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Original poster

Sex vs Gender on forms

64 replies

ohshitohshit · 21/06/2018 09:44

I've read a lot of posts on FWR, and as a woman, and mum to two girls, I find the whole concept of self ID deeply worrying.

Since reading the board, I keep noticing how many official forms now ask for 'Gender' rather than 'Sex'. In some cases I find this baffling! This post has been prompted by an organ donor form which asks your gender. The options are Male Female Transgender Other or prefer not to say.

AIBU to think that it's actually someone's biological sex that is the relevant question here?? As in - which bits and bobs might you be able to donate after your death - because men and women are biologically different!

Part of me wonders if it's a touch of British prudishness because everyone's glad they don't have to say 'sex' out loud anymore!

OP posts:
ChickenMe · 21/06/2018 12:52

People generally think they are one and the same but there is also pandering to identity politics.
If able to I cross out gender and put sex: female.
If unable to I would tick other and really I should contact the form creator but never know how to go about it

stillathing · 21/06/2018 12:47

I thought gdpr meant organisations shouldn't be asking for data that's not necessary?

BeyondSceptical · 21/06/2018 10:38

The word "trans" appear 100+ times, though should probably take into consideration that so does the word "transfusion" Wink

BeyondSceptical · 21/06/2018 10:36

Here's the actual study, doesn't mention "gender" once, vs 16 occurrences of "sex"...

jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2657377

PositivelyPERF · 21/06/2018 10:28

BeyondSceptical That’s going to cause some confusion, if they follow the suggestions on gender matching blood donors, isn’t it! 😁 Of course they won’t know if the blood has come from a man or woman, if they insist on using gender, so there will be nothing gained.

BeyondSceptical · 21/06/2018 10:24

I saw the story I have linked below at the time, but on googling this is the first link - and I chose it because it also muddles up the terms. Unless I missed that blood-transfusions are more successful based on an unquantifiable "essence", of course...

www.news-medical.net/news/20171018/Blood-transfusions-should-be-gender-matched-between-donor-and-recipient.aspx

FloralCup · 21/06/2018 10:21

Signed up for a marathon - they ask for gender! Surely sex is relevant here.
It's an on-line booking though so no place to make a comment about it.

reallybadidea · 21/06/2018 10:07

It doesn't especially matter what sex/gender you put on the organ donation register - you don't donate organs without a thorough medical history which would certainly include any gender reassignment.

I think you're right though that many people see gender and sex as different words for the same thing and 'sex' seems a bit rude or perhaps may confuse.

GladAllOver · 21/06/2018 10:05

I suppose on your organ donor form it isn't actually too important.
Once they get your body they will take whatever bits they can use. :)

CuriousaboutSamphire · 21/06/2018 10:03

I have taken to crossing it out and writing Sex... I have also just sent back an online Q to an insurance company, telling them I cannot complete the Essential Information section as I do not have a Gender and referred them to the Equalities Act and it's actual wording!

I am getting a tad militant about it Smile

PositivelyPERF · 21/06/2018 10:00

I put a line through it and write sex. Every Single Time!

Starkstaring · 21/06/2018 09:58

Asking me which gender I identify as, instead of my sex, renders the question pretty much meaningless. Which it is, except in a very few cases. So I usually say "other. I identify as myself"

sexnotgender · 21/06/2018 09:55

Last project I was on I ensured all my output had sex rather than gender on the customer output. My little fuck you to this bullshit. Made me feel better.

Theinconstantgardener · 21/06/2018 09:52

Of course biology is relevant! YANBU. If possible I write I do not have a gender my SEX is female. Though I appreciate that's not always an option . Would be interested to know what other posters do when there is no option to write a comment.

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