A recently published article discusses the different timing for fetal development of the genitals (either male, female, or something in between) and the fetal development of the sexuality of the brain and of sexual orientation. The implications of this research should be clear to everyone here. I have ordered a copy of the article and will report on it in greater detail once I’ve had a chance to read it.

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Swaab, D. F., & Garcia-Falgueras, A. (2009). Sexual differentiation of the human brain in relation to gender identity and sexual orientation. Functional Neurology, 24, 17-28.

ABSTRACT: During the intrauterine period the fetal brain develops in the male direction through a direct action of testosterone on the developing nerve cells, or in the female direction through the absence of this hormone surge. In this way, our gender identity (the conviction of belonging to the male or female gender) and sexual orientation are programmed into our brain structures when we are still in the womb. However, since sexual differentiation of the genitals takes place in the first two months of pregnancy and sexual differentiation of the brain starts in the second half of pregnancy, these two processes can be influenced independently, which may result in transsexuality. This also means that in the event of ambiguous sex at birth, the degree of masculinization of the genitals may not reflect the degree of masculinization of the brain. There is no proof that social environment after birth has an effect on gender identity or sexual orientation. [Emphasis added]

Maybe this indicates that "gender identity" is kind of bogus rather than that there are innate gender differences...

Any sociologist (or any feminist) will tell you that gender and gender identity are purely social constructs. Gender identity is not something you're born with, it is learned through the socialization process that begins at birth. The fact that some people develop gender identities that differ from the social norm is not proof that gender identity is genetic. The drastic change in women's gender roles/identities in the last 50 years is ample evidence that gender is a social construct. Today's American women routinely behave in ways that not long ago would have had them branded as "lesbians" or, at the very least, "unwomanly." Did women's genetics change? No, their attitudes did. Anyway, the issue shouldn't be where our gender identities or sexual orientations come from, but our right as human beings to be true to ourselves, whatever our self-identity may be.

I have to disagree with the above post. Gender has 2 usages, one being a social construct, the other being an innate identity. I think the fact that people who've been subject to the social construct of gender for 50 years finally break and refuse to live a lie is quite good evidence that they've been subject to a social construct that has been at odds with their innate identity.

So maybe a feminist or a sociologist might say gender is purely social, but psychologists in the field of gender studies have been increasingly going with the train of thought that innate gender identity is actually genetic. The change in a gender role and behaviour has nothing to do with whether gender identity is social or genetic at all. I don't identify as female because I of any reason other than because inside, thats my instinct. It's not for any superficial, subject-to-change reasons like behaviour, gender roles.

Studies have in fact shown that the brain structures in MtF transsexuals are similiar to that of cisgendered females.

TeraNata (imported) wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:14 pm Maybe this indicates that "gender identity" is kind of bogus rather than that there are innate gender differences...

In fact, I think there ARE innate gender differences. You're likely to find them in areas such as brain structure, which is really the most probable reason for transsexualism. The existance of a female structured brain in a male body, and vice versa. It makes complete sense. And no, just because it's genetic doesn't mean it has to be cured, any more than being white, black, yellow, brown, has to be cured.