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wnylib

(25,355 posts)
14. I remember learning in biology that human zygotes (fertilized egg before it develops into an embyo and then a fetus)
Tue Jan 21, 2025, 08:27 PM
Jan 2025

begin as females because of the X chromosome presence, as in XX (female) and XY (male). The Y chromosome traits develop as the zygote>embryo>fetus grows.

But, there are other factors so that not all fetuses develop the same. Sometimes at conception, the gender chromosomes are XXY. Sometimes they are XYY. Sometimes with the XY chromosome combination, the hormones associated with the Y chromosome get suppressed and do not function as usual. The person appears to be female, but has internal testes instead of ovaries. Such people feel female and are raised socially as female.

Among people with the usual XY and XX chromosome combinations, who appear to be clearly defined biologically as male or female, there are variations in the amounts of male or female hormone production.

Those are just the variations that I am aware of. They indicate that gender identity is not simple black and white as the anti science MAGAs insist it is. There are variations in self identity and in whom people are attracted to. One professor of biological and psychological human development taught us that identity and sexual attraction preferences are a spectrum and individuals can fall anywhere on the spectrum depending on biology and social environmental influences.

Therefore, identity and sexual attraction should not be controversial political issues and politicians should stay out of it, except for guaranteeing everyone the right to be who they are.



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