If Gender Is Not in Our Private Parts, Is It in Our Brains?

Here’s a TED Talk about transgenderism that is worth a look. It’s given by a transgender woman who is also a neurobiologist with very impressive credentials. In her presentation, which she is obviously uncomfortable giving, she presents a very interesting case for a “natural” explanation for transgenderism. In a nutshell, her theory is  that gender is determined in the uterus in two stages. First, the genitals are developed. Then, about a month later, the brain goes through the changes that make it male or female. A transgender person, according to her theory, is someone whose physiognomy is one gender and whose brain is another.

Putting aside the political problem of suggesting that there is, in fact, a difference in the brain structures of males and females, it’s a fascinating idea. And it may be true. Among other things, it would explain why transgender people say they “felt” like they were one sex or the other from an early age.

Unfortunately, her talk doesn’t fulfill its early promise. After introducing the theory with some intriguing charts and data, she pivots to make a pitch toward compassion and understanding by bringing up the oft-quoted datum that 40% of transgender people contemplate suicide. This, of course, suggests a point that is verboten to even contemplate: that transgenderism is, fundamentally, a mental problem, even if it is biologically rooted.

So, this TED Talk is ultimately disappointing. But the theory may be right. It deserves further study. And another TED talk. I’ll be looking out for it.

Click here… and let me know what you think.