Response to “Faculty and Staff Statement of Solidarity”
I write in response to the “Faculty and Staff Statement of Solidarity” published in The University News last week. Putting aside the topic of Matt Walsh’s communications, the Statement sends a questionable message.
Calling it “dangerous” to associate childbirth with womanhood, the Statement seems to embrace gender ideology–assuming a person’s core identity is determined not so much by the person’s biological sex (the way the body is designed with respect to reproductive capacities) but rather (or much more significantly) by a person’s subjective experience of being feminine, masculine, or other. This idea lacks evidence and is counter to the intuition of many (an intuition reflected in our language for centuries) that we ought to value our bodies in their God-given femininity or masculinity (Cf. Pope Francis, Encyclical letter Laudato Si’, 2015, no. 155. See also the document of teaching resources published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.)
Moreover, the Statement makes me wonder whether its signatories would be happy to host even mild-mannered critics of gender ideology. Do they care to welcome people who adhere to the age-old meaning of words like woman and man? And how concerned are they about extending inclusivity and sensitivity toward students who may be uncomfortable aligning their speech with a controversial ideology?
I am with the signatories in affirming the importance of SLU being a safe, inclusive, welcoming environment—a community in which we uphold the dignity of every person and exercise due sensitivity to individuals in light of their varied experiences and convictions. But that standard only has value if it applies equally to all.
Jill Burkemper, PhD
Assistant Professor
Albert Gnaegi Center for Health Care Ethics
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A Durham • Dec 8, 2021 at 1:23 pm
Thank you Dr. Burkemper for sharing a voice that is being silenced on campus.
ISAAC EVANS • Dec 7, 2021 at 11:09 pm
Kind of insane that you cite not genuine research in the field of biology, psychology, neuroscience, etc etc in order to back up your claim that sex and self-perceived gender identity aren’t separate phenomena, BUT THE POPE? Be serious. The absolute vast consensus of genuine experts in the field of gender dysphoria disagrees with you entirely. Besides that we can look at historical context for your answer: the characteristics society delineates as female have evolved so incredibly drastically in merely 100 years. One lifetime’s length of time tells you that gender identity is fluid, and we find that it occurs in nature and has nothing to do with reproductive capacity, yet you continue to grasp at straws to justify your antiquated biases.
Jill Burkemper • Dec 11, 2021 at 11:33 am
I do not claim, “sex and self-perceived gender identity aren’t separate phenomena.” I affirm that biological sex is one thing; gender experience is quite another (and can be fluid). Controversy exists regarding whether a person’s biological sex significantly informs the person’s objective identity. Since personal selfhood is a philosophical datum, the empirical sciences (psychology, neuroscience, etc.) cannot answer this question. In terms of empirical research on the subjective experience of gender dysphoria or gender incongruence, you may wish to consider information provided by the Society for Evidence Based Gender Medicine (https://segm.org/).