Should There Be a Limit to Gender Identities? | Good Morning Britain

Summary

The transcript features a debate on gender identity, focusing on the experiences of a transgender individual who transitioned from male to female. It explores the complexities of gender identification, the challenges faced by those transitioning, and societal perceptions. The conversation touches on the role of media, specifically the BBC, in shaping understanding of gender diversity and the importance of respecting individual experiences and identities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker identifies as a man and has transitioned from male to female, but does not label themselves as transgender.
• 🏳️‍🌈 They believe there are two genders, male and female, and that some people may need to transition to align with their true gender identity.
• 🤔 The speaker shows respect for those who undergo the transition process, acknowledging its physical, psychological, and emotional challenges.
• 👥 They express concern about the proliferation of gender identities beyond the traditional binary, suggesting it might be an agenda or a 'vibe'.
• 👶 The conversation touches on the BBC's role in educating children about gender, with the speaker questioning the validity of teaching a hundred different genders.
• 👨‍🏫 The speaker argues that children should be taught to accept people as they are, without the need for complex gender labels.
• 🤷‍♂️ There is a debate about whether the existence of many gender identities is a recent phenomenon or a reflection of a broader understanding of gender diversity.
• 🐧 A humorous example is given about a penguin identifying as 'two-spirit' or 'pangender', highlighting the absurdity the speaker feels about the situation.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker, a parent of four, suggests that children might misuse gender labels for attention or confusion, and emphasizes the importance of parental guidance.
• 🌈 The conversation ends with a critique of the BBC's approach to gender education, with the speaker dismissing the idea of a hundred genders as 'cobblers' (nonsense).

Q & A

What is the speaker's opinion on the existence of multiple genders?

The speaker believes there are only two genders, male and female, and that some people are not fortunate enough to be born into the gender they identify with, leading them to transition.

How does the speaker feel about the term 'transgender'?

The speaker has transitioned from male to female but does not identify as transgender and feels that their friends would react negatively if they did.

What does the speaker think about the process of transitioning?

The speaker acknowledges that transitioning is not an easy process, involving physical, psychological, and emotional challenges, and expresses respect for those who undertake it.

What is the speaker's view on the BBC's stance on gender identity?

The speaker criticizes the BBC for promoting the idea that there are many genders to children, arguing that it's an agenda and not based on common sense.

Why does the speaker believe the BBC's approach to gender identity could be harmful?

The speaker is concerned that the BBC's approach could confuse children and make the serious issue of transgender identity seem ridiculous, potentially leading to mockery.

What does the speaker suggest should be the focus when discussing gender identity with children?

The speaker suggests that the focus should be on helping children feel comfortable with who they are and allowing them to express their feelings without being pressured into identifying with a specific gender.

What is the speaker's opinion on the term 'cisgender'?

The speaker understands 'cisgender' to mean someone who identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth, but seems to express discomfort with the term when applied to themselves.

How does the speaker react to the idea of non-binary or genderqueer identities?

The speaker appears to be unfamiliar and skeptical about non-binary or genderqueer identities, questioning the validity of such terms and expressing confusion.

What is the speaker's stance on the use of the term 'gender non-conforming'?

The speaker does not explicitly address 'gender non-conforming,' but their overall stance suggests they might view it as another term contributing to the complexity and potential confusion around gender identity.

What does the speaker think about the role of parents and educators in discussing gender identity?

The speaker believes that parents and educators should help children navigate life and feel comfortable with their identity, while also keeping things simple and not encouraging confusion.

What is the speaker's view on the existence of various sexual orientations?

The speaker acknowledges the existence of different sexual orientations such as gay, bisexual, and pansexual but seems to draw the line at the idea of an extensive list, suggesting it could be a form of agenda.

Outlines

00:00

🌈 Gender Identity and Transitioning

The speaker begins by discussing their personal experience as a transgender woman, emphasizing that while they respect the concept of transitioning, they personally do not identify as transgender. They express a traditional view of gender, believing there are only two genders, male and female, and that some individuals are not fortunate to be born into the gender they identify with, hence the need for transitioning. The speaker also introduces the concept of cisgender, explaining it as identifying with the gender one is assigned at birth. The conversation touches on the complexity of gender identity and the challenges faced by those who transition, both physically and emotionally. It also critiques the idea of having numerous gender identities, suggesting that such categorization can be confusing and unnecessary.

05:01

👶 Children and Gender Identity

This paragraph delves into the implications of teaching children about various gender identities. The speaker argues against the notion of presenting children with a wide array of gender identities, suggesting it could lead to confusion and misuse. They express skepticism about terms like 'non-binary' and 'gender-neutral', and criticize the idea of promoting such identities to children, fearing it could encourage them to adopt labels that don't accurately reflect their true identities. The speaker also discusses their role as a parent, emphasizing the importance of guiding children through life and helping them understand their feelings without imposing labels. There's a debate about the responsibility of educators and parents in supporting children who may identify with non-traditional gender identities, with the speaker advocating for a more simplified approach to gender identity in education.

10:01

🏳️‍🌈 The Evolution of Gender and Sexuality

The final paragraph discusses the evolution of understanding around gender and sexuality. The speaker reflects on their own experience of coming out as gay and the progress society has made in recognizing diverse sexual orientations. They question the need for an extensive list of gender identities and sexualities, suggesting that such categorization can be arbitrary and unnecessary. The conversation highlights the importance of respecting individual identities while also critiquing the potential for overcomplicating these concepts. The speaker argues against the idea that everyone must adapt to an ever-growing list of identities, advocating instead for a more inclusive approach that allows people to define themselves without being pigeonholed into specific categories.

Keywords

💡Transgender

Transgender refers to individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. In the script, the speaker discusses their personal transition from male to female but chooses not to identify as transgender, reflecting on the complexities of gender identity and personal choice. The term is central to the video's theme, which explores the spectrum of gender identities and the challenges faced by those who do not conform to traditional gender binaries.

💡Cisgender

Cisgender is a term used to describe individuals whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. In the video script, the speaker identifies as a cisgendered man, indicating that their gender identity aligns with their biological sex. This term is used to contrast with transgender identities and to highlight the diversity of gender experiences.

💡Gender Identity

Gender identity is a deeply-felt sense of being male, female, or something else, and may not necessarily correspond to an individual's biological sex. The script explores this concept through the speaker's personal narrative and the broader discussion on the recognition of various gender identities beyond the traditional male/female binary.

💡Non-Binary

Non-binary is a term used to describe a gender identity that does not fit within the traditional male/female binary. The script touches on this concept when discussing the existence of multiple genders beyond the binary, emphasizing the need for understanding and acceptance of diverse gender identities.

💡Gender Transition

Gender transition refers to the process by which some people change their physical appearance and/or social role to align with their gender identity. The speaker in the script mentions their own transition from male to female, underscoring the physical, psychological, and emotional challenges involved in such a process.

💡Two-Spirit

Two-Spirit is a term used by some Indigenous North Americans to describe individuals who identify as having both a masculine and a feminine spirit. In the script, this term is mentioned as one of many gender identities listed by the BBC, highlighting the diversity of gender expressions across different cultures.

💡Polygender

Polygender is a term used to describe individuals who identify as having multiple genders. The script includes this term in a list of gender identities that are considered by some to be part of a broader gender spectrum, challenging traditional notions of gender as strictly binary.

💡Pangender

Pangender is a term that refers to individuals who identify as all genders. The script mentions this term in the context of a debate about the validity and understanding of various gender identities, reflecting the ongoing conversation about gender diversity and recognition.

💡Intergender

Intergender is a term used to describe individuals who do not identify exclusively as male or female but rather somewhere in between or transcending the binary. The script includes this term as part of a broader discussion on the complexity of gender identities and the need for societal recognition and understanding.

💡Gender Non-Conforming

Gender non-conforming refers to individuals whose gender expression or identity does not adhere to societal expectations typically associated with their assigned sex at birth. The script touches on this concept when discussing the challenges faced by individuals who do not fit neatly into traditional gender categories.

💡Self-Identification

Self-identification in the context of gender refers to an individual's personal recognition and expression of their own gender identity. The script discusses the importance of allowing individuals to self-identify, reflecting a broader societal shift towards greater acceptance and recognition of diverse gender identities.

Highlights

The speaker identifies as a man after transitioning from male to female, but does not identify as transgender.

Opinion expressed that there are only two genders, male and female, and that some people transition to align with their perceived gender.

Respect for those who transition is expressed, acknowledging the difficulty of the process.

The term 'cisgendered man' is introduced to describe someone who identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth.

A challenge is made to the idea of a long list of genders, suggesting it's an agenda rather than a reflection of reality.

The BBC is criticized for promoting the idea of many genders to children, with the speaker expressing ignorance of many listed genders.

The concept of 'non-binary' and 'genderqueer' identities is discussed, with the speaker questioning their validity.

The speaker argues that the promotion of many genders could lead to mockery and confusion, particularly for children.

A defense is made for the importance of understanding and respecting different gender identities, even if they are not well-known.

The term 'two-spirit' is mentioned, with a suggestion that it relates to Native American identities.

The speaker expresses concern that the complexity of gender identities could be used by children to be mischievous.

The idea that gender identity is about 'vibe' or personal feeling is discussed, with the speaker suggesting it's a personal matter.

The speaker argues against the need for complex gender terminology, advocating for simplicity and respect for individual identities.

The concept of 'new Troy's' as a gender identity is humorously introduced, highlighting the absurdity perceived by the speaker.

The speaker suggests that the promotion of many genders undermines the seriousness of transgender experiences.

The conversation touches on the historical understanding of gender and sexuality, with a comparison to evolving views on these topics.

The speaker questions the need for a multitude of gender identities, advocating for the traditional binary view.

The conversation concludes with a humorous note, suggesting that the complexity of gender identities could lead to absurd self-identification.

Transcripts

you are transgender i well i

transitioned from male to female but i

don't i've never referred to myself as

transgender and if i did i think my

friends would go ballistic my opinion is

there are two genders male and female

sometimes you're not lucky enough to be

born into the right one so you

transition into the one that you see me

it's eminently sensible and i have

complete respect for people that do that

it's not an easy process physically

psychologically emotionally or any of

those things i salute you for your

common sense now let's bring you into

this equation you think it is right do

you identify i'm a man that's right

so in gender what are you I'm a

cisgendered man I mean so that means if

you were so you were born a woman and

therefore nice to identify as a woman so

you're a cisgendered women okay nothing

because of my physical that's because

female now who identify with how you

marginally why serious is gendered I'm

honest anything if I if I may assume not

assists anything whereas to mister man

we know but you assist gendered matters

gendered anything but hang on this mean

well that means that you were born the

way that you identify it I'm just born a

man but someone who transition are you

is just you calling me something I'm not

well you can refer to yourself as just a

man if if if if you like but most people

identify as male or female man or woman

that's right the vast majority of people

but that doesn't mean that there aren't

other people who identify differently

there are no different genders on this

BBC list apparently right one of them is

two-spirit person poly gender pangender

new Troy's inter-gender I have to say I

have no idea what they mean and I'm I

can't don't ask me to list off spirit

person I think that's someone who

identifies with their native background

into their gems you know I think this is

just like a vibe that somebody's having

like when you tick a list male or female

doing your passport or something is this

not just this is just

they are this is just a bit of an agenda

is I know you support what the BBC's do

this by the way this is the public

broadcaster now the public broadcaster

paid for by mass with the licence fee is

now instructing children there are a

hundred genders they can identify as you

have come to defend it and you don't

know what half of these are but hang on

peers ignorance isn't a defense you're

the ignorant one and you're the one

defending it well here's you're the one

that doesn't nobody is as well of course

I'm about to tell you you know what

agenda is a fairly new were stemming

from the Greek a poor meaning separate

app origin there's an umbrella term

meaning a gender separate from

male/female and anything in between must

all having a very strong a specific

gendered feeling that latter part is key

then distinguishing it from a gender

somebody a bully can you explain that to

me what does that mean well that means

that someone identifies differently to

you and that's what is it can you

explain which is one of the hundred

genders that kids now have to be what is

it but how good a you know it's not it's

not it's not University Challenge I just

told you what it is this is what my

problem with when I was a child

university level for us to get our heads

around a hundred different gender

identities and I think Nichol makes a

really good point

it's actually it's about personality

it's just their thing if I was that I

mean I spent my whole childhood watching

the animals of farthing woods you know I

you're impressionable you know you've

got to be careful i but you didn't I

don't know but I thought I was a

squirrel I thought I was gonna grow up

and be surrounded in a tree surrounded

by nuts you know I'm German what is new

troy's oh come on are we gonna go

through a 100 you know any of them

national television to defend the BBC

telling kids are a hundred genders I'm

now reading out a number of these

hundred genders I've never heard of them

we've no idea what they are but see you

want to encourage my BBC to instruct our

kids that they should be one of these

genders but that isn't the point the

fact is that is the point the fact is

that people identify in different ways

and when you get bogged down by the idea

that children might know that they're

different

that there might be helped to understand

why they're different that the teachers

teaching them might be prepared with the

apparatus to explain it to them that is

a good thing

absolutely you know what new choices you

might find it strange and unusual and we

might not be able to answer what

everyone if the 100 is that doesn't

exist

wellyou've is suspect you picked the

picking them around you have things like

no for I picked three then you have no

idea what they are do you know what new

troy's is tell me tell me well okay I

don't know a mention you a nine year old

kid and the BBC's told you to be one of

these so what's new choice well no

that's not what would happen what would

happen is the kid would say how they're

feeling here's what new choices each I

might you want to explain have you got

any kids no I don't know I've four kids

right including three boys right so I'm

just trying to imagine a conversation

with my three when they were nine and my

daughter's nearly nine as well seven and

a half right new toys someone with a

null or neutral gender being neither

male nor female and in some cases a

person who may also seek to reduce signs

of their physicals eggs right new toys

which is absolutely fine if that's their

vibe right we should be teaching

children not to be black kids can be

awful we should be teaching children to

just let people get on with it let

people have their own vibe I'm not what

is wrong with just being male female or

trans and just have your parity in other

words three things that you're male or

female or you identify something else

right but they don't do it has these

ridiculous terms that even you the world

expert on gender has no idea what any of

them are and I can't even myself be an

expert to experience on transition I

feel a bit like Dinah but being tested

all these details here I'm not yeah you

sound a bit like Dinah she never knows

she's talking about either so this is my

point you're not on charge of your brief

Benjamin I switch to having a go at

Diana Baur

conversation actually I think the truth

is that kids identify in different ways

and the real thing that we should be

focused on here what's the job of a

parent and a school teacher with a child

it's and make them feel comfortable in

who they are or also oh let me throw you

some here you

having been a parent of four kids not

using that as a stick against you right

I just happen to have

had four kids and I believe the job of a

parent is actually to navigate them

through life which is difficult

especially to keep things relatively

simple and to let the child know that

they can come and talk to their parents

if they feel a bit different I know if

you start telling those kids will reach

a stage where - just to be mischievous

and to play up a bit they'll all say dad

I'm new toys today right no I don't

think you do that that's exactly what

kids do me I'm telling you

not any more kids do this long actually

if they've got a little label they can

attach themselves to and be encouraged

to do it

find the Biba say your child they will

do well they know they can talk to you

but if they you know if they feel

differently and there are things that we

can do to help them adapt in life that's

the whole world shouldn't adapt you

don't agree that there are a hundred let

me get a word well I agree that people

have identified as all these things and

the truth is I don't accept that you can

convince a kid that they are something

other than they are we talk about kids

being confused by this the truth is that

if you're not assist man or women then

you've been controlling for hundreds of

years I'm a man well fine and that's how

you can identify insulted and offended

that you're calling me assist man when

I'm actually a man well you see but let

me give the offense business right when

you give the offense business where

everyone is offended by all this

terminology right actually I'm offended

by you calling me assessment and it is

actually used as an insult when people

are called sis well I was soon I'm being

called a right now and I don't

like it but as soon as you box people

into identities and splits people off

from each other doesn't it why is this

all happening now I think it gives

people a sense of who they are and I

don't accept we could promote this you

know I learned about World War two for

several years at school but I'm yet to

think invading Poland is a good idea you

can't convince identify there's a

penguin at the Sea Life Aquarium in

London that is currently being reared

gender neutral

apparently has gay parents right mum

something to say on this subject this

new world of self-identification can as

I did earlier now identify as

two-spirit new troy's penguin well

you're not a penguin because Jesus bit

guys who says I'm not well I mean that's

not a thing that how I this is the

distinction people do identify that year

Tuesday merit new troy's pangender

penguin and how dare you how dare you

tell me I can't identify as that how

dare you offend way make it ridiculous

well only if they want to make it

ridiculous you know common sense says

that these are different normals

Benjamin genders that real people have

identified as they haven't identified as

a penguin

we've been male and female for two

hundred thousand years we have what is

risen in the last of the last two or

three decades we've got a large number

of people transgender ring quite rightly

as our wonderful guest has today and I

they have my complete respect what this

does it actually makes I think people

who have transgendered it makes them a

figures of fun it exposes them to

needless mockery it makes the whole

thing look ridiculous you more and

actually the real victims tend to be

people who have transgendered and have

to put up with this nonsense no I don't

think that's a defense of being ignorant

the fact that people when I went to

school my teachers couldn't believe

there's more than one sexuality they're

incapable of dealing when I came out as

gay as a teammate right we're con

journey we're making progress

how many sexualities do you think there

are well don't ask me - well I'm gay

there's bisexual there's pansexual

there's also how many other sexualities

do you have an answer yourself

no tell me well but no because I'm not

the I'm not you nor a hundred I'm not

gonna leave any choice gender

non-conforming basic five second your

own sex or you love the opposite sex or

you like like a bit about yeah I mean II

never have to go back to be attracted to

more than one gender into their agenda

probably won't really put me a hundred

different sexualities now well then you

because if I define like bizarrely

attracted to new troy's people right

which I didn't know I was but maybe I am

maybe if there were 100 you

choice people here now I would suddenly

feel sexually attracted to does that

make me a sis male new Troy's ility or

something what I have no idea what you

just said it won't make you pansexual

because that's when you attracted to

someone regardless of we don't all have

to adapt to that we just let people get

on with their business okay let's just

let people get on with their B yeah the

BBC told us this is an informed

professional view from a qualified

teacher who is a personal social health

and economic education specialist her

opinion is based on her own extensive

extensive research and many

conversations were young LGBTQ people

she is not saying these and medical

definitions of gender but is talking

about how people identify to put it

another way she's talking complete

cobblers okay thank you both very much

indeed I think and apologies to anybody

who doesn't identify with having

cobblers or if you're a cobbler and you

make shoes I meant shoemakers if you if

you have a problem a shoemakers maybe

you're a new choice cobbler and you feel

ourselves strangely attracted to

cobblers in which case good luck see I

respect you

nonconformist who knows

you