Even when I was at university in the 1970s, there was a saying among biologists that “The law recognizes two genders: science recognizes seven” and we’ve found a few more since then.
The first consideration is that all mammal embryos start off female, and then the ones with Y chromosomes develop male characteristics in response to a hormone surge partway through development. This doesn’t always work very well. Some male children are born female and then grow a penis when they hit puberty. Some stay female-shaped all their lives and never know they are really male unless they have a genetic test, although they have internalised testicles where their ovaries should be. Then there are male/female chimaeras who are a mix of male and female cells, with the genitalia of whichever cell line happened to end up in their groin, and females who appear to be male because some hormonal issue during development has caused their clitoris to turn into a penis. These are just a few of the rich tapestry of ways in which biology can leave people with an outward gender which doesn’t match their genes or their hormonal development.
Dr. Renee Richards becomes a woman, and then hangs out with lesbians; the lengths that some dudes will go to pick up chicks that will make out with other chicks.
On the news down here in SA this morning was a story of the problem many transgender people are facing with their cedulas.
A cedula is a national identification card that you are required to have. It has your name, D.O.B. place of birth, nationality, sex, marital status, ( if married – spouses name ), your parents names, your educational level, profession, your signature and fingerprint.
It is used for everything.
Transgender people are facing a major difficulty in getting the law changed to recognize their physical change on their cedulas. A person may have completely physically and medically alter their gender but can’t get the changes made on their id cards which means that they can’t legally be recognized on any documents – bank, medical, insurance, property ownership etc.etc. in their new persona.
While, to a greater or lesser degree, society has become more educated and tolerant, bureaucracy has not. The transgender community still has a long, steep , uphill climb to be understood and accepted
PICTO almost 9 years ago
Come on in… the waters fine.
PICTO almost 9 years ago
When the whole world becomes completely immoral, let us hope we are not to old to enjoy ourselves.
under_dog almost 9 years ago
woulda been nice if Cosmo had come up with a title for the service
banks00wv almost 9 years ago
How ’bout Gender Benders?
Claire Jordan almost 9 years ago
Even when I was at university in the 1970s, there was a saying among biologists that “The law recognizes two genders: science recognizes seven” and we’ve found a few more since then.
The first consideration is that all mammal embryos start off female, and then the ones with Y chromosomes develop male characteristics in response to a hormone surge partway through development. This doesn’t always work very well. Some male children are born female and then grow a penis when they hit puberty. Some stay female-shaped all their lives and never know they are really male unless they have a genetic test, although they have internalised testicles where their ovaries should be. Then there are male/female chimaeras who are a mix of male and female cells, with the genitalia of whichever cell line happened to end up in their groin, and females who appear to be male because some hormonal issue during development has caused their clitoris to turn into a penis. These are just a few of the rich tapestry of ways in which biology can leave people with an outward gender which doesn’t match their genes or their hormonal development.
Dkram almost 9 years ago
Someone’s been watching “The bold and the Beautiful”.\\//_
J Short almost 9 years ago
Dr. Renee Richards becomes a woman, and then hangs out with lesbians; the lengths that some dudes will go to pick up chicks that will make out with other chicks.
Ubintold almost 9 years ago
Turnabout is fair play.
Linguist almost 9 years ago
On the news down here in SA this morning was a story of the problem many transgender people are facing with their cedulas.
A cedula is a national identification card that you are required to have. It has your name, D.O.B. place of birth, nationality, sex, marital status, ( if married – spouses name ), your parents names, your educational level, profession, your signature and fingerprint.
It is used for everything.
Transgender people are facing a major difficulty in getting the law changed to recognize their physical change on their cedulas. A person may have completely physically and medically alter their gender but can’t get the changes made on their id cards which means that they can’t legally be recognized on any documents – bank, medical, insurance, property ownership etc.etc. in their new persona.
While, to a greater or lesser degree, society has become more educated and tolerant, bureaucracy has not. The transgender community still has a long, steep , uphill climb to be understood and accepted
Sailor46 USN 65-95 almost 9 years ago
Well, his/her direction didn’t change, but he/she did change Lanes.
tuslog64 almost 9 years ago
A friend of mine said he always appreciated it when a woman announced she was a lesbian.That way, he wouldn’t waste any more Big Macs on her!
UpaCoCoCreek Premium Member almost 9 years ago
Who want to have kids that used to be adults!
RonBerg13 Premium Member almost 9 years ago
One man’s meat is another man’s pois…. wait… one woman’s man is… uh… one man’s womean… um… uh…
Jim Kerner almost 9 years ago
That’s EASY for you to say.
neverenoughgold almost 9 years ago
Well, at least I know who or what I am, and I like it just the way it is…
neverenoughgold almost 9 years ago
I guess it’s too late to lock the closet door, huh?
wiatr almost 9 years ago
Can’t blame him. I’ve always been interested in women.