Sex vs gender identity

Inspired by Material girls by Kathleen Stock

Why Reality Matters for Feminism.

Instead of saying that sex (man or woman) is innate, natural and real, that it must be recognised by others (for the survival of our species) and the vulnerable sex protected in women only spaces by law: trans theory says that sex (man or woman) is an artificial construct formed by socialisation.

Instead of saying that gender identity is an artificial construct formed by socialisation: trans theory says that gender identity is innate, natural and real and must be recognised by others and protected by law.

The difference between men and woman is real and innate, though we do not have to assume manly or womanly identities. We can free ourselves from anything our society and upbringing tells us we should be like, how we should behave and what roles we should play.

No one is born into the ‘wrong’ body, which under transactivist theory is impossible anyway, because the biological sex of the body is a construct. According to this theory the body is neither man nor woman. Treating misalignment as a medical condition may also be re-pathologising homosexuality and other sex-nonconforming behaviours. Some de-transitioners say the process of alignment is regressive, that we shouldn’t need surgery or life-long drugs to be who we already are.

I should not be required by law nor social pressure to respond in the way that someone wants me to regarding their identity as the opposite sex (though trans theory says there are many sexes). Nor due I have to respond, as though I was blind, if a person identifies as a different age group, race or species to what they clearly are. A well-balanced person does not need their self-esteem and acceptance to be dependent on other people’s opinion or reactions. Identities, regardless of our actual sex, are social and psychological constructs that may restrict and divide us. We need to observe how they’re formed, how they control us and go beyond them to free ourselves and focus on our common humanity. Not entrench them and force others to ‘affirm’ them.

Someone’s identity does not afford them any special privilege nor protection. I acknowledge everyone’s right not be discriminated against for sex nonconformity. I also recognise that their sex might need particular protection from (a very few) of the opposite sex. The fact that men with nonaligned ‘identities’ receive abuse in men’s prisons, is not a reason to allow them into women’s prisons as this also allows sex offenders access to a captive audience of vulnerable women. Abuse of male prisoners is a huge reason to reform men’s prisons, where ethnic minorities and virtually all men, whatever group they identify with, also receive abuse.

The legal recognition of gender identity (seen as real and innate) over sex (seen as an artificial construct), when it is demonstrably the other way round, is ridiculous. The aggression with which it’s being promoted and the vilification of anyone who wants to discuss the issues let alone disagree with them is counter-productive and dangerous. The size, vitriol and the threatened violence of the social media hate campaign against J.K.Rowling is extremely alarming. Legal recognition allows sex offenders access to the vulnerable that they wish to abuse. It destroys the social norms that provide the relative safety of women and girls (and men who pass for women) in toilets and changing areas and disrupts the support that can be offered in women-only rape crisis centres and groups for lesbians. It could destroy women’s sport and the careers and happiness of millions of women.The fact that so many universities and other institutions have caved in so quickly to pressure from Stonewall and other groups is very disappointing to say the least.

There may also be unknown harm and distress to many children and young people especially those with autism spectrum disorder, who are particularly vulnerable and confused. Though it’s a big win for pharma and life-long drugs.

‘We are in the era of the trans child. It would be absolutely unfounded to imagine a Trans Studies scholar saying that perhaps, actually, trans children should not be given hormones. As a field we do not allow those kinds of disagreements. Everything must be ‘gender affirming’ (whatever that means).’ from an article by Michael Biggs entitled ‘Suicide by trans-identified children in England and Wales’.

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