THERESA MANGANO

Re: “The landscape of gender is painted in shades of gray” (Commentary, Jan. 24)

I read Leo Caldwell’s article with great interest but it left me with more doubt than certainty. The point of view that a person’s gender is not clearly defined at birth and if he/she does not accept their assigned physical “gender markers,” he/she can decide their own gender is quite a huge assertion!

Caldwell asserts that we determine gender at birth based “on how the genitals appear” and that the “moment of birth is the only time in our lives, outside of sexual relations, that our genitals are used to distinguish our gender.”

What about vocal cord changes, the presence of inner childbearing or child-producing organs, or lactation? These are not clear indicators of gender identity?

Another statement, “Until you have your chromosomes tested, you can’t determine that you are, by scientific standards, a man,” is followed by the disclaimer that even after chromosomal testing, nature doesn’t decide where the categories of intersex, male or female begins or ends. How confusing!

Are we all unknown aberrations until we have DNA testing? According to Caldwell, all our outward and inward characteristics are insufficient proof of gender, so assessment is necessary. But even then, science is apparently not able to determine definitely which gender we are!

I have a great deal of respect for all people — straight, gay, bisexual, transgender or transsexual — whether I agree with their thought process or not. I have compassion for those who are experiencing gender confusion regarding their God-given identity. But based on the writer’s lack of hard evidence, I cannot embrace the idea that “The landscape of sex and gender includes way more gray than black and white.”

The writer lives in Clayton.