A Brief Introduction to Gender Dysphoria 

(my english is not perfect so if you don’t understande something just ask me to clear it out)

Nina, you are asking a good question. Sorry, in advance for the long, response. It is actually more complicated than you make it out to be. The first important distinction is between the term "sex" and "gender." Biological sex refers to both the genotype and phenotype of genitalia. If we look at the genes that govern sex characteristics, there are more than two outcomes. A person can present with One X, XX, XXX, XY, XYY, etc. For a long time, we have overly simplified genetics as merely XX and XY. In fact, the current state of genetics research suggests that in addition to the X and Y chromosomes, there are at least 12 other permutations and at least 30 genes are involved in sex development. Now, if we look at the outcomes related external sex characteristics (phenotype), one can have the following ambiguous sex characteristics, a penis, a vagina, or even both. Once again, there are more than two possible outcomes. So, even before we discuss the idea of gender, we can see the premise of only two sexes is incomplete, at best. Now, gender is far more socially constructed. It includes our body, gender identity, and social gender (how we present our gender in the world and how individuals, society, culture, and community perceive, interact with, and try to shape our gender). These three distinct, but interrelated, components that comprise a person’s experience of gender. A person’s comfort in their gender is related to the degree to which these three dimensions feel in congruence. Gender Dysphoria occurs when there is tension between how someone feels about their body compared to how society genders their body, or a conflict between how someone sees themselves in contrast with expected gender roles or expectations. So, how does this all fit into the concept of gender pronouns? Gender pronouns are a way for individuals to identify themselves outside of using their names. Pronouns are important not only because they are used for everyday communication. This is especially true for those whose gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth (e.g., transgender individuals) or whose gender identity or expression does not fall within binary constructs of gender (e.g., genderqueer or gender nonbinary individuals). In some cases, these individuals may use gender-neutral or gender-inclusive pronouns, such as “they,” “them,” and many others. Once, a person moves beyond a binary, perspective, it becomes quite possible for a person who has gender dysphoria to identify as "they/them." For example, let's say a person has XY chromosomes, but they present with external sex organ of a vagina. And suppose this individual feels like their sex organs don't match another aspect of their gender. Would it not be appropriate for this person to use the pronoun "they/them?" Rather than debating ideology, in my response, I tried to stay very close to the biological science that substantiates the potential for "they/them." I have never heard anyone provide a meaningful retort to the fact that one's genes and genitalia expression are not binary. There is more to the discussion, such as personal (internal) gender and external gender, but I was not certain you might agree to these concepts. So, I stayed clear from that line of logic. Know that there are many other ways that one can identify as "He/They," or "She/They." I hope that you found this useful.