What is transgenderism? A look into the gender amidst Michael Knowles ‘eradication’ comments

The word 'transgenderism' did not exist in the Oxford English dictionary 50 years ago. The word came into existence in 1974 and means 'persons whose sense of personal identity does not correspond with their anatomical sex'.

Transgenderism has faced backlash from many sections of society since it was recognized as a condition. Scientific and humanitarian questions revolving around transgenderism have been doing the rounds for decades, with a consensus never reached.

Most recently, the topic was thrown into controversy again by Daily Wire host Michael Knowles, who in a speech on Saturday, called for the eradication of transgenderism. Read on to learn more.

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Transgenderism: What did Michael Knowles have to say about it?

People whose sense of personal identity does not conform with their birth identity are called transgenders (Image via Pexels/Rosemary Ketchum)

In his speech, Knowles took on the ideology of transgenderism, saying:

"There can be no middle way in dealing with transgenderism. It can be all or nothing."

Knowles believes that if transgenderism is true and men can turn into women, then it should be true for all ages, and if it is false, then it is false for everybody too. He continued:

"And if it’s false, then we should not indulge it, especially when that indulgence requires taking away the rights and customs of many people. It if is false, then for the good of society — and especially for the good of the poor people who have fallen prey to this confusion — then transgenderism must be eradicated from public life entirely — the whole preposterous ideology, at every level."

Many trans people and organizations have described it as an ongoing 'war against LGBTQ people in America and their very right and ability to openly exist'. In light of these accusations flying thick, let’s have a look at what transgenderism is and the meaning of gender identity.

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What is transgender?

With transgenderism, gender neutral pronouns have become popular. (Image via Pexels/Rosemary Ketchum)

People whose gender identity, or their sense of who they are on the inside, does not correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth are referred to as transgenders. Those who identify with the sex they were assigned at birth are said to be cisgender.

There's a wide variety of transgender people in the United States, with a total population of around 1.4 million, as reported by the National Center for Transgender Equality. Although biologically male, a trans woman identifies as a woman.

A transgender man is someone who was born into the female gender but identifies as a man. Some people who identify as transgender do not feel strongly connected to either gender. They may identify as neither male nor female, or they may feel neither masculine nor feminine.

The term 'non-binary' is frequently used to refer to these transgenders. The term 'genderqueer' is sometimes used to refer to those who fall into this category too.

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Difference between gender identity and sexual orientation

The term 'transgender' does not refer to a person's sexual orientation or romantic interests. That's due to the fact that sexual orientation and gender identity are two different things. An individual's inherent preference for romantic or sexual relationships with men, women, or both sexes is what the latter term refers to.

Those who identify as heterosexual ('straight') have romantic feelings for people of the opposite sex. Homosexuals (i.e., gays and lesbians) are attracted to others of the same sex. Someone who identifies as bisexual is attracted to both men and women. Many transgender people are bisexual, but some are also gay or lesbian.

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Difference between transgender and intersex

There's a difference between gender identity and sexual orientation. (Image via Pexels/Rosemary Ketchum)

The two phrases are frequently used interchangeably but have different meanings. In most cases, a transgender person's gender identity does not match the gender of their birth body, which has clear sexual characteristics (male or female). Intersex people, meanwhile, have bodies that don't fit neatly into either gender stereotype.

A baby born with male chromosomes, for instance, may have female-appearing genitalia and other sexual characteristics. Babies born with female chromosomes may experience the opposite. Reproductive anatomy in intersex people can sometimes exhibit features of both sexes. In the range of 1 in 1,500 to 1 in 2,000 births, a baby has a sex mix.

Although it's uncommon, transgender people may also be intersex. A person who is intersex has the option of conforming their lifestyle to the gender they were assigned at birth. An intersex infant born to a female parent may be socialized and expected to maintain a female identity throughout their life.

Some people who are raised as one sex, though, transition to the identity of the other sex, changing their appearance, behavior, and body in ways similar to those of transgender people.