I think it's also important to remember that the entire 'gender critical' assault on trans people right now is a construction of the American Christian right. They feel they've 'lost' the battle on gay rights, so they decided to peel off trans rights as a wedge issue that they might have a better chance of winning.
That is an interesting perspective and one I'm personally grateful for. The obsession of some Christian groups with sexual orientation and preference is something I find unhelpful to say the least.
The 'gender critical' issue is another one I find bemusing. I personally, as a Christian, hold that gender is a social construction. I would agree that it is something an individual can define. It is up to each of us to define ourselves as either male or female.
I'm still trying to understand how biology and genetics works into this. I'm not talking about someone who feels they are one gender or another, rather what the gender we are born with means, how biology shapes us. There is a difference between male and female physiology that has to be taken into consideration. This is from a purely medical perspective.
That is not to say that personal, psychological or social factors are not relevant. If someone identifies as male or female that does not make their gender identity any less relevant. Suggesting that a male who identifies as female is a greater risk is definitely insulting though. Therein lies the present problem.
It feels a little like this is what some commentators are missing. For women / feminists the issue is about perceived rather than actual risk. It is unfortunate that there is a conflation here. Again I'm speaking as a Christian.
Personally I think that much of the criticism of the American Christian Right is valid. It involves an extreme interpretation of scripture. It is unhelpful in how it portrays faith. If anything it undermines evangelism.
Many boarders are justifiably sceptical / adversant to Christian dogma. To be honest, that is something I can relate to. The average 'Christian' is probably the best advertisement for atheism going. I would just like to offer a slightly different perspective on these issues.
