By endorsing Facebooks new gender options has GLAAD harmed some of those it claims to support and shown poor ethics?

[kindday977]

GLAAD claims to support "Transgender rights" yet it endorsed the use of medicalized language in Facebook's third gender category. I believe using any combination of Transgender, Transsexual, or intersex within that category is harmful to any individual that fits a recognized medically recognized definition of the words and that has a binary gender identity. For reference I'll post the link to news of a recent court decision about recognizing a legal third sex option. http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/news/nation...13457.html

[esmerelda]

Do you know something? This is one of those issues that, no matter how anyone jumps, somebody is not going to approve. "Medicalized language" is one way of trying to avoid words that are likely to give offense, and bingo! here you are taking offense at "medicalized language."

Is "non-specific" what you'd prefer? But that is not necessarily acceptable to a transman or transwoman.

The language of non-cisgender, non-heterosexual identity and orientation is likely to be a can of worms for the next decade or so.

If you have specific objections to GLAAD's decision or Facebook's, I suggest you contact them and express your opinions on the subject. But since I am not "nonspecific" or trans, I don't feel it would be appropriate for me to stick my oar in this.

No, I don't think GLAAD has harmed anyone. It's clear they've ticked you off but I don't see how this is causing actual harm to anyone.

[hissingface669]

I think you're making a stink over nothing. The key word here is "options". People now have a wide range of OPTIONS from which to pick. They even have the option not to pick any and keep just "male" or "female". You may consider some of the labels "medicalized", but some people do in fact identify with these labels you despise. I get where you're coming from as I simply identify as female. I consider transsexualism a medical condition, not an identity. But others feel differently and they must have that option available to them. That's what these options are about, giving individuals the freedom to self-identify. If you don't like them... don't use them. It's really that simple.
.

[Jessie]

If you don't like Facebook's options, then for bog's sake don't use them. Nothing I've read says that they're forcing you to use any of them.

[Lily R]

All facebook were doing is introducing options to suit everyone. I mean I agree, transsexualism is a medical condition and I will never use trans woman unless the context of the situation demands it, I identify as female but my male and female categories have been left untouched and those who like to identify themselves proudly as trans women or men have that option to and any other gender option under the sun. Provided my male and female categories aren't touched though, I'm not gonna complain. It was actually a trans woman who came up with this idea so... I assume she likes to identify as a trans woman.