Dick Robinson: Gender identity not ‘taught’

In his May 25 column “I identify as 40 and black. That’s OK, right?” concerning House Bill 2, J. Peder Zane displayed a woefully deficient understanding of “gender identity,” by asserting that it is merely a “social construct that refers to the fluid range of behaviors taught to boys and girls,” e.g., clothing and make-up. He is confusing “gender identity” with “gender expression.”

Relevant medical and scientific experts say that gender identity typically is established early in childhood, a blend of genetics and environment, with an individual’s sex organs irrelevant. Once gender identity is established, at variance with one’s sex organs, the individual does tend to express that identity with behaviors and customs typical of, respectively, either male or female.

Zane’s mistaken view of gender identity as a “taught” behavior rather than a complex substantive reality is an injustice to those who labor under the very real pain of dysphoria, which often can be relieved only by a difficult transition process.

This story was originally published June 21, 2016 at 4:25 PM with the headline "Dick Robinson: Gender identity not ‘taught’."