The culture wars surrounding sex and gender are heavily influenced by the battle over language. The words we use to discuss these topics are fiercely contested, from the definitions of sex and gender to terms like woman, man, transgender, and more. Movements on both the left and right seek to control and shape language to further their agendas. In my book, I aim to define these words and explain their usage without bias, striving for open and honest communication with those willing to engage and learn.
The focus of this language battle is evident in Chapters Three and Eight of the book. Chapter Three delves into the progressive movement’s efforts to redefine sex, challenging traditional biological definitions and pushing for a more fluid understanding. Chapter Eight explores the influence of advocacy groups’ style guides on media language, which often erases the biological distinctions between male and female.
These efforts can be seen in the Transgender Association’s style guide, which discourages terms like “biological gender” and “male-bodied” in favor of more inclusive language. However, some of these changes have faced backlash, as seen in the controversy over Johns Hopkins’ definition of “lesbian” as a “non-man attracted to non-men.”
As women’s groups push back against this language shift, they emphasize the importance of acknowledging and centering biological sex in discussions of gender identity. Terms like “trans woman” are replaced with “trans identified male” to highlight the biological reality of these individuals. The fight over language continues to shape the discourse around sex and gender, with both sides fiercely advocating for their preferred definitions and terminology. It can be frustrating to see advocates pushing to combine sex and gender just as we are making progress in understanding their differences. It’s equally frustrating to see them prioritize trans people’s concerns over our own. It’s even more infuriating when these advocates resort to bullying tactics to silence any opposition.
Being told that our biology, which shapes our lives in various ways, is irrelevant and should be ignored in favor of others’ perspectives can be hard to accept. However, after the initial reaction, it’s important to remember that both sex and gender are significant, and finding solutions that don’t exclude anyone unnecessarily is crucial.
In this book, I have respected trans people’s preferred pronouns not out of political correctness, but because it serves both functions of gendered pronouns – conveying information about a person’s sex and reflecting their inner sense of gender. While it is important to acknowledge the adaptive nature of knowing someone’s sex, it is equally important to be supportive, kind, and respectful towards others.
I will continue to use people’s preferred pronouns while also standing against campaigns that seek to erase the distinction between sex and gender. I will always strive to show my support for trans individuals in different ways, without compromising the importance of acknowledging biological differences. Being a good ally does not mean being blind to sex, but it does mean being able to see and respect everyone for who they are.
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