Born That Way
by: Neil Whitehead (used by permission)
Most transsexuals believe that their longing for sex-change is
biologically determined. However there is no real evidence for a
biological basis for transsexuality in terms of measurable differences in
genes, brain microstructure or physiology. Like homosexuality,
transsexuality appears to be the result of a complex interaction between
biology, social environment and personal choice. Relationships between the
sexes are intended to mirror that between Christ and his bride, the
church. Transsexuality is therefore wrong; but the Christian response
should not be judgment, but rather love and compassion, providing the
means and support for a change in behavior. As more studies are produced
and misreported each year, so the gap between scientific thought and
popular belief widens.
Only about 5% of cross-dressers, or transvestites, have any desire to be
the opposite sex, but those who do are often convinced they are trapped in
the wrong body.[1] One in thirty thousand of the population is
transsexual, with more men than women being affected. To meet their
demands, ten thousand sex-change operations have been done to date,[2]
creating people physically of one sex but chromosomally of the other.
Despite this high absolute figure, only a small proportion of transsexuals
actually undergo surgery. A significant number withdraw for reasons of
unsuitability of appearance, psychological instability or expense,
although some resort to prostitution for financing. Many refuse essential
preparation such as living successfully two years as the opposite sex, and
fail to keep follow-up appointments, thus disqualifying themselves from
surgery.
Many transsexuals are therefore frustrated; they do not undergo surgery
yet continue to live as the opposite sex. Loneliness is a significant
problem[2] and comes on top of a surprisingly high rate of psychiatric
disturbance.[3,4] A significant minority regret even a successful
operation.
The question arises as to whether these people should have special rights.
The Civil Rights movement in the USA produced case law that said one
criterion for new rights was the unalterable nature of a given condition
(e.g.. black skin). Groups such as transsexuals and homosexuals[5]
therefore argue that their biology determines their sexual orientation.
This strikes a chord with many, particularly sympathetic Christians. This
is a modern argument as fifty years ago,90% of homosexuals believed they
were not born that way while today, most transsexuals think that their
longing for sex- change is innate, biology-derived and unchangeable -a
standpoint known as 'determinism '.
Transsexual rights
Men and women who have undergone sex-change operations may be allowed to
marry and adopt children under new proposals drawn up by Home Office
Ministers. It is currently illegal for Britain's 5,000 transsexuals to
have their original sex altered on their birth certificate. However last
year they won the right under the Sex Discrimination Act to have their new
gender recorded on passports and driving licenses; and also to have sex
change operations on the NHS. Civil liberties groups claim that Britain is
out of step with the rest of Europe where, with the exception of Andorra,
Albania and Ireland, transsexuals are not prevented from marrying. The
Evangelical Alliance is opposed to any change in the law. The issue hit
the headlines in June this year when the Bishop of Bristol, Barry Rogerson,
gave his blessing to a vicar having a sex change operation. (Daily
Telegraph 2000; 22 July)
Biologists discarded behavioral determinism decades ago yet politicians
and activists still cling to this theory. Even sociobiologists such as E.O.
Wilson deny determinism:
'Scientists never speak of genes causing behavior except as a kind of
laboratory shorthand and they never mean it literally '.
Downright maverick is the opinion of Richard Dawkins: 'We are survival
machines - robot vehicles blindly programmed to preserve the selfish
molecules known as genes '.
Identical twin studies have been carried out to determine the degree of
influence of genes on transsexual behavior. Identical twins (virtually
always) have identical genes so if genes directly cause sexual
orientation, both twins should demonstrate the same orientation. Few twin
studies on transsexual behavior have been conducted, so studies on
homosexual behavior are examined. It has been shown that homosexual
behavior in co-twins is 50%or less. One small study[6] on four monozygotic
male twin pairs, one of whom was transsexual, showed only one pair to be
concordant in transsexual behavior. Genes do not, therefore, exclusively
determine homosexual or transsexual behavior, so we are not compelled to
believe in determinism.
Transsexuals (and homosexuals) argue that studies have shown that their
brain microstructure is more feminine.[7,8] While it is difficult to
determine whether brain structure in a particular person is produced by or
influences their behavior, the most unequivocal evidence is that
structures are produced by long-continued behavior. It is known that the
brain changes physically in response to our behavior -London taxi drivers,
for example, have an enlarged part of the brain dealing with navigation!
Transsexual brain differences are therefore more likely to be the result
of transsexual behavior, rather than its cause.
Studies on enzymic and hormonal abnormalities, physical dexterity,
auditory phenomena and psychological profiles of transsexuals have also
been carried out.[9,10] There is little consistency between the studies,
they are poorly replicable and only demonstrate minor links between sexual
behavior and the variables studied. Physiological differences cannot
therefore be claimed to determine or even influence sexual orientation.
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(cont'd)
Many transsexuals (and homosexuals) showed childhood gender non-conformity
with boys displaying girlish behavior and girls acting as tomboys.[11]
Only a small minority of these children become homosexual or lesbian, and
a much smaller proportion become transsexual. Early sexual experience or
distant fathers may be a factor in the development of sexual orientation
in some boys, but only a minority progress to adult homosexuality, let
alone transsexuality.
Unfortunately, the language used by the media to describe homosexuality
and transsexuality often appears to support determinism. A scientific
study which suggests a correlation or link between transsexual or
homosexual behavior and brain structure or hormones, for example, is
reported as showing that these behaviors have a 'biological basis 'or are
'genetic 'or 'due to hormones '.The actual strength of the correlation is
rarely mentioned. As more of these studies are produced and misreported
each year, so the gap between scientific thought and popular belief
widens.
There is thus no evidence for the political case that transsexualism is an
unalterable condition and therefore there is no basis for special civil
rights to be granted to transsexuals. Behavior genetics, for all its
faults, has established that all behaviors are a mixture of genes, family
environment, unique circumstances, and individual choice. No one forces us
into a given behavior. The influence of each factor may be alterable; for
example the contribution of genes may be minimized by more intervention
from the environment. It may become clear with time to an individual that
his will can be used to support genetic tendencies or fight against them.
Sexual orientation may be established in adolescence and people may make
such lifestyle and belief changes that they come to believe that they were
born that way. It is these individuals in particular who come to the
attention of clinicians, yet this sample is highly biased and gives the
false impression that all transsexual behavior is equally entrenched and
difficult to alter.
What should the Christian response to this difficult area be? I suggest
that the ideal for a Christian in the medical profession is that any
behavior or practice should be done 'on earth as it is in heaven'. [12]
Relationships between the sexes are supposed to mirror the relationship
between Christ and his perfected bride. It must therefore be asked whether
a particular sexual activity mirrors the final glorious and pure
relationship found at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Divorce is
inappropriate for a Christian because Jesus will never divorce his bride.
Homosexuality (however loving it may be) is wrong because it does not
reflect the relationship. Transsexuality is wrong because it tries to
alter the pattern.
As Christians, however, we must be careful not to condemn a particular
wrong in others. We are all wrong-doers very much in need of God 's daily
grace, help and forgiveness in our lives to enable us to become more like
Christ. Jesus condemned the Pharisees, 'They tie up heavy loads and put
them on men 's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a
finger to move them '.[13] We a Christians should show love and compassion
towards transsexuals and provide the means and support for a change in
behavior.
For a Christian transsexual, at least, this ideal must be slowly and
gently presented, preferably with personal testimony from those who have
reached it. Skilled psychotherapeutic help is often needed. In the USA I
know of one such specialist transsexual Christian counseling ministry. For
the non-Christian transsexual, however, change in behavior is still
possible, although it may not be deemed necessary and may even be
discouraged in today 's Western culture.
So is it possible to change? Definitely. I have personally met some who
have slowly lost their lonely longing. It is possible to come to believe
that God has made us physically, and intends that we are fulfilled as he
made us. It is possible to lose desire to become a member of the opposite
sex, and then to marry. It is possible to find fulfillment, particularly
in Jesus, and to believe that problems here on Earth are negligible
compared with the future glory. It is possible with God 's help to become
the people God wants us to be.
References
1. Docter R F,Prince V. Transvestism:a survey of 1032 cross-dressers.
Archives of Sexual Behavior 1997;26:589-605
2. Israel G,Tarver D. E. Transgender Care .Philadelphia: Temple University
Press,1997
3. Rekers G. A. Gender Identity Disorder . Rekers G A, Oakes J S, Gay
J.(Eds.) The Journal of Human Sexuality. Carrollton, Texas: Lewis and
Stanley 1996; 11-20
4. Cole C M, O 'Boyle M, Emory L E, Meyer W J. Comorbidity of gender
dysphoria and other major psychiatric diagnoses. Archives of Sexual
Behavior 1997;26:13-26
5. Whitehead N E, Whitehead B K. My Genes Made Me Do It! Layfayette,
Louisiana: Huntington House 1999. For reviews and other information see
mygenes.co.nz
6. Buhrich N, Bailey J M, Martin N G. Sexual orientation, sexual identity,
and sex-dimorphic behaviors in male twins. Behavior Genetics 1991;21:75-96
7. Gorman C. Trapped in the body of a man? Time 1995;66-67
8. Zhou J N,Hofman M A, Gooren L J G, Swaab D F.A sex difference in the
human brain and its relation to transsexuality. Nature 1995;378:68-70
9. Dörner G, Poppe I, Stahl F, Kölzi J, & Übelhack R. Gene-and
environment-dependent neuroendocrine etiogenesis of homosexuality and
transsexualism. Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology,1991; 98:141-150
10. Bosinski H A, Peter M, Bonatz G, Arndt R, Heidenreich M, Siffell N G,
Wille R.A higher rate of hyperandrogenic disorders in female to male
transsexuals. Psychoneuroendocrinology 1997; 22:361-380
11. Zucker K J, Bradley S J. Gender Identity Disorder and Psychosexual
Problems in Children and Adolescents. New York: Guilford Press,1995
12. Matthew 6:10b
13. Matthew 23:4
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