
As a secular, democratic humanist I believe that human beings have an inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I believe that any infringement on or limitation of these inalienable rights should be restricted to issues in which one individual’s pursuit of happiness infringes on the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness of other human beings.
So what about the rights of persons who identify with a gender other than the one assigned to them at birth?
I believe that transgender people should have the right to identify with and dress as the gender of their choice. If someone is born a “he” and wants to be referred to as “she”, I believe they should have that right.
But what about children (minors)? Should society allow children to undergo treatment for gender transitioning? My answer: I don’t know. I don’t have enough information. But I believe we should let scientists, medical experts, and psychiatrists/psychologists reach a consensus position on this issue as to what is best for the child and then base our laws on that expert consensus.
What about transgender athletes? This is the tough one for me. I do not believe it is fair for someone who was born male and has been exposed to higher levels of testosterone for a least part of his/her life, giving him/her larger bones and larger muscle mass, to compete in female sports. This previous exposure to higher levels of testosterone gives them an unfair advantage.
I see the only fair solution for this issue to be: (1) persons who have had any exposure to testosterone (in male quantities) cannot participate on a female sports team or league. (2) or, we abolish all gender based sports and select players based on ability alone.
Transgender people are our fellow human beings who deserve our understanding and compassion.
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End of post.