Friday 22 January 2010

Today's Battles : Into the Belly of the Beast

From the Michigan Messenger:
State Rep. Paul Scott, (R-Grand Blanc), announced his candidacy for the GOP nomination for Secretary of State just five days ago, but he’s already caused a shock wave.

Scott, who just completed the first year of his first two-year term in the state House, is rankling feathers with a promise he made in his Jan. 15 announcement letter, which listed four top policy priorities, including:

I will make it a priority to ensure transgender individuals will not be allowed to change the sex on their driver’s license in any circumstance


PaulScott In an interview with Michigan Messenger, Scott said the issue was about “values.”

“It’s a social values issue. If you are born a male, you should be known as a male. Same as with a female, she should be known as a female,” he said.

When asked to explain how such a mandate from the Secretary of State would benefit Michigan, he said it was about “preventing people who are males genetically from dressing as a woman and going into female bathrooms.”

While Scott is aware that federal courts have ruled that gender dysphoria, the medical diagnosis for transgender persons, was a disability, he said he did not think he would run afoul of discrimination laws. For the 27-year-old state representative, the issue is about biological gender.

He said his mandate would be in place even for those who had completely undergone sex reassignment surgeries.

“That’s who you are. You can have cosmetic surgery or reassignment surgery but you are still that gender,” he said.

So I ventured over to Rep Scott's blog. My comment is still to get through moderation, and it may not. So here it is, on the record. Nothing new, readers of this blog will have seen it all before.
Dear Rep Scott – I’ve been on the right since way back. I applaud most of your policies. But in one, you’ve gone badly astray, and your political enemies will have you for breakfast over it.

Bigotry is arrogance, ignorance, and malice.

You confess to being malicious “as a matter of principle”. That’s not always a bad thing – I bear considerable malice to those who beat children to death, as a matter of principle.

That you’re arrogant is obvious by the fact that you’re ignoring all the actual biologists and medics whose views contradict your own. You know better, obviously. Well, again, sometimes people do – but they better be prepared to prove it. Arrogance, while unpleasant, is excusable if you happen to be factually correct. I’ve been guilty of it myself sometimes.

Now onto the ignorance. Everyone knows that XY is male, XX is female, right? You get taught that in grade school. One problem: while that’s usually true, not always. The concept of “genetically male” is biological nonsense.

“A 46,XY mother who developed as a normal woman underwent spontaneous puberty, reached menarche, menstruated regularly, experienced two unassisted pregnancies, and gave birth to a 46,XY daughter with complete gonadal dysgenesis.” – J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Jan;93(1):182-9.

Look that up. It’s on the web.

While you’re at it, look at how many men labelled “transgendered” were born with the usual 46,XY chromosomes of men, but were surgically altered to look female shortly after birth, castrated, with artificial vaginas fashioned, because their genitalia was “ambiguous”, and as one surgeon famously put it, “it’s easier making a hole than a pole”.

The surgeons guess – and get it wrong, by their own admission, one time in 3. These men and women who revolt against this wrongness, and try to get it corrected as adults, are now to fall foul of what your opponents will call “this arrogant, malicious bigot’s ignorance”. Worse… they won’t be lying.

Such cases are the exception rather than the norm. But they exist. That’s why we have procedures, rarely invoked, that deal with them. People in this position already have a hard enough row to hoe. Now your opponents will be able to say “some bigot is trying to make their lot even harder – just because he can.” Just because of your pardonable lack of knowledge, but less pardonable arrogance in not bothering to have that lack corrected.

What about those people – as in this story by CNN – who are born looking female, but masculinise later? There’s thousands like them in the USA. It’s rare, but not that rare.

What’s next – requirements for a genetic test before one gets a drivers licence? You see, fully 1 in 60 people are Intersexed in some way. At least 1 in 500 have genes that don’t match their appearance.

You could well be one of them. You could have De La Chapelle Male syndrome, for example, and be “genetically female” with 46,XX chromosomes. Most don’t know, you see.

Finally, let’s look at the group you’re really targeting. Transsexual women.

Pardon me if I quote a few more medical articles. Just the titles. They’re all available on the web.

Male-to-female transsexuals show sex-atypical hypothalamus activation when smelling odorous steroids
by Berglund et al Cerebral Cortex 2008 18(8):1900-1908;

Male–to–female transsexuals have female neuron numbers in a limbic nucleus.
Kruiver et al J Clin Endocrinol Metab (2000) 85:2034–2041

A sex difference in the human brain and its relation to transsexuality
by Zhou et al Nature (1995) 378:68–70.

A sex difference in the hypothalamic uncinate nucleus: relationship to gender identity
by Garcia-Falgueras et al Brain. 2008 Dec;131(Pt 12):3132-46.

Androgen Receptor Repeat Length Polymorphism Associated with Male-to-Female Transsexualism by Hare at al in Biol.Psych. Vol65, Issue 1, Pp 93-96

“Intersex” means “having an anatomy neither wholly male nor wholly female”. And Transsexuals are Intersexed. Male brains in female bodies, or the reverse. Chromosomes may be 46,XX, 46,XY, or even 47,XXY. One in 500 people are 47,XXY, though only a few percent of those are Transsexual.

It’s as much a congenital condition as being born with a cleft palate. And as much of a choice as being born African-American.

I urge you to get a staffer to check what I say. All the data I gave is on the web. Please have a look at the presentations of seminar S10 at the recent American Psychiatric Association (annual meeting):

S10. The Neurobiological Evidence for Transgenderism
1. Brain Gender Identity Prof. Sidney W. Ecker, M.D.
2. Transsexuality as an Intersex Condition Prof Milton Diamond, Ph.D.

This data doesn’t come from some “Gender Studies” or “Feminist” or “Leftist” group with a political agenda, but from fMRI scans and autopsies of neuro-anatomy.
Yes, another cut'n'paste job. Yes, saying the same old same old. Nothing new. A Tedious repetition of facts that have appeared on this blog many times before.

But that's only because the prejudice, the hysteria, the bigotry, the arrogance and ignorance and malice are nothing new. Tediously repetitive. The same old same old.

It never seems to end. Here is one guy who thinks it's vitally important that
transgender individuals will not be allowed to change the sex on their driver’s license in any circumstance
A priority, in fact.

Just on the off-chance that he's not a demagogue who's picked demonisation of a convenient scapegoat as a road to political power... just in case he believes what he says... I wrote to him as I did. Will it be published? Doubtful, but hope spring eternal in the human breast. Will he read it? Perhaps. One can only hope. Will his views, and his policy change? Breath-holding is contra-indicated. I'm giving him a chance, that's all.

Now he can't say he wasn't informed.

On to another place - the Washington Examiner:
Loudoun County supervisors blasted one of their colleagues Wednesday for sending out a constituent e-mail referring to "cross dressing freaks" in response to the board's recent decision not to discriminate in hiring based on sexual orientation.

The e-mail in question was sent by Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio, R-Sterling, on Jan. 5, the day the Board of Supervisors updated language in its hiring policy.

In 2006, Tim Kaine, then the Virginia governor, signed an executive order protecting employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation. The board's move updated the county's equal employment opportunity statement to conform to the state's policy.

That "means that if a man dressed as a woman wants a job, you have to treat 'it' as a normal person," Delgaudio's e-mail reads.

you have to treat 'it' as a normal person

That is the idea, yes. As I wrote:
Rep Delagudio is not saying anything that many Good, Church-Going Americans aren't thinking. That Intersexed and Transsexual people aren't really human.

Many Good, Church-Going Americans thought that way about Blacks too, not so long ago. Some, a tiny minority now thank goodness, still do.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

It doesn't get much more dehumanizing than being called it.

Anonymous said...

You are so my hero for doing stuff like this. Thank you very much.

Bunny said...

I admire your spunk, and this guy is obviously getting elected by catering to those who are part of the backlash against the Obama administration, BUT I highly doubt an American elected official is going to give a rat's ass what someone from outside his state, let alone someone from outside THE STATES says.

I bet you a pina coloda your comment never makes it on his blog.

Laserlight said...

The Evil, Church-Hating Americans also think that way. The only difference between them, in this context, is that the Dems want to con you into voting for them before they throw you under the bus.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

"When asked to explain how such a mandate from the Secretary of State would benefit Michigan, he said it was about “preventing people who are males genetically from dressing as a woman and going into female bathrooms.”"

So do you have to show your drivers licence before entering a public bathroom in Michigan?

Jillian Page said...

Zoe, I couldn't find an email address for you, so I will leave my message here: I mentioned you in a blog post on my site, and linked to it.

You'll find it in a post called It's Not My Country, But . . .:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/patentpending

Cheers
Jillian Page

Vene said...

I'm a former resident of Michigan and I sent him an email saying that it's bigots like him that make me glad I left. I just thought that it would mean a little bit more because I actually did live there and Michigan does have a serious problem where its residents are leaving.

Makayla said...

Excellent job, Zoe!

Our plight is so easy to understand but the problem in gaining equal rights is that "most" people automatically dismiss us as freaks before they even spend a minute to try to understand. Understanding something new (to them), is just too much like work. It is also because from the moment we are born, we begin to learn from the collective consciousness, which is slow to evolve. We are "programmed" by our environment and encouraged NOT to be free thinkers.
Thank you for contributing truth to this silly society of sheeple.

Zoe Brain said...

Nicky - I told you - stick with one name, no more sockpuppets.

Any posts by you not under the monicker RAD FAB - one which you chose as a consistent name - will be deleted.

You've run out of warnings, and this is the last time I'll give you the courtesy of an explanation.

Not that you're either "Radical" nor "Female at Birth".

Feel free to post your comment again. Here, I'll remind you what you said:

"The only difference between a true hermaphrodite and Zoe is that One is born a Hermaphrodite while Zoe is a wannabe. That's why Zoe will never pass as a woman. Zoe your a FAKE and a FRAUD. "

Unknown said...

Nicely put, Zoe.

I didn't think to check if he had a blog, or not. Kudos to you for doing so, and leaving your usual detailed message.

Carolyn Ann

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this Zoe.

Actually, the other three items (in my opinion) aren't bad:

· I will stand strong against illegal immigration by verifying a valid social security number before issuing anyone a driver’s license, an issue Representative Dave Agema has been pushing for 3 years.

· I will actively push to encrypt the traceable RFID chip in the enhanced driver’s license.

· I will work tirelessly to repeal the over $100 million dollar tax increase on drivers in the form of driver responsibility fees.

I would guess the anti-transgender one:

· I will make it a priority to ensure transgender individuals will not be allowed to change the sex on their driver’s license in any circumstance.

Is in there due to his mistaken religious beliefs. I know several black / African-American people who vote consistantly Democrat but when it comes to LGBT people do not have any compassion or acceptance for them at all. I would guess this explains his stance on transgender persons.

I have to people of this mindset, and their concept of gender is appearance based. If the person has a penis = male. Trying to explain intersex and naturally occuring xx, xy, 47xxy, etc. genetic variations to them is like trying to explain rocket science to a three year old.

You don't have to show a driver's license to use the bathroom in Michigan, just that if someone calls the police they may have a complaint. I don't think there is a specific law in Michigan on the bathroom issue - just charged with disorderly conduct or trespassing.

Another potential problem is if the complaining person hates you that much will they lie and say you exposed yourself or tried to molest them? That possibility is there regardless of the law.

Anyway Zoe, thanks for continuing to fight the good fight.

Wendy in Warren, Michigan

Zimbel said...

@Wendy in Warren, Michigan-

"· I will stand strong against illegal immigration by verifying a valid social security number before issuing anyone a driver’s license, an issue Representative Dave Agema has been pushing for 3 years."

-Interesting. In most states, a Driver's license has no dependency on a Social Security "number" (after all, the later is a "number" for a particular tax, and while a lot of people are subject to that tax, not everyone is subject to that tax). Also, he'll have to be careful of PUBLIC LAW 108–458—SEC. 7214. "INTELLIGENCE REFORM AND TERRORISM
PREVENTION ACT OF 2004"
- although it doesn't prevent exactly what he promises, it does limit what he could do without violating that statute.

However, honestly, I'd take "stand strong against illegal immigration" as code for "hates (recent) immigrants, and will sell any other minority he doesn't like out for a minor perceived advantage in a heartbeat - such, as, say MtF Transexuals - even if it takes down groups with minor casual relationships to the targeted group - such as 3rd generation immigrants from the same countries as the targeted immigrants, or Intersexed citizens". Then, were I a voter in that state, I'd hope that their opponent was better.

However, I'm not a resident of Michigan, and I'm highly unlikely to be eligible to vote there, so best of luck. :)

P.S.: I have tried to explain rocket science to a 3-year old. It didn't go well. :-P

Unknown said...

The man is a menace.

Anonymous said...

This is probably completely irrelevant but, what worries me is that the people who are in positions of power or who are trying to get into POP, have little or no understanding of the human condition outside of their own existence.
Are people worried, that they will be deceived or tricked into situations or relationships they aren’t comfortable in?
Personally, I want to be accepted for who I am, and part of that is who I have been. So long before people get to the point where they might feel betrayed or tricked, it’s a safe bet if they need to know I’ll be the first telling them. I understand everyone isn’t like me but those that aren’t, certainly don’t want to draw attention to themselves by preying on women in the washroom.
We feel we are women (not just pretending!) and just want that recognised, so tell me all you “normal” men and women out there: how many women do you know that would assault another woman? Not just in a ladies room but anywhere?
As for Scott, can you see people’s genetic makeup with your naked eye? I didn’t think so. So who are you to say we aren’t women?
An old saying springs to mind: If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then safe bet....

Anonymous said...

@Wendy in Warren, Michigan (Yeah, a response to myself) to leave an update:

Some good news, at least for Michigan, is that the Democratic candidate for Michigan Secretary of State is a lady named Jocelyn Benson. And unlike the Republican candidate, Jocelyn Benson said she supported the right of transgender residents to have their driver’s license and state identification cards reflect their gender expression.

(Jocelyn Benson's Web Site: http://www.votebenson.com/home)