Is Transgender an Ethnic Group or Race ?

[Kelly DeWinter]

Ethnic group

, a social

group

or category of the population that, in a larger society, is set apart and bound together by common ties of race, language, nationality, or culture.

Race

[rās] a class or breed of animals; a group of individuals having certain characteristics in common, owing to a common inheritance.

race

(rās) n. 1. A group of people identified as distinct from other groups because of supposed physical or genetic traits shared by the group.

Biology by Degrees - we all (everyone in the world) have a genetic makeup that is different by degrees than every one else.

I'm an armchair biologist , I read a lot about biology and have no formal education in it.

I hear and read a lot about CD/TG "Identifying" as the opposite sex, but I can't help thinking it's more than that. As human our biological makeup includes not only organs, but a chemical soup that if different from person to person , group to group. ethnic group to ethnic group.

A read a article about a female athlete who was told she could not compete as a woman unless she reduced her naturally occurring level of testosterone and a male swimmer who was praised because of his extremely low levels of estrogen in his system. Just two examples of average people with unexpected chemistry for their sex.

Even within a race of people there are shared chemical levels with the body that act differently. Natives of polar regions have trace levels of naturally occurring

antifreeze protein from Pseudopleuronectes americanus, the antifreeze mechanism of the type-I AFP molecule.

Tropical races have

Molecular photoprotection of

human

keratinocytes as infants to protect against the sum

It seems as if nature evolves humans for different niches to fulfill a purpose.

One of the most comprehensive studies of provides Evidence on the BIOLOGICAL nature of Gender Identify

"

The researchers conducted a literature search and reviewed articles that showed positive biologic bases for gender identity.
These included disorders of sexual development, such as
. penile agenesis,
. neuroanatomical differences, such as grey and white matter studies, and
. steroid hormone genetics, such as genes associated with sex hormone receptors.
They conclude that current data suggests a biological etiology for transgender identity."

Evidence Supporting the Biologic Nature of Gender Identity

Aruna Saraswat, Jamie Weinand and Joshua Safer
Endocrine Practice Feb 2015, Vol. 21, No. 2 (February 2015) pp. 199-204

Abstract

|

PDF (443 KB)

| Track Citations(

RSS

The research suggests as many as 1 in 100 people have Gender Identity.

I submit that the evidence that so many people identify as transgender is evidence to entertain that probability that as a group they can be considered an ethnic group if not a race.

Any thoughts ?

[Patience]

No.

Next question.

[Aunt Kelly]

Here we go again. Let's redefine a term that has broadly accepted definition already...
Look, I get that the cited definitions appear to allow someone so inclined to slide some or all TG groups into the set of races, but why the hell would we do that?

[April Rose]

A stretch.

[Tracii G]

Everything in that study you referenced is opinion as are most studies.
Just because it gets published does not make it fact.
So the answer is no.

[Robertacd]

No and no as TG is present in all races and ethnic groups.

[Stephanie47]

Roberta, excellent point.

[Jaylyn]

Kelly I believe that's a no because all the applications for jobs, applications for admissions, applications for credit, and a numerous other info sheets only have two boxes [male] [ female] check one. I have not seen a tarns box yet and most forms don't even have a race box anymore.
Now my hunting license does have a gender box Buck or Doe ,

[Tracii G]

Really hate to see studies like this that continue to further divide people.
We are one race the human race.

[Becoming Brianna]

I agree with Kelly. This is foolish. A community yes an ethnic group no.

[Shelly Preston]

No and no as TG is present in all races and ethnic groups.

I think this sums up the answer in one sentence.

The only think we really share right now, is no one has come up with a definitive answer as to why we are the way we are.

[Crissy 107]

I agree with Roberta and Shelly.

[Micki_Finn]

It’s a gender... like it says in the name...

bi-racial isn’t a sexual orientation. Why would Transgender be a race?

[Jodie_Lynn]

Firstly, the term "race" is misleading. As far as I know, there is the human race, which is the dominant lifeform on this planet.
Yes, yes, the term has been diluted and conflated to mean "people who look different than me", but, in my view, that is total BS, since there is only one human race.

An 'ethnic group' share many traits, such as language, customs, genetic heritage, geographical proximity, religion, and other commonalities.

To equate transgendered individuals as an ethnic group is not logical, since we only share one trait, to varying degrees. It would be akin to saying that all redheads are an ethnic group. Or all albinos. Or all Christians.

So, to answer the OP, No. And, No.

[Kelly DeWinter]

"Human Race" is misleading , there is the Human Species as a whole group on Earth , there are multiple Races as a classification

[Jodie_Lynn]

Oh really? In biological terms, "race" denotes creatures that are in a genus, with the ability to breed.
Ever see a lion mate with a bear?

ALL humans have the ability to breed, regardless of the incorrectly utilized term "race".

In the canine "race", a Great Dane can mate with a chihuahua and produce offspring. And no, I don't want to imagine who does what to whom in that scenario.

An African can successfully mate with a Caucasian; An Asian can successfully mate with an African; A Caucasian can successfully mate with an Aborigine.

Not to sound like a rabid SJW, but, the term "race" as used by most people, is in and of itself, a racist term.

[Tracii G]

It sure borders on being racist.
I don't know why some insist on classifying everything or making up things and classifications that don't exist.
My major was anthropology and biology in college so we discussed all this kind of stuff.
We could never agree on anything with the professor and when I would question him he would just get angry.

[Jodie_Lynn]

@Tracii G

I don't think it 'borders on', I think it IS racist.

I don't mean to derail the thread into a political venue, but look at how many groups & organizations use the ersatz term "race" to justify bigotry and hatred. Not only today, but throughout history.

[Tracii G]

Quite a few.

[docrobbysherry]

R these divisive posts here because we aren't allowed to discuss politics or religion?

[Jodie_Lynn]

Which ones would you call 'divisive' Doc?

[sometimes_miss]

No and no as TG is present in all races and ethnic groups.

^this.

there is the human race, which is the dominant life form on this planet.

Nah. Birds, insects, bacteria, molds (and a host of other microorganisms) have us beat. They've been here since before we were, and will be here when we're gone.

We may believe that we're advanced enough to survive the next extinction event, but even today we waste enormous amounts of energy, even our lives, in an effort to reproduce our own genetic line.

[mbmeen12]

No.....it is not

[BTWimRobin]

No, it is neither an ethnic group or a race. It is a community.

[LaurenS]

It’s a software bug (feature!).