“How many years has it taken people to realize that we are all brothers and sisters and human beings in the human race?”
—Marsha P. Johnson
The existence of gender identities beyond the binary male and female has long been a source of legal and societal tension in the United States. Discriminatory laws once criminalized people who presented themselves in ways misaligned with their assigned sex at birth, fostering a culture of exclusion that persisted even after the laws were repealed (Lampe, 2020). This historical stigma casts a shadow today, impacting individuals whose lives don’t conform to traditional cisgender narratives.
Regardless of your vote in 2024, anti-trans legislation is at an all-time high (662 Federal bills and 4 Louisiana Bills). Gender-diverse populations are used as distractions in politics instead of focusing on issues such as economic dysfunction and housing crisis solutions. Our goal as a community is to continue educating and ensuring thoughtful, evidence-based research that can be used as a strong foundation of understanding.
“Simple biology” or “biological gender” are phrases used to shame the individual that who they are or how they express themselves is unnatural. Simple biology shows that time and again, those (even before taking hormone therapy) have anatomical and physiological brain function and mapping of the gender they identify with to their cisgender counterpart.
When rigorously applied, science, provides an objective foundation for expanding our understanding of human identity. In recent years, studies in neuroscience have identified biological underpinnings that differentiate cisgender individuals from those who identify outside the binary. This research attempts to dispel prejudice by illuminating the tangible neurobiological distinctions of gender-diverse individuals. Through a series of surveys, neuroimaging, and peer-reviewed analyses, this study engages with the scientific community to recognize those who may mark “Other” on a demographic survey: non-binary, genderqueer, agender, gender-fluid, and transgender individuals.
Using brain scans and personal narratives from participants in this research was my effort to use already-used brain imaging that was quantitative (measurable) and give life to our community’s experience and understanding through survey and narrative responses. Those who are trans, do not think of themselves as trans, rather they are trying to feel themselves and live a normal life that happens to be different from the label doctors and society place at birth.
Gender Beyond Binary: Insights from Neurology
Gender identity reflects a spectrum, influenced by complex interactions between brain structure and gender expression. Brain imaging studies reveal distinctions in individuals who identify as transgender, showing formations more aligned with their gender identity than their birth-assigned sex, even before gender-affirming treatments (Manzouri, 2018).
Research by Uribe et al. (2021) suggests that even without hormone therapy, individuals who identify as transgender exhibit brain functions and cognitive patterns consistent with their identified gender. For example, trans men exhibit neural connectivity more akin to cisgender men, while trans women align with cisgender women. These neurological insights substantiate the lived experiences of gender-diverse people and challenge society to recognize these findings as evidence of a natural, albeit diverse, human experience.
Differences in emotion centers, for instance, are documented in gyri and cortical mass among non-binary and gender-diverse individuals, indicating that these identities aren’t merely choices but biologically rooted aspects of human diversity. For cis-gender women, the Limbic center of the brain is often more active on imaging and reflects the capacity for emotional understanding and experience. Those who are transgender/gender-diverse on the feminine or trans-women identity are similar if not identical to the cis-gender baseline scans.
Societal Disorientation
The Western perception of gender as binary is a historical construct, not a universal truth, a continuation of whitewashing and erasing communities and populations. Indigenous cultures, like the two-spirited people of Native American societies or hijras of India, have long recognized genders beyond male and female. In cultures where such identities are acknowledged, they are revered and play integral roles in the social fabric. The erasure of these identities in the West highlights systemic oversight and presents how ubiquitous gender constructs exist in everyday life forcing people to accept labels to avoid feeling socially disoriented.
Modern society presents significant hurdles for individuals identifying as transgender or non-binary, especially in public spaces where they often face stigma. A study by Lampe et al. (2020) underscores the impact of discrimination on transgender and non-binary adults, with many reporting daily burdens linked to societal expectations. Despite this, neurological evidence validates that living authentically as one’s identified gender is integral to cognitive health and alignment, pointing toward the necessity of public acceptance and structural support for these individuals.
The Humanization of Science
Feinstein et al. (2022) provide a psychological perspective on the lived experience of LGBTQ+ individuals, revealing how burdens like isolation and discrimination correlate with negative mental health outcomes. This empathy-based approach to science emphasizes the importance of identity validation, as gender constructs profoundly impact well-being. The findings across disciplines converge on a singular truth: understanding gender as fluid is essential for advancing human rights and fostering societal empathy.
Conducted from this meta-analysis of neurophysiological exams provided insight into our gender-diverse individuals answering survey and narrative responses. Regardless of their journey and life course the answers of those who are trans-men answered questions on scorecards and narratives closely to cis-gender men comparison. The same is observed with trans-women and cis-gender women, leaving non-binary, fluid, etc. in the middle of the spectrum. A theme from the “What is gender?” question, responses were similar across the board:
“My gender is how I experience the world, and a deep personal feeling. It isn’t to be politicized, or debated because it doesn’t matter. No trans person is going into bathrooms for a motive other than to use the bathroom, and no one who is competing in sports wants a leg-up. Bodies are all different, and gender is an idea we created because it helps create hierarchy, and that isn’t why I am trans. I am transgender because I was labeled male at birth, and that was never the right assignment.” — Anonymous
Conclusion
In summation, this research explores the intersection of gender identity, neurology, and social structures, presenting evidence that supports the biological basis of diverse gender identities. The implications are clear—biological diversity in gender is both natural and measurable. As society advances, recognizing this diversity is essential for inclusivity and humanizing scientific progress.
This article is dedicated to Marsha P. Johnson, a pivotal figure in LGBTQ+ history whose work serves as a testament to the ongoing struggle for acceptance and equality. By embracing science and compassion, society can continue to honor Johnson’s legacy, fostering a world where all identities are not only recognized but respected.
Jake Tadevich, Redux 2025
Reference
Cartwright, T., & Nancarrow, C. (2022). *A Question of Gender: Gender classification in international research*. International Journal of Market Research, 64(5), 575–593.
Feinstein, B. A., et al. (2022). *Measurement invariance of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ-15) across sexual orientation, gender identity, and race/ethnicity in a sample of sexual minority young adults*. Psychological Assessment, 34(10), 978–984.
Gravetter, F. J., & Forzano, L. B. (2018). *Research methods for the behavioral sciences* (4th ed.). Cengage.
Lampe, T. M., et al. (2020). *Navigating stigma in neighborhoods and public spaces among transgender and nonbinary adults in New York City*. Stigma and Health, 5(4), 477–487.
Manzouri, A., & Savic, I. (2018). *Possible Neurobiological Underpinnings of Homosexuality and Gender Dysphoria*. Cerebral Cortex, 29(5), 2084–2101.
Uribe, C., et al. (2021). *Brain connectivity dynamics in cisgender and transmen people with gender incongruence before gender affirmative hormone treatment*. Scientific Reports, 11(1).
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