By the way, if @Klopptimist selectively quotes this, and follows it with some trite remark like ‘glad you’ve come around’ I will literally ban him. Not even joking.
You’ve literally noted there are exceptions!
1 Like
Sex and gender are not the same things. I’ve been speaking German long enough to wish they were!
2 Likes
Your sphere of influence matters too. If you are a well known celebrity, your words will have a higher chance of having someone take action on it. I am sure you have heard of people being indicted for their role in getting someone else to commit crimes by just influencing them with what they say.
That’s right, because then you would be the Oxford Union.
-
My understanding is the XX and XY chromosomes relate to sex - ie the genitals you develop, the way puberty affects you and so on. Gender is much more about what is going on in the brain as it relates to whether you feel more like a man, or a woman, or something else entirely. The two are not the same thing.
-
I think, even though more people are feeling confident and supported to live the life they want to lead (thank goodness for that), gender dysmorphia is still somewhat rare.
1 Like
I’ve just looked up the WHO definition of gender, and it says inter alia that:
“As a social construct, gender varies from society to society and can change over time.”
So basically it means whatever people want it to mean. Which isn’t really a definition by, er, definition.
1 Like
But exceptions are called that for a reason, meaning there are norms. Exceptions do not render norms fake or irrelevant, it just mean exception needs to be managed. And I agree there is no need to be nasty or double down on things even if I don’t agree on certain things.
Oxford Student Union is an organisation making decisions on who it wishes to legitimise as speakers. It is absolutely within its rights to campaign against speakers as it sees fit.
One of the great fallacies of 21st Century Life is that one is entitled to ‘a platform’. Again, that’s never been true.
The right to platform used to have to be won through commitment to a field, development of expertise and a wider interest in what you have to say.
Now any contrarian cunt with a YouTube channel and a million strong audience of gullible idiots thinks they are entitled to a platform at Oxford University.
3 Likes
The WHO is operating in the same context as all of us. This is something on the cutting edge of understanding, we are only just beginning to get our heads round it, but we do know that’s it’s more complicated that we previously though.
Expect that WHO position to evolve and become better as our understanding improves, because that what science does.
No, you wouldn’t. And I’m not giving you the chance to have the satisfaction.
The mod chat thread must be jolly quiet on days like this.
But whatever you do, don’t quash freedom of speech by threatening behaviour.
That was the thinking behind the WHO de-medicalising gender identity from gender dysphoria. Those that have a gender that is different from that assigned at birth may still suffer from gender dysphoria but it isn’t a perquisite of transgenderism and specifying that it was used as a diagnostic criteria needlessly pushed people into a surgical route.
3 Likes
So, if you happen to have views that certain people don’t agree with, you’re a ‘contrarian cunt’ or a ‘gullible idiot’ and not entitled to speak. Good to know.
You freedom of speech does not include the freedom to quote out of context - something you are a fan of doing.
So it’s just a warning that, while I won’t generally get involved in moderating discussions that I am part of, I will make an exception in this case. 
Feel free to continue arguing and debating fairly.
Of course you are entitled to speak. If you are on YouTube talking to a million followers, you are by definition ‘speaking’.
I’m saying other organisations with a more robust approach to science, truth and reason, are not obliged to platform you.
(I confess when I was thinking about this, thoughts did immediately turn to someone like Jordan Peterson)
2 Likes
For stating my opinion? Without swearing? Without insulting other posters? Without telling them they don’t have a fucking clue and have no right to contribute? Why is the left always so angry and keen to attack, we’re friendly and kind over here, you should try it.
Beneath you, fathoms.
Edit:
Sorry, missed off being a fucking transphobe, that one always slips my mind.
Always have, always do.
It’s my opinion that the views you have aired here are transphobic. If you had aired similar assertions about gay people it wouldn’t even be a debate.
You’re friendly and kind? Maybe to people whose existence you deign to acknowledge.
You know what a phobia is? I’m not scared of anybody. So wrong at the first count but I’m not going to shout and swear at you for making this statement. You’re entitled to your opinion. I think you’re a lovely human and look forward to decades of fruitful debate with you on here 