Should transgenders have equal rights?

[mantra.]

If you're not happy with your gender - surely you can have a sex change without being discriminated against, although "Dasher" could have an unfair advantage because of his/her/its physical strength.

A BITTER feud has erupted at a prestigious Brisbane golf club after it was revealed a leading player was undergoing a sex change.

Male members of Wynnum Golf Club were disgusted when they learned married dad-of-one Don Asher, 52, had begun hormone treatment to become a woman.

They forced Mr Asher to quit the men's team after he turned up for a tournament wearing a dress.

Following an emergency meeting Mr Asher was given permission to play for the ladies team.

Yesterday he said he has never been happier - despite the hostile reaction of his former friends.

"It feels as though everything is right at last," he said.

"It was hard when certain male members were trying to kick me out of the club, but the women have been absolutely lovely."

Mr Asher, of Cleveland, in Brisbane's southeast, has not yet undergone the full sex-change, but hormone tablets have enabled him to grow breasts and he recently changed his name to "Dasher".



http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 21,00.html

[Auzgurl]

The physical strength aspect for Dasher is a concern if she/he wants to compete in a womans tournament. If he wants to be a man then she/he has to own that decision.

What about the socalled man who is now pregnant with her/his 2nd child?

I don't believe its possible to change gender by way of surgically removing a couple of organs and relocating/manipulating them. Its all about DNA and chromosomes isnt it?

If the so called pregnant man still has his uterus..he is still a woman imo.

[boxy]

I don't think it's a big issue in social sports. Some people take it way to seriously. And basically, within the club, if the men don't want to accept the member playing with them, then it's the women's team, eh.

Should people have the right to nominate their own gender? Sure, what do I care if they do.

[Auzgurl]

I don't think it's a big issue in social sports. Some people take it way to seriously. And basically, within the club, if the men don't want to accept the member playing with them, then it's the women's team, eh.

Should people have the right to nominate their own gender? Sure, what do I care if they do.

Yes they should of course.

But it just raises for me the question 'what makes a man what makes a woman?' If they feel that by having an operation it makes them feel better and more in keeping with how they see themselves,then its perfectly fine by me.

[mantra.]

Yes they should of course.

But it just raises for me the question 'what makes a man what makes a woman?' If they feel that by having an operation it makes them feel better and more in keeping with how they see themselves,then its perfectly fine by me.

It's hard to tell whether they do have equal rights or protection. Apparently new Federal laws introduced this year say they do - but discrimination from other government departments seems to continue. There are still plenty of complaints in regard to discrimination in the workplace and in health services.

But in regard to "what makes a man - what makes a woman" - the following explains it a little. Perhaps one day in the future - all babies will be tested in the womb to see whether these genes and receptors are functioning adequately or look normal.

Male transsexual gene link found

Australian researchers have identified a significant link between a gene involved in testosterone action and male transsexualism.

DNA analysis from 112 male-to-female transsexual volunteers showed they were more likely to have a longer version of the androgen receptor gene.

The genetic difference may cause weaker testosterone signals, the team reported in Biological Psychiatry.

However, other genes are also likely to play a part, they stressed.

Increasingly, biological factors are being implicated in gender identity.

One study has shown that certain brain structures in male-to-female transsexual people are more “female like”.

In the latest study, researchers looked for potential differences in three genes known to be involved in sex development - coding for the androgen receptor, the oestrogen receptor and an enzyme which converts testosterone to oestrogen.

Comparison of the DNA from the male to female transsexual participants with 258 controls showed a significant link with a long version of the androgen receptor gene and transsexualism.

Testosterone

It is known that longer versions of the androgen receptor gene are associated with less efficient testosterone signalling.

This reduced action of the male sex hormone may have an effect on gender development in the womb, the researchers speculated.

“We think that these genetic differences might reduce testosterone action and under masculinise the brain during foetal development,” said researcher Lauren Hare from Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research.

Co-author Professor Vincent Harley added: “There is a social stigma that transsexualism is simply a lifestyle choice, however our findings support a biological basis of how gender identity develops.”

Although this is the largest genetic study of transsexualism to date, the researchers now plan to see if the results can be replicated in a larger population.

Terry Reed from the Gender Identity Research and Education Society said she was convinced of a biological basis to transsexualism.

“This study appears to reinforce earlier studies which have indicated that, in some trans people, there may be a genetic trigger to the development of an atypical gender identity.

“However, it may be just one of several routes and, although it seems extremely likely that a biological element will always be present in the aetiology of transsexualism, it’s unlikely that developmental pathways will be the same in all individuals.”

http://pluralsg.wordpress.com/2008/10/2 ... /#more-318

[boxy]

Perhaps one day in the future - all babies will be tested in the womb to see whether these genes and receptors are functioning adequately or look normal.

Oh yeah.

And then what are you suggesting they do with the information?

Fix it?

In what way...

[boxy]

I seem to remember an interesting doco on hermaphrodites, and doctors choosing a gender for them shortly after birth...

[Auzgurl]

It is known that longer versions of the androgen receptor gene are associated with less efficient testosterone signalling.

This reduced action of the male sex hormone may have an effect on gender development in the womb, the researchers speculated.

This problem has been around for a long time..pple feeling as tho they are inhabiting the wrong sex. There is a guy in this town and I can tell you he is prettier than most females here and we have some pretty girls .

But he hides away from the world and he is rarely seen..having experienced the most aggressive taunting since childhood.. he is now psychologically damaged for the experience and is heavily into drugs to escape reality.

It is plain to see the trick nature has played on him- he wears a thick coat of zinc or toothpaste on his face to hide his features..telling everyone it is because the sun burns his face ..black sunglasses and often a scarf as well.

His mother was into drugs herself when pregnant so chromosomal abnormalities are not inconceivable because of the drug use... In every other way he seems male and apparently very smart at school.


But what of those women who want to be men..like the now pregnant man?

[Auzgurl]

Perhaps one day in the future - all babies will be tested in the womb to see whether these genes and receptors are functioning adequately or look normal.

Oh yeah.

And then what are you suggesting they do with the information?

Fix it?

In what way...

maybe boxy so then the parents can make an informed decision about exactly what is coming their way?

Maybe even to abort or not..who knows. I doubt a parent would consider it tho based this condition.

[boxy]

Culling, eh?