Supporting Transgender People Isn't An Opinion | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Supporting Transgender People Isn't An Opinion

It's something you need to do.

136
Supporting Transgender People Isn't An Opinion
Medscape

Fewer things are more dangerous or frightening than uninformed writers spreading their misinformation among readers who are just waiting for the word “go” to close their minds to the uncomfortable truth. I recently came across an article where the author expressed her opinion that transgender identity was a mental illness. She went further to say that if her kids were transgender, she would not support that decision and of course would seek treatment so that the child could fully appreciate their God-given body. The article has now been taken down.

This is not an opinion. This is ignorance. What is and is not a mental illness, first of all, is not an opinion. Stating that something "in your opinion" is a mental illness just takes away the legitimacy of mental illness and further adds to the stigma belittling the importance of psychological health. Furthermore, the author argued that the gender of a child is their birth sex, no arguments. Sure, their birth sex is their birth sex, but their gender identity doesn't always line up with their genitals, which is why it's important to research this topic if you do not understand it. Finally, she said that she wanted her kids to appreciate God the way He made them. Unfortunately, there's no official Church literature that can rescue her here.

Gender and sex are two different things. Sex is defined by one's reproductive system, whereas gender, as defined by the Oxford English dictionary, refers "to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones." When a new life is conceived, very little is pre-determined. The set of genes that end up creating the physical person are all there, but it’s not known which genes will and won’t be expressed or how they’ll interact. Exactly how an embryo develops into a person depends not only on genetics, but also on their environment within the mother. One little-known fact is that changes and growth that the brain undergoes in utero lead to the formation of gender identity; there are biological and physiological reasons for transgender identity.

Despite the fact that currently, the ICD-10 classifies transgender identity, aka gender dysphoria, as a mental illness, it’s more than likely that the ICD-11 set to be released in 2018 will change this. According to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5, the manual used to diagnose mental illness and disorders, a mental illness is a psychological/psychiatric condition that causes stress or painful symptoms simply because one has the condition. That’s not at all the case with transgender individuals. The stress, depression and anxiety they experience are due to rejection from society, friends and family rather than a direct byproduct of their gender identities.

Regarding the “God-given body” argument…the Church does not have any explicit teachings about how to treat transgender people. But I think it’s safe to say that we can treat them with the support, respect, compassion and dignity that every human deserves. One could also argue that maybe God made transgender people transgender for a reason. Maybe they’re supposed to align with whatever gender they actually identify with. And maybe, it’s OK if that culturally defined gender does not match up perfectly with their biological sex. It is impossible to claim that gender dysphoria is not acceptable in the eyes of God. Not even the official Catholic Church literature claims that.

Whether or not you choose to support transgender people is a reflection of your belief in the legitimacy of the transgender population; it is not because the Christian doctrine encourages you to shun or "treat" them (it doesn't), and it is not because of lack of scientific evidence.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

192447
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

16191
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458874
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27181
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments