Harefield hospital, sex not gender

[HeidiHoNeighbour]

On patient registration form.

I left it blank, receptionist asked why and I replied what the difference between sex and gender?
Went into to see dr, he asked why it was blank and I asked again.
Neither answered the question.

Today I will be mostly identifying as a milk chocolate hobnob

@slipperywhensparticus
Ah ok suppose I’ve never really thought about it as I would tick the same box regardless of whether it asked sex or gender. In saying that it is usually sex isn’t it.

This would annoy me too. I'd probably cross out the word Gender and write Sex above.

It also annoys me when people call them Gender Scans.

People will see gender and put how they identify this could kill someone 🤷‍♀️ its only because people dont pass that it hasnt happened already, or maybe it has and it's not been made public we dont know

It's a dangerous idea to make everything about feelings

I've discussed this with trans people irl my daughter has with her trans friend most agree two boxes are the way forward sex AND gender

It's not important. You know what they meant. Most forms say gender not sex. This planet has gone crazy with the obsession of political and grammatical correctness. They were asking if you had a dick or not.. next!!

It’s very important actually. Are you happy for NHS time a resources to be spent on males who identify as women being called in for smear tests? Are you happy for men to be given blood from a female who identifies as a man? It could kill them, but not important right?

Oh get a grip, just tick the male or female box, you can only be one or the other!!

If they put 'sex' then people write 'not today' or 'yes please'

Jesus fuck. These forms were probably devised years ago when gender actually was generally used as another more coy word for sex (about the time young boys - and Benny Hill - would have answered "sex?" "Yes please".)

These are busy people. Stop being a dick.

Are you happy for men to be given blood from a female who identifies as a man? It could kill them
Erm, no. It won't.

It's not important. You know what they meant. Most forms say gender not sex. This planet has gone crazy with the obsession of political and grammatical correctness. They were asking if you had a dick or not.. next!!

It IS important.

Gender is nothing to do with dicks. Sex determines whether you have one or not. So asking someone’s gender if you need to know whether they are likely to have cervical or prostate cancer is fucking VITAL!

God people like you are so bloody difficult. Glad I see most people like this on MN and not in real life

Erm, no. It won't!

It could. Women who have ever been pregnant produce an enzyme that can kill men with certain liver conditions.

(I work for a blood service)

Actually... (serious question) so if the whole world changed the question to "sex" right now, would trans people actually answer any differently?

Or will there need to be a line instead of a box in forms?

I'm absolutely convinced that this move towards gender not sex is about British prudishness around the word sex.

Must be nice to have so much time on your hands. Nhs doesn’t.

That's really interesting @NeedAnExpert

it's a heart hospital. I'm not a cardiac specialist and don't know why it matters whether you were born female or born male for their work, but clearly it must.

stop dicking about with our overstressed NHS and tick one box or the other.

I'd probably cross out the word Gender and write Sex above.

This is what I do. If there is space I have been known to write 'sex is a biological reality, gender is a tool of the patriarchy'. I'm officially a grumpy old woman.

I'm absolutely convinced that this move towards gender not sex is about British prudishness around the word sex.

It’s more sinister than that. It’s about eroding women’s hard won rights.

I'm surprised so many people think this isn't important.

It’s more sinister than that. It’s about eroding women’s hard won rights

Well I honestly think a lot of people are relieved as they don't have to say the "s" word.

They should put sex not gender because gender has no bearing on medical treatment (because it is merely social conditioning) whereas biological sex obviously does. YANBU, and I would have done the same.

Erm, no. It won't.

It could. Women who have ever been pregnant produce an enzyme that can kill men with certain liver conditions.

(I work for a blood service)

I would be genuinely interested to read about the study and evidence around this, if you have it?

(Apologies for off topic)

I think some people responding YABU think you are saying you identify as non-binary and want that option on the form.

The main reason these questions (sex/gender, ethnicity, etc) are asked on medical forms etc is mainly for audit/demographic research purposes.

For example, are certain conditions more prevalent in middle aged females than males or are there certain conditions more prevalent in Afro-Caribbean populations than Asian populations? It helps with developing targeted health promotion and information campaigns or screening programmes etc etc.

Eventually there’ll be a transgender option on all forms etc but I suspect many Trusts are trying to use up surplus stock to save money.