QC FYI: A Transgender Gene?

In a groundbreaking study, Australian scientists analyzed the DNA of 112 male-to-female transsexual volunteers and identified a link between a gene involved in testosterone. Quoted from the study: “[T]hey were more likely to have a longer version of the androgen receptor gene…. It is known that longer versions of the androgen receptor gene are associated with less efficient testosterone signalling.
“This reduced action of the male sex hormone may have an effect on gender development in the womb, the researchers speculated.
“We think that these genetic differences might reduce testosterone action and under masculinise the brain during foetal development,” said researcher Lauren Hare from Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research.
This raises a few interesting issues. First off, homosexuality and transgender identity were only removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in the 20th century. Even though some ignorant people still think that homosexuality is a biological perversion, mental illness, or a choice, others feel ambivalent about proving a genetic basis for sexual orientation. Those in support of finding a gay gene think it will validate the legitimacy homosexual as not being a choice. Meanwhile, others worry that identifying a gay gene will result in eugenics (with people wanting to identify homos based purely on DNA and treating them accordingly or even wiping them out).
Consider your own attitudes towards transgender people… How much do you think you have in common with them? What if it turns out that their being transgender is not so different from being gay? If we all have in common a genetic basis, how does our understanding of community change? As the human genome continues to be decoded, it seems we’re shifting our understanding of human behavior and self-perception from an environment and psychological basis to a one in genetic biology. Whether it pushes us closer together or further apart remains to be seen…
But also think of this… if we’re genetically inclined towards a certain body types, gender identifications, physical cravings, and other behaviors, how far down does that rabbit hole go? Apparently, the natural self sometimes manifests, no matter how a person is raised. But could genetics also explain how more minute idiosyncrasies that make up someone’s personality? Like how why some people clean to de-stress, why others love video games, why some people sleep on their sides, while others enjoy cheese crackers? How much of ourselves is linked to genetics? Maybe a lot more than we thought.
What do you think?

Erection ’08: Kids Say The Darndest Things!

Recently, the homphobic bigots at Yes On 8 featured the above commercial with the implicit argument “Think of the children!” Oh yes, gay marriage’s first goal is to confuse their young minds until they don’t know whether to marry someone of the same sex, a zoo animal, or a Black and Decker drill. Luckily, the parody of this commercial skewers it in it’s own asinine petard (see below).

It’s laughable how slippery the fearmonger’s own reasoning is. This commercial reasons correctly that the same logic could come back to bite them in the ass… and deservedly so, disenfranchising all those hardworking LGBT Americans who just want to live and love as everyone else—how shameful! Thank goodness, that today the Superintendent of California’s schools stepped up and called BS on this mean-spirited and misleading campaign (see below).

Gay marriage has nothing to do with indoctrinating children or changing education—it has everything to do with civil rights! If Proposition 8 passes in California, it’ll set the American gay rights movement back about 10 years. Passing gay marriage would guarantee more positive portrayal of LGBTs in the media, it would help community backlash against discrimination and violence fueled by sexual orientation, and it would help international LGBT rights worldwide.
Though Yes on 8 only has a slim lead for the time being, Election Day is only 12 nights away. We need your help right now! If you can, please donate to Equality California or No On 8—it’s easy, it’s simple, and it’ll make a world of difference. Even a modest donation could help swing undecided voters to cast a vote for marriage equality that would change the lives of gay couples around the world.
If you haven’t had enough outrage, go after the jump to see some brainwashed children singing in favor of eliminating the rights of gay to marry… someone call Child Protective Services!

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QCicons: October Is GLBT History Month

Yes, Cocktober is a great month for creating your own Halloween costume or butternut squash recipe, but it’s also GLBT History Month! and to celebrate, QCicons will be doing small profiles on gay figures throughout the month. To kick it off, we’ve posted a great short video released by the Equality Forum. They’ll be posting profiles on all the people featured in the video on their history month site, so be sure to regularly check it out. Alright, now go buy some sparkly fabric and fun-sized candy bars.
See the videos from 2007 and 2006, after the jump!

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