The Gender Spectrum

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This mornings' discussion around the story "The Beneficiary", caused me to get curious about intersex penile sizes. In doing just a little google search, I found a very interesting NOVA site with an interesting article and several links to yet more informative articles.

So for those who know they are intersexed, and for those who are just trying to figure things out, here is the link:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/intersex-spectrum.html

Enjoy

Gwendolyn

Comments

Thank you, Gwen

Now all we have to do is get the bigots and idiots to read, learn, and understand that gender isn't the same as sex isn't the same as sexuality, and that there are exceptions to most rules.

S.

Some insist that I was abused.

You are quite welcome.

Of course, I have shared that in the past, I was raised as a girl and there was some sort of sexual organ problem at birth that the Doctor took the liberty of "fixing". Looking back, however, I do not see what happened as abuse at all. I think Mum saw something in me and treated me accordingly.

I have initated contact with OHSU, in Oregon to finally get a Kariotype test done, and before it is initiated, I plan to contact the Imam (Preacher) of my old Mosque to get him to tell me what to specify as "frills" in doing that test. In his opinion, I am either XXy or Xy, but in my reading I have learned that even so called normal XX and XY folk can have situations that make them in effect "intersexed".

To my techinical mind it is like having a 4 spd stick with a 3 spd brownie, and a 2 speed axle, so one can have many many different combinations. It really is quite an interesting field of study. In light of my experiences this week, I want to get training as a Nurses Aid when I return to Portland, as I really like caring for people.

So, digressing, it is my dearest hope that in time all the mystery surrounding physical sex can be more fully understood.

Mental gender is really interesting also, and it seems quite tragic that a 6'6" 350lb man should be bothered with feelings of wanting to be the oposite gender. It makes life quite hard.

Happily, I think that much of the press is biased in our favor if one can stay clear of Fox News.

Much peace

Gwendolyn

Your web browsing is appreciated

If I could I'd hug you and give you a kiss on the cheek.
since I was told I ws intersexed i have been on line trying to figure out where I stood. Your web browsing gave me a great boost. I'll print it off and use it as a handout for those who confront me and tell me I can't be the way I am.
I am very greatful for your efforts, again Thank you from the depths of my heart.

Jill Micayla
Be kinder than necessary,Because everyone you meet
Is fighting some kind of battle.

Jill Micayla
Be kinder than necessary,Because everyone you meet
Is fighting some kind of battle.

You are quite welcome Jill

Even were there no physical sign at all, what we think is valid whether some head shrinker says we are delusional or not. I have been around enough OC, Scitzoeffective, Manic Depressive, and other folk that it has impressed me that there really is no such thing as "normal". We all lie along a multi-dimensional continuum so convoluted that I doubt that mere humans can ever desipher it. The best we can do is to be kind and loving to one another, even those who repulse us.

I have been chastened time after time for being judgemental to others, and believe me there are times that I can be pure bitch. However God has not thrown in the towel on me yet, and perhaps someday, I will really start to get it.

I am particularly disdainful of those who trawl bars looking for a lay, and come home drunk or high on drugs. Yet, before I go too far down that road, I must ask forgiveness or I may soon be one of those laying in the gutter outside a sleazy bar. We are all just trying to find our way in a world that none of us created and runs by rules where no one has the real rule book.

I do hope that you are able to find peace at some time along the road.

Much peace

Gwendolyn

The Gender Spectrum

Thanks for your blog and link.

    Stanman
May Your Light Forever Shine
    Stanman
May Your Light Forever Shine

There is a LOT more

There is a LOT more variation than reported in the article. Not only is there xxx/yyy and others, there are more mosaics where different portions of the body, different organs, actually have different genetic Karyotypes. One in 500 people born are not either 46xy nor 46xx. It's just that the physical and outward expression of the karyotype appears normal unless you run the genes. And that folks, is a lot of people.

CaroL

CaroL

Gender as a Spectrum

I see and talk to a lot of different people, and I think I am coming to the belief that Male and female are not the only genders. Sadly, even folk in the GBLT spectrum tend to see only male and female.

I think the rigid ideas about what men and women do are on the way out along with the Dinosaurs and I must admit that I have a very 50s view of the role of women. Lately, I am wondering if my rigid views about that are simply a fantasy. Still, I spent most of my life living the hyper macho life and having done that, don't wish to any more.

Further, I am starting to wonder if this variation around the "true" male and female is simply a God designed evolutionary tool to eventually find the best survival combination for humanity.

Much peace

Gwendolyn