Can someone please explain... (trans)

[WednesdayAllTheWay]

So I've been trying to follow this trans situation for a while but now having skin in the game in the form of a child (and also noting through work how more and more people are identifying as the opposite gender) I need to understand it better.
Feel slightly embarrassed asking but:

1. How exactly do the words sex and gender differ in this area?
2. What reasons do trans people give for wanting to change their physical bodies? As in what do people believe they will get from this that they couldn't get in the body they were born with?
3. What are children being taught at school about this?

Thanks!

There are two sexes, everything else is personality.

Gender identity comes under the 'personality' part.

What a surprise positrans quotes an article about someone with a DSD. Do you have a DSD? Do all transwomen have DSDs?

And what is your genetic structure ? Do you have evidence of any none normal structure ? Or are you just using dsd which you don't have to justify yourself ?

Noone here is denying that "gender" identity can exist in some people. However, that has nothing to do with the fact that your sex remains the same no matter your "gender " identity. Born male sexed still male sexed whether your "gender " identity is transwomen, non binary, gender fluid, a gender, transhuman, and any of the hundred or so gender identities out there.

@titchy

Will you have prostrate exams? Or cervical smear tests? If you have a heart attack or liver condition will you ask for the female treatment protocols to be administered or the male ones?

Trans people are pretty practical when it comes to medicine. I will have whatever exams I need and take the appropriate treatment as required.

Case in point, I was called in for a mammogram last year - yes, female only clinic, and you'll be pleased to know my breasts are healthy. And yes I did mention I was trans, in case it was relevant (it wasn't) and had them add it to my notes.

The average idiot , the average 3 year old, the average farmer can work out sex

You can't?

Sex isn't simple binary though. I mean it's just a fact.

It is though. Xx or xy. Male or female. Large or small gamete. The existence of people with something wrong with them doesn't negate that any more than the existence of blind people negates that humans are a sighted species. And you know that really. You just don't want to admit it because the TRAswill pounce, or because you're enjoying trolling MN. Or both.

Trans people are pretty practical when it comes to medicine. I will have whatever exams I need and take the appropriate treatment as required.

Prostrate exam and male protocols then

Indeed, but not all pregnant people are female.

ummm...... yes. yes they are. Not one male person has been pregnant (there was one male who was found to have uterine cells that has been proposed that they might have once had a twin in utero).

And every female's body is built around their reproductive capability whether it is fully functioning or not.

How many times do women who have fertility issues have to point out how cruel it is to 'other' them in one transwoman's need to call themselves female using reproduction issues as a gotcha.

If you cannot provide evidence without using other peoples medical conditions including females who have reproductive issues, your evidence is very weak.

You have got it
Yeah!!!!

You told them you were trans

Ergo you are not actually woman or you could not be trans . You have to be male to be a trans woman...

Case in point, I was called in for a mammogram last year - yes, female only clinic, and you'll be pleased to know my breasts are healthy. And yes I did mention I was trans, in case it was relevant (it wasn't) and had them add it to my notes.

Breast cancer can occur in both males and females, and as I understand it, transwoman are at higher risk than the average male because of the oestrogen they are taking. So I'm not sure what point you are trying to make there, because to me that comes across as you getting validation from having a mammogram

@Wrongsideofhistorymyarse - a toast

@Passmeabottlemrjones

Case in point, I was called in for a mammogram last year - yes, female only clinic, and you'll be pleased to know my breasts are healthy. And yes I did mention I was trans, in case it was relevant (it wasn't) and had them add it to my notes.

Breast cancer can occur in both males and females, and as I understand it, transwoman are at higher risk than the average male because of the oestrogen they are taking. So I'm not sure what point you are trying to make there, because to me that comes across as you getting validation from having a mammogram

I didn't ask for the mammogram. They send out appointments based on your age.

trying to explain what it's like to someone who doesn't have one is like trying to explain what red looks like to person born blind.

So you accept that not everyone has a "gender identity." Why did you tell me I have one? To forestall any confusion and/or gaslighting: I said "I don't believe in gender identity" after your creepy little mansplaining incident, and I was not expressing disbelief that some people have a subjective experience they label "gender identity."

Age and sex actually

Sex isn't simple binary though. I mean it's just a fact.

so far you have not provided any evidence that doesn't appropriate other medical conditions. I expect that you cannot. I have yet to see anyone who can.

And maybe you will now also stop using Claire Ainsworth's article since she has clarified that it does not mean what you think it means.

Gosh there are some good views here and some that appear to be from 1650!!!

@allmywhat

trying to explain what it's like to someone who doesn't have one is like trying to explain what red looks like to person born blind.

So you accept that not everyone has a "gender identity." Why did you tell me I have one? To forestall any confusion and/or gaslighting: I said "I don't believe in gender identity" after your creepy little mansplaining incident, and I was not expressing disbelief that some people have a subjective experience they label "gender identity."

You missed the point - I told you that you had one to illustrate how silly it is to tell someone they have one when they don't, and therefore how silly it is to tell someone they don't have one when they do.

@titchy I agree that Positrans is just trolling now. But they are deeply insecure if their post about their belief is true:

I simply don't believe I'm not female

The use of double negatives here is interesting: it suggests that underneath this statement lies uncertainty. Positrans does not say "I believe I am female" as there is little proof for this belief.

They write the more equivocal "I simply don't believe I'm not female" - they will counter the accusation of being "not-female" by saying "I don't believe this" rather than saying I am female."

@midgebabe

Age and sex actually

Indeed, and my GP has me registered as female - hence the mammogram appointment.

You missed the point - I told you that you had one to illustrate how silly it is to tell someone they have one when they don't, and therefore how silly it is to tell someone they don't have one when they do.

Yes, that is the exact response I was trying to forestall. No one told you that you don't have a gender identity.

Age and sex actually if you have registered at the NHS as a female, because you say you are, then you will be treated as a female. Unless you state your specific and unique requirements. Which I hope you do state your status as a transwoman so you get the treatment you need.

The supposed "male" woman naturally giving birth:

I've come across it before. That's the only example I've ever seen, and it relates to a woman with mosaicism, ie two different genotypes in one person. Not a sperm producing male.

@Ereshkigalangcleg

The supposed "male" woman naturally giving birth:

I've come across it before. That's the only example I've ever seen, and it relates to a woman with mosaicism, ie two different genotypes in one person. Not a sperm producing male.

And again someone's medical condition. Not proof that sex is spectrum or that males can be pregnant.

Bet you that your doctor doesn't treat you as female when it comes to medication etc.