[LabyrinthChick]

I'm in college and I recently had a transgender person come and speak with us. This person, Jamie, had already had surgery and changed genders. I realize that God does not make mistakes, but humans aren't perfect. If it's possible to be born without limbs, or other disorders, do you think it's possible for men to be 'wired' with a female brain and vice versa?

[Ax]

no. generally speaking, these people have psychological disorders, usually stemming from an under developed sexual identity when they were children

[The wirerat]

I would imagine that if God made someone wired as a female, he would include the necessary body styles needed to be conducive to that personality. Like Ax said, a lot of times, these people suffer from under-developed sexual identity. Missing limbs, or body parts are probably not a good comparison for this kind of behavior.

[LabyrinthChick]

Originally Posted by AX

no. generally speaking, these people have psychological disorders, usually stemming from an under developed sexual identity when they were children

Okay, but I also said that God doesn't make mistakes, but human elements can affect how a person is born. God doesn't cause Down Syndrome, or schizophrenia. Things can happen.

[MtlMom]

How did you arrive at the conclusion that God doesn't cause Down's Syndrome or Schizophrenia?

[beanbag]

Mrs M. raises a good point. my mom was talking to me about Down's Syndrome recently (within the context of aborting DS babies), and she made the point that people with DS are often the most loving people you will encounter, and the best example of the love of God here on earth.

in the Bible, too, when the blind man is brought before Jesus and the disciples ask Him which parent sinned and caused the blindness, don't forget what Jesus says. He tells them that the man was born blind so that the glory of God could be revealed in his life. (John 9)

my mom's stance on people with DS is that they are among us to remind us of God's love, and to be an example to us of the simple-hearted, childlike faith that we should all have.

[Ax]

Also, don't forget that there's really no such thing as a sex change. Sex is more than just how a person looks physically. You can't change that person's genes. You can take away the ovaries of a female, but there are still female organs there. You can take away testicles, but that doesn't create a uterus. Not to mention the different levels of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone, that while can be somehwat managed with pills, don't mean the correct levels are being produced naturally. Men & Women have different skeletal structures... Don't be fooled by idiot plastic surgeons...

Furthermore... God has his own plans for everybody. God's plan supercedes our understanding. And while we may not be able to see it, people with birth disorders all fit into God's plan for good.

[Pre-Ex-Girlfriend]

Originally Posted by AX

no. generally speaking, these people have psychological disorders, usually stemming from an under developed sexual identity when they were children

I disagree in two ways. First, I think there is more to psychological disorders than than environment. Some people are born with inherent tendencies and I think that in this case that can include a tendency toward a certain gender. Second, how can you say it it due to and underdeveloped sexual identity? Obviously they have identified with a gender so strongly that they are willing to undergo surgery and take pills to feel physically more like the gender with which they identify. They want to change their sex to match their gender.

[Art]

Originally Posted by Emo_Rachael

I disagree in two ways. First, I think there is more to psychological disorders than than environment. Some people are born with inherent tendencies and I think that in this case that can include a tendency toward a certain gender. Second, how can you say it it due to and underdeveloped sexual identity? Obviously they have identified with a gender so strongly that they are willing to undergo surgery and take pills to feel physically more like the gender with which they identify. They want to change their sex to match their gender.

Sex and gender are the same thing. How are you able to separate the two?

[Rainer.]

Originally Posted by Art

Sex and gender are the same thing. How are you able to separate the two?

According to the transgender community, sex is something that you are biologically made with (X chromosome vs. Y chromosome), while gender is something you identify with (masculinity vs. femininity).

[mtlmouth]

Originally Posted by Rainer.

According to the transgender community, sex is something that you are biologically made with (X chromosome vs. Y chromosome), while gender is something you identify with (masculinity vs. femininity).

Not just the transgender community; this is a distinction in general sociology as well. Sex is biological (male or female), gender is the social expectation that goes with that sex.

[Demon_Hunter]

Gender = male or female.
Sex = Male or Female.

I dont see what the difference is here.

[Dog Box]

Gender=Sex

[BillSPrestonEsq]

I suspect transgender people have trouble dealing with defying the social norms for their gender. I view the gender/sex dichotomy as silly.

I think the issue is that they do not conform to societal norms and view themselves as the problem. A lot of times I think the steps they take are a bad way of dealing with societal expectations.

I think its the wrong thing.

[Art]

Originally Posted by Rainer.

According to the transgender community, sex is something that you are biologically made with (X chromosome vs. Y chromosome), while gender is something you identify with (masculinity vs. femininity).

I understand what they believe. I was asking, essentially, if she agreed with this sentiment.

Originally Posted by mtlmouth

Not just the transgender community; this is a distinction in general sociology as well. Sex is biological (male or female), gender is the social expectation that goes with that sex.

I've never encountered this. I personally find most social expectations (especially those based on gender, race etc.) to be ludicrous. I guess this makes some sense.