Study focuses on gender identity and scientific evidence

It started over a bathroom but will end in a courtroom.

On Aug. 21, a federal judge in Fort Worth blocked the Obama administration from enforcing its directive to U.S. public schools that transgender students must be allowed to use the bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their chosen gender identity.

Texas and 12 other states challenged the directive as unconstitutional back in May when it was issued. Many suggest this will set up a showdown in the Supreme Court.

Although it did not have the force of law, the directive did contain an implicit threat, according to The New York Times, “that the administration might sue noncompliant school districts and seek to cut off vital federal education aid.”

Responding to the decision, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a prepared statement: “This president is attempting to rewrite the laws enacted by the elected representatives of the people, and is threatening to take away federal funding from schools to force them to conform. That cannot be allowed to continue, which is why we took action to protect states and school districts…”

This ruling comes on the heels of a report published in The New Atlantis. It challenges the popular narratives that inundate culture surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity.

The 143-page report, “Sexuality and Gender: Findings from the Biological, Psychological, and Social Sciences,” reviews more than 200 peer-reviewed studies in the biological, psychological and social sciences.

The authors are Lawrence Mayer and Paul McHugh of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Commenting on the article and its major premise, the editor of the journal notes that “some of the most frequently heard claims about sexuality and gender are not supported by scientific evidence.”

Such as the idea that gender identity is a fixed, human property independent of biological sex. This is often heard in such phrases as “a man trapped in a woman’s body” or vice versa.

The authors find this is not supported by scientific evidence but has been bolstered by popular opinion. Gender identity is dependently shaped by biological, environmental and experiential factors.

Thus, the role of a village is highly significant in the shaping of a child.

Another idea that has been popularized but found unsubstantiated is that children with gender identity issues should be encouraged to transition.

The authors find that this might result in prolonged difficulties.

“There is little scientific evidence for the therapeutic value of interventions that delay puberty or modify the secondary sex characteristics of adolescents,” they note.

As the authors highlight, transgender people have higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicide than the general population.

President Obama issued his directive because, as a dad, he was concerned for transgender children.

“What happened and what continues to happen is you have transgender kids in schools. And they get bullied. And they get ostracized. And it’s tough for them,” he said. “We should deal with this issue the same way we would want it dealt with if it was our child and that is to try to create an environment of some dignity and kindness for these kids.”

President Obama wants what is best for kids, as do Mayer and McHugh. However, they disagree over what is best.

In our American free society, which is governed by structures and laws, citizens have the chance to present their ideas in the public square for consideration.

But when we cease to reason and attempt to strongarm, we fail to respect and abide by the very laws that uphold and keep the peace within our country.

When we fail to honor the laws, conditions are created that make us ripe for a strongman to lead above the law.

Or one might say, a bully.

And in an unfortunate twist, instead of stopping the bullies, we foster an environment that creates them.

This story was originally published August 26, 2016 at 5:40 PM with the headline "Study focuses on gender identity and scientific evidence."