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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Views on androgen insensitivity and women’s sport participation

241 replies

Lexibletheflexible · 25/09/2026 06:41

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOugAoGDbo6/?hl=en

It's about androgen insensitivity.

Okay, so I come across this person on my reels during the night. Probably due to discussions here and the algorithm and Big Brother.

I also tried to do a search here but nothing come up about previous discussions. Might be the imperfect search functions.

Now unusually for me, I will give my actual position on what I'm about to say and ask.

I don't think trans women should compete with women in the majority of single sex sports events past a childhood grassroots level. Where it really doesn't matter, we should probably have those sports be mixed at a professional level to increase participation but that's another subject entirely.

When it comes to DSDs and the like, I think things like normal or average hormonal levels need to play a part in determining their participation. The athletes most discussed in here, I agree (somewhat reluctantly) they shouldn't compete with women. Reluctantly just because I think they are good athletes/people and haven't acted maliciously.

The person in the clip I have shown above, however, I don't think they are quite the same. I wouldn't begrudge them a space on a women's sports team, though from the sounds of it, they might not be very good, anyway.

I'm actually not sure if this is the clip of them I've watched as I watched them on Facebook. They talk about several of their aunts having the same disorder so they had some idea they would vs most people who have it not knowing until they get older.

So I guess I'm asking for people's opinions on this person and disorder when it comes to single sex spaces and sports.

Jackie Blankenship • Intersex 101 on Instagram: "✨ Born with XY chromosomes, but my body never listened to testosterone. My testes became my natural estrogen factory - Here is the scientific way it all worked! 💛💜 #IntersexProud #Intersex #CAIS #Inte...

4,999 likes, 206 comments - mrsjackieblanks on September 17, 2025: "✨ Born with XY chromosomes, but my body never listened to testosterone. My testes became my natural estrogen factory - Here is the scientific way it all worked! 💛💜 #IntersexProud #I...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOugAoGDbo6?hl=en

OP posts:
2021x · Yesterday 06:33

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 06:31

There is if you have a labia, vulva, clitoris and vaginal opening. That is your external genitalia. Your vaginal canal is your internal genitalia.

Not according to you previously. Women can also have dysfunctional reproductive organs and still be women.

If a man only had one testicle, is he still a man?

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 06:37

2021x · Yesterday 06:33

Not according to you previously. Women can also have dysfunctional reproductive organs and still be women.

If a man only had one testicle, is he still a man?

Yes, they can. There are several things that can be "wrong" or atypical about a girl's (XX chromosomes) internal or external genitalia at birth. Some may be seen right away, others, not.

With someone who has CAIS, their external genitalia appears typical at birth and beyond. It is their internal genitalia that would appear abnormal on intimate examination but it is unnecessary to do that to a baby who is urinating fine. Imaging would find absent female reproductive organs and internal testes.

OP posts:
Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 06:40

2021x · Yesterday 06:33

Not according to you previously. Women can also have dysfunctional reproductive organs and still be women.

If a man only had one testicle, is he still a man?

If a man has one testicle, then he has an external organ. People with CAIS have external sex organs that appear to be tyocially female. So if that testicle is part of what confirms him as a man, then a vulva and clitoris surely helps to confirm someone as a woman.

OP posts:
2021x · Yesterday 06:42

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 06:37

Yes, they can. There are several things that can be "wrong" or atypical about a girl's (XX chromosomes) internal or external genitalia at birth. Some may be seen right away, others, not.

With someone who has CAIS, their external genitalia appears typical at birth and beyond. It is their internal genitalia that would appear abnormal on intimate examination but it is unnecessary to do that to a baby who is urinating fine. Imaging would find absent female reproductive organs and internal testes.

But they are male because they do not have any female sexual reproductive organs; they have internal testes, and they have XY chromosomes.

It doesn't matter what they look like externally.

It doesn't matter how "nice" and "kind" you want to tell yourself you are.

They are males with a disorder, not females.

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 06:47

2021x · Yesterday 06:42

But they are male because they do not have any female sexual reproductive organs; they have internal testes, and they have XY chromosomes.

It doesn't matter what they look like externally.

It doesn't matter how "nice" and "kind" you want to tell yourself you are.

They are males with a disorder, not females.

The testes are removed and provide no benefit to the person as they are insensitive to its products. Instead, it uses it as oestrogen. The female sex hormone.

OP posts:
2021x · Yesterday 06:49

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 06:47

The testes are removed and provide no benefit to the person as they are insensitive to its products. Instead, it uses it as oestrogen. The female sex hormone.

When they were born they had testes not ovaries.

Women are not men without testes.

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 06:54

2021x · Yesterday 06:49

When they were born they had testes not ovaries.

Women are not men without testes.

But you'd not exlcude a woman who was born without ovaries so that doesnt matter. What matters to you clearly is the chromosomes. It's ok if that is the thing which matters to you.

OP posts:
2021x · Yesterday 06:56

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 06:54

But you'd not exlcude a woman who was born without ovaries so that doesnt matter. What matters to you clearly is the chromosomes. It's ok if that is the thing which matters to you.

A person with XX chromosomes born without ovaries, or more, born with dysfunctional ovaries but with an enlarged clitoris, wouldn't be a male.

Rollingpinofdoom · Yesterday 07:14

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 05:10

But the only "male" body part they ever had was internal testes which are now gone. If we were to add up how many male vs female body parts they have, female would win. They barely even grow body hair due to their CAIS.

Only males can get CAIS. It’s the prerequisite. So nope, no entry to female sports.

Rollingpinofdoom · Yesterday 07:15

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 06:54

But you'd not exlcude a woman who was born without ovaries so that doesnt matter. What matters to you clearly is the chromosomes. It's ok if that is the thing which matters to you.

The thing is, a woman without ovaries is still a woman. A man without testes is still a man.

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 07:22

2021x · Yesterday 06:56

A person with XX chromosomes born without ovaries, or more, born with dysfunctional ovaries but with an enlarged clitoris, wouldn't be a male.

Yes so exactly, for you, chromosomes are the determinant.

OP posts:
Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 07:23

Rollingpinofdoom · Yesterday 07:15

The thing is, a woman without ovaries is still a woman. A man without testes is still a man.

Well this is a person without testes, penis or ovaries but with a vulva, clitoris, vaginal opening and some form of canal, as well as breasts.

OP posts:
Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 07:24

Rollingpinofdoom · Yesterday 07:14

Only males can get CAIS. It’s the prerequisite. So nope, no entry to female sports.

Only people with XX chromosones who have typical external female genitalia.

OP posts:
Rollingpinofdoom · Yesterday 07:25

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 07:23

Well this is a person without testes, penis or ovaries but with a vulva, clitoris, vaginal opening and some form of canal, as well as breasts.

Still a male though. Otherwise he wouldn’t have CAIS would he? No female can have CAIS. So yeah, by virtue of being male, not allowed in female sports no matter how many body parts he doesn’t have.

NotBadConsidering · Yesterday 07:26

Still a male though

And has male advantage. And is over represented in elite sport.

Rollingpinofdoom · Yesterday 07:26

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 07:24

Only people with XX chromosones who have typical external female genitalia.

Why are you so determined to argue that this man should be in female sports just because he has a VSD? It’s sad for him but, hey, that’s life.

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 07:27

Rollingpinofdoom · Yesterday 07:25

Still a male though. Otherwise he wouldn’t have CAIS would he? No female can have CAIS. So yeah, by virtue of being male, not allowed in female sports no matter how many body parts he doesn’t have.

Male, if chromosomes are what you think decides. Which is fine and what I am asking. For me, this person could never be male given the totality of their existence.

OP posts:
Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 07:28

Rollingpinofdoom · Yesterday 07:26

Why are you so determined to argue that this man should be in female sports just because he has a VSD? It’s sad for him but, hey, that’s life.

The OP explains why I started the thread.

OP posts:
BunnyBunbunbun · Yesterday 07:29

Lexibletheflexible · 25/09/2026 08:14

Yes in response to someone else proposing that the presence of periods would have to be looked at eventually.

In response to someone else proposing that the ability to go through menstrual cycles will have to be taken into account, not the presence of periods.

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 07:30

BunnyBunbunbun · Yesterday 07:29

In response to someone else proposing that the ability to go through menstrual cycles will have to be taken into account, not the presence of periods.

Same thing

OP posts:
Rollingpinofdoom · Yesterday 07:32

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 07:27

Male, if chromosomes are what you think decides. Which is fine and what I am asking. For me, this person could never be male given the totality of their existence.

Why? Why is a male with a VSD not a male? What sex is he then? Can’t be female otherwise he would not have CAIS, so if you don’t believe he’s male, what sex is he?

MagpiePi · Yesterday 07:56

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 04:54

I think someone with who is outwardly female bodied and appears like the person in the video and has proven complete andorogen insensitivity is not at any sporting advantage to women. I can't see any reason to dismiss them based on their chromosomes. They aren't trans. They can't even benefit from normal female levels of testerone because they are insensitive to it. Excluding them would have no basis other than wanting them to feel even more abnormal than they may.

So some people should be allowed to compete in sporting classes they are not eligible for because it’s not their fault and we (women) should #bekiiind?

It’s not any man’s fault that he’s a man so let’s let them compete so they aren’t excluded and get hurty feelz?

PrizedPickledPopcorn · Yesterday 08:01

Because their body isn’t female. The Q angle will be different, the hip angle will be different, the shoulder will have a different for throwing action.

A man with a health condition that makes him superficially appear female is not a woman.

If CAIS is over represented in elite sports, then it is giving an advantage. That’s the bottom line, and nothing you say can change that or make it ok.

Shortshriftandlethal · Yesterday 08:09

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 04:48

We arent really talking about trans women here. We are talking about people with CAIS.

You are talking primarily about male people with CAIS.

Female only categories are for female people only. It is unfortunate for the people who have this condition, but that doesn't mean we should under-mine the integrity of female only categories, services, spaces or sports.

Shortshriftandlethal · Yesterday 08:13

Lexibletheflexible · Yesterday 07:27

Male, if chromosomes are what you think decides. Which is fine and what I am asking. For me, this person could never be male given the totality of their existence.

'Male' is a biological category, not a personality or 'lived experience' category.