Gender vs Sex

[nyrangers30]

(trigger warning)
So obviously when I am asked my gender I say male, but when asked sex I don't know how to answer (I was taking an anonymous survey for research and didn't know how to answer this question). I am extremely uncomfortable with saying female, even if that may be true of my sex. I have talked to trans guys who consider their sex as male after being on T for several years. If any of you are comfortable with discussing this, what do you think? When is it okay to consider someone's sex as male? Can someone's sex ever be male if they were assigned female at birth and have not had surgery? Sorry if my question is inappropriate or ignorant in any way, I just have never known how to approach this and I would appreciate some guidance.

[Jessica Merriman]

From the MtF spectrum I am female and legally recognized as such by the Federal Government even though I was assigned male at birth. Gender and sex are the same to me. If you are male you are male quite simply. Genitalia has no bearing on this.

[AbbyKat]

(trigger warning)
So obviously when I am asked my gender I say male, but when asked sex I don't know how to answer (I was taking an anonymous survey for research and didn't know how to answer this question). I am extremely uncomfortable with saying female, even if that may be true of my sex. I have talked to trans guys who consider their sex as male after being on T for several years. If any of you are comfortable with discussing this, what do you think? When is it okay to consider someone's sex as male? Can someone's sex ever be male if they were assigned female at birth and have not had surgery? Sorry if my question is inappropriate or ignorant in any way, I just have never known how to approach this and I would appreciate some guidance.

I have a feeling I'll be feeling a similar dilemma with gender vs sex, at least until it's legally changed one day.  I'm pretty sure I'll just say "female" unless it holds some sort of legal repercussions and, in that case, I'll mark "male".

I'm really hoping this issue of yours isn't a matter of not feeling like you are honest.  If you just want to be honest, then always mark "male".  Maybe only mark "female" if you are legally required to?

[nyrangers30]

From the MtF spectrum I am female and legally recognized as such by the Federal Government even though I was assigned male at birth. Gender and sex are the same to me. If you are male you are male quite simply. Genitalia has no bearing on this.

Thank you

[nyrangers30]

I have a feeling I'll be feeling a similar dilemma with gender vs sex, at least until it's legally changed one day.  I'm pretty sure I'll just say "female" unless it holds some sort of legal repercussions and, in that case, I'll mark "male".

I'm really hoping this issue of yours isn't a matter of not feeling like you are honest.  If you just want to be honest, then always mark "male".  Maybe only mark "female" if you are legally required to?

Yeah, you're right. That is what I do now but maybe I just get confused from being raised in a strict gender binary. I always think that if I select male sex then a person would assume I have a penis, which I don't. Which is silly because no one needs to be concerned with my genitals besides me, my doc, and my sexual partner. Possibly it is just bottom dysphoria getting to me.

[Brandon]

If you are legally required to mark female for sex not gender.

[wheat thins are delicious]

I can't really think of any situations other than a doctor's office where someone would ask your sex.  Anywhere other than that, say whatever you want.  I had a rude lady ask me what my sex was (she literally said sex) and I told her male, because it's no one's business what my birth history is. 

when is it ok to consider someone's sex as male?

If they say their sex is male. 

Can someone's sex ever be male if they were assigned female at birth and have not had surgery?

Surgery is not going to change the sex you were born, just the appearance of sex, but surgery isn't required for someone to consider themselves a male, nor is it required to consider another a male if they say they are a male.   

[nyrangers30]

I can't really think of any situations other than a doctor's office where someone would ask your sex.  Anywhere other than that, say whatever you want.  I had a rude lady ask me what my sex was (she literally said sex) and I told her male, because it's no one's business what my birth history is. 

If they say their sex is male. 

Surgery is not going to change the sex you were born, just the appearance of sex, but surgery isn't required for someone to consider themselves a male, nor is it required to consider another a male if they say they are a male.

Thanks for your help this was helpful and reassuring

[Tossu-sama]

I would my mark my sex as male if it's just a survey. I really wouldn't consider bringing up the sex where I was assigned to at birth unless it was somehow medically necessary for some reason (and I don't really know what kinda situation that would really be, prostate examination lol?). Then again, I don't think I would even need to tell about it myself because my trans diagnosis stands in my medical history (it's a different thing if all the medical professional even know what it means...).

Sorry if the post seems confusing or... something. It's not even 8am here and I'm trying to write messages like this, not a good idea.

[adrian]

I'd go for male unless maybe the survey is about something related to biological stuff (e.g. pregnancy). But even then... What I would assume is that most of the time the people who created the survey did not use "sex" to mean something different from "gender". They take the biologist stance and conflate the two.

That said, I just worked on a survey with my colleagues, and we phrased the awful gender question as follows: I identify my gender as: male/female/prefer not to disclose. It's still not good phrasing for non-binary folks, but it's a small step.

If there is room for comments in a survey, make sure to always let them know that they messed up there to create awareness. There's a lot of ignorance among researchers out there.

[Cindy]

Like Jessica I mark everything female even before my legal status was changed. In Australia we also have the option for third gender on most documents including passports. Third gender means 'mind your own business or don't identify as either'

[Noosance]

Honestly most surveys (incorrectly) conflate sex and gender anyway. Unless it's a medical document or something legal (if you haven't had your marker legally changed from F to M on documents yet), then put whatever you feel like. Don't let society's policing get to you. You're above it. We all are.

[pianoforte]

I'm with Adrian - if it's about something highly biological and birth-sex-related, mark birth sex... Otherwise, be you. It won't skew their information because it is the truth.