Dear Janus, Earth Angel:

You explained the issue very well in the recent three posts, clearly, well done. You differentiated between “biological sex” which is binary and “gender”/ “gender identity” which is a mix of feelings a person has regarding male/ female bodily parts and features, as well as behaviors and  societal perceptions and expectations relating to biological sex. Gender, according to this definition, is a spectrum of thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

You explained very well the evolution of body dysphoria as it becomes in some people long term, maybe permanent and is focused on gender identity.

Before I proceed with my understanding, I have two questions that can help me  understand better:

1. Humans are the only animals that express gender identity problems, correct? No evidence of other animals in the wild or in captivity disliking their biological sex? I would imagine such evidence would be animals mutilating or trying to rid themselves of their own sexual organs/ features?

2. In societies before testosterone injections were available, before surgical removal of sexual organs and features was an option, what did people suffering from gender identity do? Any literature of people’s struggles from that time, breast binders existing then (does not require medical technology that wasn’t  available then)? I wonder if the lack of the medical option at the time led people at that time to accept their biological sex because of lack of options that are now available…?

anita