Things aren't always what they seem

Cason Honea

Communication of Gender and Sexuality

3/17/12

     This week in my gender class, we got a more in depth look at some people who have made the transition from male to female or female to male. When most people think of the idea of this, they immediately look down on that particular person and tend to make comments on how "sick" or "messed up" they may be. It is almost as if some people just assume that these folks have chose to be this way when really it is quite the contrary. People who have decided to get these sex changes are born in that particular frame of mind. In the article titled The Scientist: A Transforming Field, Julia Serano (formerly known as Thomas) mentions that she always wanted to be a girl. "It was something that had been with me my whole life" (McCook, p.4).  It as well seems as if some people try to make it out as if these people are somewhat inhuman and not logical but in all actuality, some transgendered people are quite bright and it is there outside ways of thinking that give them a unique sense of intelligence. The article that I previously mentioned was about two scientists who have made gender transitions and both were very bright individuals. According to Ben Barres "Biologists in particular are very understanding of the concept of difference....They are used to thinking about problems from different angles and perspectives, and are innately interested in the way life responds to different environments"(McCook p.2). Unfortunately, not all people have the perspective of thinking outside of the box which sadly makes them misconstrue different as "wrong". "And many biologist feel like outsiders, either because they work on processes that few people in general population understand" (McCook p.2). If I could give any advice to people out there who look down on transgendered folks, I would just tell them to take into consideration that these people are born like this, and just like all other people in this world, they play an important role in society and as well can have the capability of having a brilliant mind.

Sources

McCook, A, The Scientist: A Transforming Field, (pgs. 2,4)