Recently, a friend “explained” to me that there’s no evidence to support the idea of non-binary gender, scientific or otherwise. No spectrum. No range. No continuum. No arguing with penises and vaginas. Anything more than anatomically male or female is just the figment of a misguided imagination.
Let’s take a look at some of the evidence, shall we?
Of course we shall. This is my blog. We shall.
Proper as FUCK.
First, from Psychology Today, there’s this little gem:
“Using brain-monitoring technologies, researchers have observed some differences, in both the physical makeup of the brain and its activity, between those who exhibit gender dysphoria and those who do not. Such studies represent the most promising empirical approaches to understanding why some people are transgender …”
That’s right, kids. Folks who are transgender are transgender right down to the make-up of their brains.
Oh, but I know what the skeptics are thinking. “Psychology Today? That’s just watered-down psycho-babble for the masses. I get my science from real studies.”
Like you’ve ever read a “real study.” Can you feel my eyes rolling?
But okay. Fine. I can play that way. How ’bout a study conducted by a little-known university called Harvard? Try this one on.
“Several studies confirmed previous findings, showing once more that transgender people appear to be born with brains more similar to gender with which they identify, rather than the one to which they were assigned.”
And from the same study,
“Science tells us that gender is certainly not binary; it may not even be a linear spectrum. Like many other facets of identity, it can operate on a broad range of levels and operate outside of many definitions. And it also appears that gender may not be as static as we assume.”
And those, my friends are but two examples. There are many more.
What’s the point?
The point is that when some uninformed person starts throwing down, claiming gender identity is “simple,” they “simply” don’t know what they’re talking about.
Both psychology and neuroscience confirm this. There’s nothing simple about it, and it extends far beyond two basic categories. It’s certainly not limited by what is or isn’t between your legs.
If you’re going to speak to an issue, know. Yo. Shit.