Fact Check: You cannot change your gender

Fact Check: "You cannot change your gender"

What We Know

The claim "You cannot change your gender" is misleading and does not reflect the current understanding of gender identity and the processes available for individuals to transition. According to Daphna Stroumsa, a significant body of medical literature supports the notion that transgender individuals can undergo various forms of medical and legal transition to align their physical characteristics and legal identity with their gender identity. This process, often referred to as transitioning, may include hormone therapy, surgeries, and changes to legal documents such as birth certificates and driver's licenses.

In the United States, the legal framework allows for changes to gender markers on identity documents. While some jurisdictions may require surgical intervention for legal recognition, many states do not mandate surgery for individuals to change their legal gender, as noted by the Gender Affirming Health Program. This indicates that individuals can change their gender legally without undergoing surgical procedures, which directly contradicts the claim that one cannot change their gender.

Analysis

The assertion that gender cannot be changed overlooks both medical and legal perspectives on gender identity. The medical community, as highlighted by Stroumsa, has evolved to recognize that being transgender is not a mental illness but rather a valid identity that may require medical support for those who wish to transition. The American Psychiatric Association has shifted its classification from gender identity disorder to gender dysphoria, emphasizing that treatment should focus on alleviating distress associated with the incongruence between one's gender identity and assigned sex at birth (source-1).

From a legal standpoint, the ability to change one's gender is supported by policies in various jurisdictions. The Gender Affirming Health Program outlines that many states allow individuals to update their gender markers without surgical requirements, thus facilitating a legal recognition of gender identity that aligns with personal identity. This reflects a growing trend towards recognizing and affirming gender identity in legal contexts, further challenging the claim that gender cannot be changed.

Furthermore, the notion that gender is immutable fails to consider the lived experiences of transgender individuals who actively engage in transitioning, which includes both social and medical aspects. The Human Rights Campaign emphasizes the fundamental right of individuals to access necessary healthcare, including gender-affirming treatments, which supports the idea that gender can indeed be changed through appropriate medical and legal channels.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that "You cannot change your gender" is inaccurate as it disregards the established medical and legal frameworks that allow for gender transition. Individuals can change their gender through medical treatments and legal processes, which are recognized by various health organizations and legal systems. The evolving understanding of gender identity supports the notion that gender is not a fixed attribute but can be aligned with an individual's self-identified gender.