surgically altering the body for ephemeral beauty purposes treated differently from gender alteration?

And most importantly, why are legislatures increasingly interfering in the intimate family decisions that are at the heart of gender-changing therapies?

Growing up, my generation, just as prior generations, was under pressure to conform to the norms of its time. But who established the norm?

Why do many native peoples value sexual diversity while patriarchies have appeared not to do so?

The New York Times article that carries this story is authentic and full of wisdom. The subject matter is serious and human dignity is of its essence. The writer of the article explores the pros and cons of gender changing (or not). In the final analysis it is an existential story that explores who we are and where we are headed. Kudos to the story’s writer for the thoughtful, thorough, and dispassionate exploration of this key topic of our times.

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