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It sounds plausible that anything with the ability to disturb hormone production could also indirectly affect things like sexuality and one's gender identity. A

It sounds plausible that anything with the ability to disturb hormone production could also indirectly affect things like sexuality and one's gender identity. A quick googling suggests it has been suggested before, and that it's a highly controversial topic as it indicates that something is inherently wrong with being transgender. At best, it's something that needs much more research before any conclusions can be drawn.

zug_zug 6y ago
As somebody with a friend who has gender stuff going on, I can tell you the friend just wants an honest answer out of science and couldn't care less about indirect implications.
- fogihujy 6y ago
  It doesn't affect me at all either, but I'd still be cautious before making any claims hinting that being trans is a medical condition -- if it does indeed turn out to be related, then it could turn a lot of people's lives upside down.
  - pb7 6y ago
    > being trans is a medical condition Curious, what else is it if not that? Eczema is also a medical condition too but we don't shame people for having it. Medical conditions shouldn't carry the implication that you're a broken person as a result of it.
    - zug_zug 6y ago
      Terminology is super important. Obviously everything about a person is a biological fact, but "medical condition" implies a certain severity and negativity. It's sort of like asking if being shorter than 6' a medical condition. Or if being unattractive is a medical condition. Obviously not in the common parlance, and anybody who wanted to classify it as such would be seen as a real agitator. I suppose for people who experience full gender dysphoria and want to transition that's probably necessary for sake of insurance coverage. But I think most people who don't feel either gender norm feels right for them (e.g. "genderqueer") prefer not to have a medical label on it.
      - pb7 6y ago
        > It's sort of like asking if being shorter than 6' a medical condition. Maybe not 6' but isn't dwarfism considered a medical condition? > Or if being unattractive is a medical condition. Again, most cases not, but things like crooked teeth, cleft lips, acne, etc that could be left alone but are frequently treated because they reduce quality of life are considered medical conditions. I buy the argument that "medical condition" can carry heavy negative connotations, especially for minority populations, but still believe anything that requires medical intervention (like hormone therapy but especially reassignment surgery) qualifies. We should just attack the stigma.
        zug_zug 6y ago
        >> I buy the argument that "medical condition" can carry heavy negative connotations, especially for minority populations, but still believe anything that requires medical intervention (like hormone therapy but especially reassignment surgery) qualifies. Yeah I mean my point is it's mostly just semantics and lines in the sand. But semantics matter emotionally. The important thing if you want to research the hypothesis that xenoestrogens can cause trans is just to not offend people along the way. If phrased right I think both left and right can get behind the sentiment that chemical pollution potentially influencing gender identity is something worth investigating.
        pseudalopex 6y ago
        Dwarfism is a symptom of conditions like growth hormone deficiency. Cleft lip can have complications. Most people don't think of cosmetic conditions when they say medical conditions. Gender dysphoria is considered a medical condition. But people can be trans without it.

zug_zug 6y ago

As somebody with a friend who has gender stuff going on, I can tell you the friend just wants an honest answer out of science and couldn't care less about indirect implications.

fogihujy 6y ago
It doesn't affect me at all either, but I'd still be cautious before making any claims hinting that being trans is a medical condition -- if it does indeed turn out to be related, then it could turn a lot of people's lives upside down.
- pb7 6y ago
  > being trans is a medical condition Curious, what else is it if not that? Eczema is also a medical condition too but we don't shame people for having it. Medical conditions shouldn't carry the implication that you're a broken person as a result of it.
  - zug_zug 6y ago
    Terminology is super important. Obviously everything about a person is a biological fact, but "medical condition" implies a certain severity and negativity. It's sort of like asking if being shorter than 6' a medical condition. Or if being unattractive is a medical condition. Obviously not in the common parlance, and anybody who wanted to classify it as such would be seen as a real agitator. I suppose for people who experience full gender dysphoria and want to transition that's probably necessary for sake of insurance coverage. But I think most people who don't feel either gender norm feels right for them (e.g. "genderqueer") prefer not to have a medical label on it.
    - pb7 6y ago
      > It's sort of like asking if being shorter than 6' a medical condition. Maybe not 6' but isn't dwarfism considered a medical condition? > Or if being unattractive is a medical condition. Again, most cases not, but things like crooked teeth, cleft lips, acne, etc that could be left alone but are frequently treated because they reduce quality of life are considered medical conditions. I buy the argument that "medical condition" can carry heavy negative connotations, especially for minority populations, but still believe anything that requires medical intervention (like hormone therapy but especially reassignment surgery) qualifies. We should just attack the stigma.
      - zug_zug 6y ago
        >> I buy the argument that "medical condition" can carry heavy negative connotations, especially for minority populations, but still believe anything that requires medical intervention (like hormone therapy but especially reassignment surgery) qualifies. Yeah I mean my point is it's mostly just semantics and lines in the sand. But semantics matter emotionally. The important thing if you want to research the hypothesis that xenoestrogens can cause trans is just to not offend people along the way. If phrased right I think both left and right can get behind the sentiment that chemical pollution potentially influencing gender identity is something worth investigating.
      - pseudalopex 6y ago
        Dwarfism is a symptom of conditions like growth hormone deficiency. Cleft lip can have complications. Most people don't think of cosmetic conditions when they say medical conditions. Gender dysphoria is considered a medical condition. But people can be trans without it.