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The idea that sex is non-binary and socially constructed is certainly around. The first time I heard it was about a year ago on an podcast interview from Sam Ha

The idea that sex is non-binary and socially constructed is certainly around. The first time I heard it was about a year ago on an podcast interview from Sam Harris with an expert in the field of gender studies or something, saying we should consider that gay men might actually be women. One recent event that brings it to light is JK Rowling said something along those lines, basically that women menstrate¹, and that caused a lot of controversy. I'm sure you'll be able to find plenty of articles against her for saying that. [1] https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1269382518362509313 https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1269382518362509313

Volundr 6y ago
Sure. But they aren't saying biological sex doesn't exist. They are saying there is sex and gender and that these two things can be different. Specifically sex is biological, while gender is a social and physiological construct. What is explicitly NOT being said is that biological sex is non-existent. And they are saying that a person's gender may be female while their biological sex can be male (or ambiguous), and that these people should still be considered women. That's very different from saying biological sex doesn't exist.
- akvadrako 6y ago
  That is comprehensible except it isn't related to what I said. This thread isn't about gender - it's about sex. It's good you haven't understood people saying sex isn't biological, because it's not a defensible position. Hopefully their voices don't become more prominent.
DanBC 6y ago
> basically that women menstrate¹ Lots of women don't menstruate. Children, older women, women who've had hysterectomies, some women with intersex conditions, and transwomen. Some men do menstruate. Transmen, and some people with intersex conditions. This argument is not saying that "sex isn't real". It's saying that using terms that define sex are not good enough for some topics.

Volundr 6y ago

Sure. But they aren't saying biological sex doesn't exist. They are saying there is sex and gender and that these two things can be different. Specifically sex is biological, while gender is a social and physiological construct. What is explicitly NOT being said is that biological sex is non-existent. And they are saying that a person's gender may be female while their biological sex can be male (or ambiguous), and that these people should still be considered women. That's very different from saying biological sex doesn't exist.

akvadrako 6y ago
That is comprehensible except it isn't related to what I said. This thread isn't about gender - it's about sex. It's good you haven't understood people saying sex isn't biological, because it's not a defensible position. Hopefully their voices don't become more prominent.

DanBC 6y ago

> basically that women menstrate¹ Lots of women don't menstruate. Children, older women, women who've had hysterectomies, some women with intersex conditions, and transwomen. Some men do menstruate. Transmen, and some people with intersex conditions. This argument is not saying that "sex isn't real". It's saying that using terms that define sex are not good enough for some topics.