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TechnoratiThe issue of homosexuality has gained increased exposure and acceptance by the media and American public, respectively. Now, as the Senate reviews a hate crimes legislation that would add violent attacks against individuals on the basis of gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, the transgender is emerging in the media with more reports laying out the struggles of persons with gender identity disorder or those who have already made their transition.
Dr. Robert A.J. Gagnon, associate professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Dr. Robert A.J. Gagnon, associate professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, shared his concerns about the media bias on transgenderism and explained that there is more to being a male or a female than a minute portion of the brain, as some experts have argued about the cause of gender identity disorder.
CP: Pete LaBarbera, executive director of Americans for Truth, had mentioned how media has been glorifying the transgender movement. Major news media such as ABC and Newsweek have been reporting on the transgender movement and the reports have seemingly drawn sympathy towards this community. And a popular TV show Ugly Betty added a transgendered character to its cast this year.
Gagnon: This is just what they used to do about homosexual practice earlier.
CP: So do you see the transgender issue emerging on the same path that homosexuality did through the media?
Gagnon: Yes, of course they’re trying to normalize transgender existence. There’s no question about that. That’s why you have the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender) movement.
Initially, for example, even [Congressman] Barney Frank even said with regard to hate crime legislation and employment non-discrimination legislation, the transgender community would have to forget about that including them because America was never going to accept that. They were just going to work on getting approval for gays and lesbians. But now that’s changed because the culture has changed and now they’re going to try to get in the transgender too.
It’s always been pushing for the homosexual agenda with the attempt to eventually – once they get that accepted – move into the acceptance of bisexuality and transgenderism.
CP: LaBarbera also said that mainstream media is justifying its biased reporting on the transgender movement in the name of compassion. Is that how you see it as well?
Gagnon: Yes. They’re trying to present a case where they’re able to demonstrate that these persons cannot help themselves; this is not something they asked for; if you don’t allow them to become transgender, they’ll probably kill themselves.
CP: What’s your take on that?
Gagnon: Well, the biggest problem is the failure to recognize that being male and being female is about more than one possible element of the brain. The argument basically is that the particular portion of the brain that has to do with sexual identity is more female-like in males who become transgendered and more male-like in females who go from a female to male reassignment surgery. And so it basically can all be correlated to congenital developments in the brain.
And what I’m arguing is that being male is about more than just that portion of the brain even if you granted that. And it’s by no means clear there’s any one-to-one correspondence here because in some of these studies, some persons that did not experience this part of their brain as being more female-like (for males) nonetheless became transgendered as females. Some persons who did have that portion of their brain resembling more female-like did not become transgendered. So you have both sides. The change of this part of this brain is neither necessary nor sufficient element for transgenderism. It may create a risk factor, but it’s not a deterministic model. That’s one thing. Continue »
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