Beyond Birds and Bees, a Deep Dive: guest post by Matt Osborne

Gender ideology employs false claims of intersex conditions to support the transgender movement. It is a political tool.

Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you
Exodus 20:12

Foreword (Frederick R. Smith)

As a follow-up to my two-part post Beyond Birds and Bees, Matt Osborne offered to write an essay about “intersex.” Many thanks go to Matt for his insight into this important and overlooked element of the gender discussion. I highly recommend readers also check out Matt’s insightful Substack.

Differences in Sexual Development (Matt Osborne)

Gender ideology employs false claims of intersex conditions to support the transgender movement. It is a political tool. This narrative not only undermines the rights of others but also poses a disservice. The victims are individuals with genuine disorders or differences in sexual development (DSDs). Many of these conditions can be life-threatening if left undiagnosed or untreated. All have implications for reproductive health. People with DSD object to how some individuals treat their experiences as mere “tourism.”

It is important to note that all DSDs associate with biological sex (male or female). As demonstrated below, DSD is a genetic condition and is not a separate, third, or “other” sex/gender.

Klinefelter Syndrome, Male

Klinefelter Syndrome occurs in males and is also known as 47,XXY syndrome, a genetic condition affecting males.¹ It results from an extra X chromosome in each cell, leading to a chromosomal configuration of XXY instead of the usual XY. It is one of the most common chromosomal disorders in males, occurring in approximately 1 out of every 500 to 1,000 live male births. Typically, males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), determining their biological sex. However, individuals with Klinefelter Syndrome have an additional X chromosome, which can cause various developmental and hormonal differences. Some of the common signs and symptoms of Klinefelter Syndrome include:

• Small testes: Males with Klinefelter Syndrome often have smaller than average testes, which may affect testosterone production, the male sex hormone.

• Infertility: The condition can lead to reduced fertility or infertility due to the abnormal development of the testes and a decrease in testosterone levels.

• Gynecomastia: Many individuals with Klinefelter Syndrome develop gynecomastia, which is the enlargement of breast tissue.

• Tall stature: Klinefelter Syndrome is associated with an increased height compared to typical males. This is more noticeable during adolescence.

• Learning and language difficulties: Boys with Klinefelter Syndrome may experience delays in language development, learning disabilities, and challenges with reading and writing.

• Behavioral and social challenges: Some individuals with Klinefelter Syndrome may have problems with social interactions and emotional regulation and may be more prone to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Certain individuals may also exhibit variations in their reproductive organs. These can include undescended testes, where the testicles fail to descend into the scrotum (a condition known as cryptorchidism), an opening of the urethra on the underside of the penis instead of the tip (hypospadias), or an underdeveloped penis.

Although Klinefelter Syndrome is a lifelong condition, early intervention and appropriate medical care can help manage its symptoms and improve the quality of life. Testosterone replacement therapy may be prescribed to address hormone imbalances and alleviate some of the associated symptoms. Educational support and counseling are also beneficial for managing learning difficulties and addressing any psychological or social challenges that may arise.

Turner Syndrome, Female

Turner Syndrome, also known as Monosomy X, is a genetic disorder that affects females.² It occurs when one of the two X chromosomes is entirely or partially missing, resulting in a chromosomal configuration of 45,X instead of the usual 46,XX. Some key characteristics and features of Turner Syndrome include:

• Short stature: Girls typically have shorter stature than their peers. Adult women with Turner Syndrome have an average height of about 4 feet 8 inches (142 cm).

• Gonadal dysgenesis: Turner Syndrome is characterized by underdeveloped or malfunctioning ovaries, leading to infertility and the absence of puberty without appropriate hormonal treatment.

• Webbed neck: Individuals with Turner Syndrome often have a webbed appearance of the neck, caused by excess folds of skin and a low hairline at the back of the neck.

• Lymphedema: Swelling of the hands and feet, called lymphedema, can occur in some girls with Turner Syndrome, particularly in infancy.

• Cardiac abnormalities: There is an increased risk of congenital heart defects in individuals with Turner Syndrome, including coarctation of the aorta, bicuspid aortic valve, and other structural abnormalities.

• Kidney problems: Certain kidney abnormalities, such as horseshoe kidney or renal malformations, can be associated with Turner Syndrome.

• Hearing and vision problems: Hearing loss and vision issues, such as nearsightedness (myopia) or crossed eyes (strabismus), may occur more frequently in individuals with Turner Syndrome.

• Learning difficulties: Some girls with Turner Syndrome may experience learning disabilities, particularly in math and spatial concepts. However, intelligence levels vary widely; many individuals with Turner Syndrome have normal intelligence.

Treatment for Turner Syndrome often involves hormone replacement therapy, including estrogen replacement therapy during adolescence, to induce puberty and promote secondary sexual characteristics. Growth hormone therapy may be used to improve height in childhood. Other interventions may be required to address specific health concerns, such as cardiac or kidney abnormalities.

Early diagnosis, comprehensive medical care, and regular monitoring can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for individuals with Turner Syndrome. Supportive educational resources, counseling, and specialized healthcare providers are often involved in managing this condition.

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A friend of mine, someone with DSD who was deeply harmed by gender ideology, made this graphic showing how such conditions are all sex-based:

Conclusion: DSD is no separate, third, or “other” sex/gender. Furthermore, also based on the preceding, it is likely the vast majority of individuals who claim to be “intersex” within the transgender movement do not have DSD. They are products of the prevailing false narratives of our time.

Cases of ambiguous genitalia, which represent a small subset of these conditions, occur in approximately one out of 5,500 births. Contrary to what some may suggest, the prevalence of ambiguous genitalia is not as common as portrayed. Any references supporting this claim will likely cite Anne Fausto-Sterling. Her controversial paper, The Five Sexes, and derivative works are pseudoscience. Interestingly, no one uses her “five sexes” model when citing her paper.

If you can speak with an experienced obstetrician or maternity nurse, they will probably confirm the facts. Cases of ambiguous genitalia are sporadic, and they probably have not encountered such issues throughout their career.

Sources

• Mayo Clinic: Klinefelter Syndrome ~ Turner Syndrome

• Medline Plus: Klinefelter syndrome ~ Turner Syndrome

• Encyclopedia Britannica: Klinefelter Syndrome ~ Turner Syndrome

• NHS England: Differences in sex development

• National Libray of Medicine: How common is intersex? a response to Anne Fausto-Sterling

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1. “Klinefelter Syndrome” is derived from the physicians describing the condition. In 1942, an American endocrinologist named Harry Fitch Klinefelter and his colleagues at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Drs. Fuller Albright and E.E. Reifenstein identified male patients with specific symptoms and characteristics. They published a landmark paper titled “Syndrome characterized by gynecomastia, aspermatogenesis without a-Leydigism, and increased excretion of follicle-stimulating hormone” in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology, describing nine cases of what is now known as Klinefelter Syndrome.

The term “Klinefelter Syndrome” was coined to honor Dr. Harry Fitch Klinefelter for his significant contribution to the understanding and identification of this genetic condition. Since then, the term has been widely used to describe the syndrome characterized by an extra X chromosome in males, leading to a range of physical, hormonal, and developmental differences.

The syndrome was first identified with a specific chromosomal abnormality in 1959 by British researcher Patricia A. Jacobs and her colleagues.

2. “Turner Syndrome” is named after Dr. Henry H. Turner, an endocrinologist and geneticist who first described the condition in 1938. Dr. Turner was an American physician who worked at the University of Oklahoma. He published a comprehensive study titled “A Syndrome of Infantilism, Congenital Webbed Neck, and Cubitus Valgus” in the journal Endocrinology, where he detailed the distinct set of characteristics observed in a group of young girls.

Dr. Turner’s study focused on these girls’ physical features and growth abnormalities, particularly noting the presence of a webbed neck, short stature, and other associated components. His research contributed significantly to understanding this genetic disorder, later named Turner Syndrome in his honor.

Since Dr. Turner’s original publication, extensive research has been conducted on Turner Syndrome, further elucidating its clinical features, genetic basis, and management strategies. The term “Turner Syndrome” remains widely used to refer to this specific chromosomal disorder affecting females.