Free Republic

Three years ago, the Washington state association that regulates fair play in high school athletics faced an unusual query from administrators: what should they do about four boys who wanted to participate on girls' teams. One had his eye on volleyball, two wanted to be cheerleaders and a fourth did not specify his area of interest. After consultation, it developed a novel policy that says all students should be able to participate in sports "in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on a student's records." Upon a student's request, the idea is...

A really inconvenient truth. In 2002, thanks to soccer star David Beckham, the world was introduced to the “metrosexual.” Two years later, and with less mainstream-media attention, we got our first exposure to “Intersex.” Intersex is not some new perversion or a weird combination of science fiction and pornography. It is an unfortunate condition that is affecting freshwater fish all over the developed world. It occurs when fish of one sex also exhibit sexual characteristics of the other sex. In 2004, for example, researchers on the Potomac River, downstream from Washington, D.C., found large-mouth bass that in most respects were...

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - Scientists studying intersex fish in the Potomac River basin have found the abnormality for the first time in redbreast sunfish, the third species affected by the mysterious phenomenon, a federal fish pathologist said Tuesday. Intersex fish possess both male and female characteristics. For example, some male fish have been found with immature eggs in their testes. The phenomenon was previously documented in smallmouth and largemouth bass in the Potomac River and some of its tributaries in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Vicki Blazer of the U.S. Geological Survey said she verified the abnormality in sunfish last...

As much of the Muslim world rioted over the disrespect to the Prophet Muhammad by some Danish cartoonists, the gay Muslim group Al-Fatiha entered the fray with postings to its e-mail news list. One such posting featured blogger Tony Murphy, who stated, "The U.S. media and European editors have the same goal: To equate resistance with fanaticism." Yes, resistance. In the view of Mr. Murphy, the rioting, arson, and murder being done in the name of the Prophet are acts of liberation. Let me provide some background. Founded in the United States in 1998, Al-Fatiha is a non-profit foundation which,...

Doctors urged not to operate on infants with unclear gender It’s the first question new parents hear: girl or boy? But hundreds of babies are born each year where the gender isn’t clear. Prompt surgery to assign one was once the norm. But gender depends on more than anatomy or hormones. It also seems to stem from the very earliest brain development, researchers said Friday in urging doctors to hold off on the knife until children can determine their own sex. “To discover who or what a child is ... you have to ask them,” Dr. William Reiner of the...

It's the first question new parents hear: girl or boy? But hundreds of babies are born each year where the gender isn't clear. Prompt surgery to assign one was once the norm. But gender depends on more than anatomy or hormones. It also seems to stem from the very earliest brain development, researchers said Friday in urging doctors to hold off on the knife until children can determine their own sex. "To discover who or what a child is ... you have to ask them," Dr. William Reiner of the Oklahoma University Health Science Center told a meeting of the...

A Perth person with no fixed gender says new legislation which would ban all but traditional marriages is unlawful and undemocratic. Prime Minister John Howard says the Government will only recognise marriages between a man and woman. Alexander MacFarlane has both male and female physiology and says the legislation will prevent all intersex people from marrying. Dr MacFarlane has vowed to take the matter to the High Court. "According to the Australian democracy, every citizen has equal right for employment, for education and for respect," Dr MacFarlane said. "John Howard's comments don't reflect that." Mr Howard said yesterday the Government...