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Diversity Uber Alles
Diversity uber alles. This incident is a magnificent example of such thinking, and also an example of where such thinking leads.
Diversity is always the highest progressive value, and the T was doing the good progressive thing by having a “FTM” driver in its ranks. The value of diversity clearly trumped the value of public safety in this case. But don’t blame the T. They doubtless had “good intentions”.
The driver, though young, was wise enough to use his self-proclaimed transgender status as a ploy to get hired, no doubt knowing that this tactic was more likely to succeed than anything else. After all, what could be more mortifying than a huge public agency discriminating against the transgendered? Nothing in the progressive universe!
Perhaps the Globe might interview the other 48 people injured through this public sector bureaucratic negligence and legally mandated stupidity. They might ask them if they feel any different about affirmative action now that they themselves have been injured because of it.
Fat chance.`
You're assuming that this
You're assuming that this person got the the job only because of some diversity initiative?
well she certainly didn't get the job
because of her exemplary common sense...
the drivers name is aiden. he not only self-identifies
as male, but his legal drivers license reflects this as he has had sex-reassignment surgery. the correct pronoun to use would be masculine.
hate on him if you want for being a dipshit and texting while driving. but at least try to do it while referring to him as "he".
I will never understand it
I can have a tail surgically attached, take drugs to grow hair, change my name to rover...does that make me a dog?
Does this person have male or female DNA? After all gender is "assigned" when you are born in your genes. It is not reassignable.
Sex v gender
Sorry, but gender identity is a social issue, biological sex is genetic. As such, a person who self-identifies as a specific gender and takes steps to bring their appearance and often even outward biology to that of the gender they most identify with is of that chosen gender.
So, in this case, Aiden is a "he" and you should respect as much if you're at all civil.
me, civil?
lol
All I can say to that is ...
It ain't that simple. It really isn't that simple.
WARNING: MIND BENDING INFORMATION.
Google is your friend - genes aren't the whole shebang - there is gene expression to contend with. As above, there are documented cases - rare, but documented - of a woman with an XY genotype and sufficient other mutations to suppress male development to not only look female but bear children! There are phenotypically female genetically male women (yes - women) who are insensitive to their own testosterone - the hormonal message goes out to "be a guy" and the woman's cells say "can't hear you" and she develops as a female. Such women with XY and the known mutations are considered to be female by the International Olympic Committee. A female athlete from Russia was banned from competition because she had a Y chromosome. She gave birth while awaiting reinstatement.
On the flip side, the few female-to-male transgendered men that I have known personally were clearly in the 3% of genetically female persons who are sensitive to their own testosterone - they grew beards and chest hair (something even male steroids won't do for a woman without those receptors), had adams apples and deep voices, were shaped more like men than women, and went to college on elite sports scholarships for field hockey and discus throwing, had health issues from polycystic ovarian syndrome, etc. Not all such women will become FTM transexuals, but there are enough that I wouldn't say their gender ambiguity was an entirely psychological situation.
Many many more of these sorts of crazy situations exist. Like I said, google it and prepare for much strangeness. Remember - genes are a blueprint, they are not the finished building.
ok, well it usually is that simple
except for your extreme examples, most transgendered folks are physiologically their "assigned" gender and choose to "reassign" to another.
Prior to even knowing this information I thought "wow he doesn't look like a 24-year old man, is that a girl?" Sure enough he was a girl. Heck, apparently you can surgically attach a "penis" to a woman, but she still will be a bad driver...
contrary to popular opinion...
recent studies have actually shown that men are more dangerous drivers than women. men are more likely to be cited for reckless driving, more likely to drive under the influence, more likely to speed, more likely to blow through a stop sign, and less likely to wear their seatbelts.
this is just one study, but other bear out the same info.
you wouldnt know
a tongue-in-cheek comment if I hit you over the head with it like 2x4, huh?
Unclear to me
When did the tongue-in-cheek start in this thread?
Not only is the biology confusing but so is the legal
Stumbled across a NYT editorial from Monday that discusses the tricky legal aspects for transgendered people as well.
Granted, this isn't as funny as the countless driving stereotypes that people coming up the legal side is also complex.