Is it really possible to change gender

GarIT

This came up in another debate and I've been quite interested since. I know that some countries do allow people to change gender on paper but biologically is it possible to change gender?

I'm in two minds about this myself from what I've read one option is that gender is based on genitals but then you can say if someone has gender reassignment surgery they haven't really changed, they have imitation genitals put in place because they aren't the real thing. The other side of the possible argument is that the X chromosome defines gender and that if you are born with two X chromosomes your female (the reverse also applies) and nothing can change that.

So can someone actually change gender or can they just imitate the other gender?

NegativeCreep

I personally believe that they are just imitating gender. They've physically changed but no way have they changed biologically. I would be of the opinion that your chromosomes determine your gender and since you can't change them, you can't change gender.

Chuck Stone

Sex = male and female

Gender = masculine and feminine

So in essence:

Sex refers to biological differences; chromosomes, hormonal profiles, internal and external sex organs.

Gender describes the characteristics that a society or culture delineates as masculine or feminine.

Source

You could start with some definitions and be a bit more intellectually rigorous imo.

GarIT

Chuck Stone wrote: »

You could start with some definitions and be a bit more intellectually rigorous imo.

I was reading something smilar myself and from that I started to think that a male could never become a female but a man could become a woman.

Based on that I would think thats its wrong to allow someone to legally change their sex on paper, because they can't actually do it in real life.

NegativeCreep

GarIT wrote: »

Chuck Stone wrote: »

You could start with some definitions and be a bit more intellectually rigorous imo.

I was reading something smilar myself and from that I started to think that a male could never become a female but a man could become a woman.

Based on that I would think thats its wrong to allow someone to legally change their sex on paper, because they can't actually do it in real life.

I would never say it's wrong to let them do it. Each to their own and everything. If they feel more comfortable post op than they did pre op then more power to them. It's just that, in my mind, they are technically the same gender post op as they were pre op. But if it makes them happy then so be it.

How Soon Is Now

Wait till one of "Them" sees this thread haha. With a bit of luck yous will get to have an open conversation about this topic in here. Or at least till they all come riding in on there high horses.......

Chuck Stone

angerfist2009 wrote: »

Wait till one of "Them" sees this thread haha. With a bit of luck yous will get to have an open conversation about this topic in here. Or at least till they all come riding in on there high horses.......

You... don't mean... not...

ALIENS!? :eek:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErFsW4-FDWw

Tree

I don't think Biology is an appropriate place for a moral discussion on gender and gender identity. Biological/biochemical discussions only please.