To think the Government should be aware that language matters?

[Unsure1969]

Applied for a CV19 Test yesterday.

I was asked for my gender (see attached photo)

With regards to CV19 sex actually matters, men are at greater
of a worse outcome.

AIBU to think our Government should know the difference?

Sigh its obvious what the question means. Yes it should probably say "sex" but in the greater scheme of trying to fight a pandemic its a non issue.

Perhaps it should say "Please give sex at birth unless you have been through transition surgery in which case please give current sex or maybe tick other if you think you're both or something else"

Least of our worries surely - tick whichever box suits you OP

I find it infuriating too. There are 2 sexes and apparently 100s of genders, if there are only 2 options on the form then they mean sex. Presumably they could give alternative options or a 'give information box' for people whose identify differently?

@listsandbudgets

Sigh its obvious what the question means. Yes it should probably say "sex" but in the greater scheme of trying to fight a pandemic its a non issue.

Perhaps it should say "Please give sex at birth unless you have been through transition surgery in which case please give current sex or maybe tick other if you think you're both or something else"

Least of our worries surely - tick whichever box suits you OP

Sigh. This MATTERS. As you point out it’s a pandemic and sex is relevant as the disease has been shown to affect males and females differently. Your sex at birth will still be your current sex.

For all things medical, sex will always be more relevant than gender. It's pathetic that the government can't even get that right!

But then trying to order a test is like looking for hens teeth at the moment which is an even bigger cluster fuck.

YANBU

if they mean biological sex they should ask for biological sex. Which would make sense in the context of medical info where men and women statistically have different outcomes.

If they mean what gender do you feel like today, they should use gender. Which has no relevance to COVID because the statistical outcomes are based on biology not feels.

If they want to

For most people gender and sex are the same. It really doesn't matter in most cases and this is one of them

@listsandbudgets

Sigh its obvious what the question means. Yes it should probably say "sex" but in the greater scheme of trying to fight a pandemic its a non issue.

Perhaps it should say "Please give sex at birth unless you have been through transition surgery in which case please give current sex or maybe tick other if you think you're both or something else"

Least of our worries surely - tick whichever box suits you OP

Ironically the people who have most to lose by this language are transwomen. Biological men are more at risk than biological women. If you're male and insist on being classed as a woman you could be preventing someone from adequately assessing your risk.

And then, naturally, if it were discovered that transwomen are more at risk than the general population, there would be handwringing and 'how can this be allowed to happen?' Personally I think if you want to hinder your medical treatment by lying, the responsibility lies with you.

YANBU. Language matters.

Sorry I misunderstood the thrust of the OP though I did vote YANBU as it should say sex especially where medical issues like this are concerned.

It matters.

It matters. Science only cares about sex. If someone gives their gender that is different to their sex, it could skew the results.

No wonder. This government is a bunch of chancers and incompetent wannabes.

For most people gender and sex are the same.

Says who? What makes you think most people believe they have “a gender”?

I'll be brutally honest with you and say if this is the biggest thing you can dredge up to grumble about with this government then you need to get out more.

We've just seen a vote to break an international treaty, remove our human rights and end the devolutions of Scotland and Wales and "Sex" or "Gender" is the burning issue.

Why not write to your MP about it ?

@SerendipityJane

I'll be brutally honest with you and say if this is the biggest thing you can dredge up to grumble about with this government then you need to get out more.

We've just seen a vote to break an international treaty, remove our human rights and end the devolutions of Scotland and Wales and "Sex" or "Gender" is the burning issue.

Why not write to your MP about it ?

It’s all part of it. Why don’t you start an issue on the other, very critical issues?

@HipTightOnions

For most people gender and sex are the same.

Says who? What makes you think most people believe they have “a gender”?

They don't. That's my point

They really don't care. For them gender means sex.

Why aren't you bothered about sex reveals?

*They don't. That's my point

They really don't care. For them gender means sex.

Why aren't you bothered about sex reveals?*

Gender reveals give me the rage too, I want to shout, gender is a social construct, it's sex!

But then I think perhaps I need to chill a little!

^I'll be brutally honest with you and say if this is the biggest thing you can dredge up to grumble about with this government then you need to get out more.
^^
^We've just seen a vote to break an international treaty, remove our human rights and end the devolutions of Scotland and Wales and "Sex" or "Gender" is the burning issue.

How have you possibly got time to post on Mumsnet with all these things to personally tackle? You'd best get to it, not waste time on social media telling other people what their priorities should be! Chop chop!

At least there’s no option for “other” or “self-described”

They don't. That's my point

I see araiwa - sorry I misinterpreted what you said.

I do think the language matters though.