Comments on: Goodnight, Mr. Perkins

By: Goodnight, Mr. Perkins « Queer Hatred

Goodnight, Mr. Perkins « Queer Hatred — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:40:11 +0000

[...] Goodnight, Mr. Perkins [...]

By: Zoe Brain

Zoe Brain — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:05:48 +0000

The evidence for a neuro-anatomical cause is pretty strong. In animals, it’s proven – we can reliably induce transsexuality (as we can other intersex conditions) by appropriate hormonal manipulation in gestation.
It’s not proven that this is the only cause in humans: we can’t do experiments on unborn children for obvious ethical reasons.
What we can say is that we’ve not yet found, in thousands of measurements of unequivocally trans people, a single case where the neurology did not conform to a cross-sexed pattern.
The weak link is the one between having cross-sexed neuro-anatomy, and crystallisation of a cross-sexed sex identity (usually called “gender identity” to avoid confusion with “sexual orientation”). There, we have a good theory, Diamond’s “Biased Interaction” theory of gender development, but we’re not sure if this applies in all cases, or just most.

By: Priya Lynn

Priya Lynn — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:09:26 +0000

Ephelei, if you want to accept that transgenderism isn’t entirely biological, that does not mean that it isn’t entirely natural. Socialization is a natural phenomenon and if you think that’s part of the reason why people are transgender it still follws that being transgender is entirely natural – its not something that’s caused by technology or machines.

By: Ephilei

Ephilei — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:13:37 +0000

A very good and necessary article, Christina.

But I most take issue that being transgender and being gay are “100%” natural/physical/biological. To clarify, I interpret that to mean “caused entirely by biological forces and not social causes.” Also, to clarify, I’m transgender, genderqueer, and proud of it. I operate transchristians.org to show being trans is not unchristian and vicechair Illinois Gender Advocates to work for trans rights.

As the American Psychological Association says, “There is no one generally accepted explanation for why some people are transgender. The diversity of transgender expression argues against any simple or unitary explanation. Many experts believe that biological factors such as genetic influences and prenatal hormone levels, early experiences in a person’ family of origin, and other social influences can all contribute to the development of transgender behaviors and identities.”

For anyone to say “it’s entirely biological” or “it’s entirely social” is not supported by the evidence. I don’t know any psychological authority that says either. But if you have, I’m happy to hear it.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:37:40 +0000

Oh, and if you will recall, radical anti-gay activist Phyllis Schlafley is the one who came up with the idea that equality means “men using women’s restrooms.” (As per the ERA battle.) Militant anti-gay activist Perkins is simply copying this tired tactic and using it to revile and slander law-abiding, taxpaying Americans.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:34:41 +0000

Why are unrepentant homophobes so miserable and bitter? Many, such as radical anti-gay activist Perkins, claim to be Christians. However even a child can see from their hateful, vile words that they could not possibly have the spirit of Jesus within them. Jesus makes us feel joyful and happy; He doesn’t make us angry and lash out and revile others. As a matter of fact, the Bible is very clear in more than one place that revilers are going to hell. Unrepentant homophobes should be concerned about the eternal state of their own souls before casting stones at others. They are not born homophobic, they choose to be that way. This means they can also choose to walk away from homophobia, if they can quit gripping so tightly to it.

By: Cobus Fourie

Cobus Fourie — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 07:45:27 +0000

Thank goodness I live in Afrique du Sud! I bet Mr Naidoo will try to take on such issues again when he lost his fight in his unholy crusade against prostitution.

By: SheQuon

SheQuon — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:58:11 +0000

For that matter employers have no right to dictate different hair lengths or jewelry for male and female employees by using the flimsy “sex-appropriate” excuse. I would also like to remind everyone to tell any breeder friends not to patronize eHarmony.com dating service. It’s founder “Dr.” Neil Clarke Warren has deep ties to the FRC.

By: Emily K

Emily K — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:23:05 +0000

P.S., I still today think I have the male and female identities as equal parts of me, while I am undeniably biologically female.

By: Emily K

Emily K — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:21:51 +0000

I like to say that I carry a small piece of the “transgender” mantle, since I have from wee childhood felt that I had both male and female identities equally within my being. I expressed this by never denying my being a girl – and never wanting to change that fact, either – but by dressing as I felt comfortable, which was mostly in boyish or male clothing.