Dear Editor,
Responding to RyanLipska President Trump’s executive order declaring that there are only two sexes reflects a particular religious interpretation, but public policy should be grounded in evidence.
Biology doesn’t support the claim that there are only two clear, immutable sexes. While most people are born with XX or XY chromosomes, natural variations do exist. Intersex individuals, for example, can have chromosomal patterns such as XXY or XO, as well as differences in hormone sensitivity, or anatomical traits that do not fit typical definitions of male or female.
Some individuals are born with both ovarian and testicular tissue, while others may have external genitalia that appear typically like one sex, while having internal reproductive organs (like a uterus or testes) of the other sex These realities demonstrate that biological sex is more complex than a simple either/or classification.
Equally important, gender identity is not reducible to chromosomes alone. Major medical organizations recognize that a person’s sense of self may not align with their sex assigned at birth, and that gender-affirming care significantly improves mental health.
Claims about elevated suicide rates among transgender people are often misrepresented. Credible research consistently shows the opposite, that access to gender-affirming care is associated with lower rates of depression and suicidality.
Religious belief is meaningful to many, but it cannot be the sole basis for laws governing society. The United States protects both freedom of religion and freedom from having any one doctrine imposed on others.
At its core, this issue is not about rejecting faith. It is about recognizing human complexity and ensuring that public policy respects the dignity and lived reality of all people.
Terry Hansen Grafton, WI