It's probably more accurate to describe transitioning as redefining what it means to be a woman, not simply asking people to deny one's physiology or to "play a

It's probably more accurate to describe transitioning as redefining what it means to be a woman, not simply asking people to deny one's physiology or to "play along with a delusion". Before, it was simply being born a certain way. Today, it's shifting to mean acting a certain way combined with medical intervention. If we could redefine marriage to accomidate gay couples, I don't see why we can't redefine womanhood to accomidate transgender people, although it's fair to debate if that's necessarily the best option so long as good-faith is maintained and we recognise transgender people's struggles as legitimate. Intellectual coherency on transgender issues will be rare because so much of it is agenda-driven on many sides, even conflicting within the same side. In a way it's starting to resemble the ferocious debate on climate change. Classifying it one way or the other has grave implications for the loser(s) and it becomes easier to "stretch" your claim when the spectre of that is raised. It's still important to keep in mind that the phenomena underlying the debate is objectively demonstrable: sex-based differentiation in the brain has been observed in ordinary men versus men who transition to women. It's also important to keep in mind that a simple philosophical argument highlights the inconsistency in saying that a man who wants a certain body is diseased for wanting the same things that would cause distress if they were absent in a woman. It remains unseen if redefining womanhood will be a sustainable solution for trans' individuals integration and equality, but the fact that it is considered is reassuring that we have the right priorities as a culture oriented toward the individual, toward secularism, and toward liberty. However, we must be willing to admit what is working and what isn't working. Aspects of transition, such as hormone therapy, clearly work. Other aspects of transition, such as ignoring sex differentiation to the disadvantage of others in sports, may not be working so well. Honesty combined with good-faith and individual, secular values will be important here. (Disclaimer: I am transgender and I consider myself to be more in a third-category best described as "different from most men")