Using the words “biological,” “bio,” “genetic,” “real,” or “natural” in front of “man” and “woman” can be transphobic, intersexphobic, ableist, racist, and can even show a propensity toward eugenics. You don’t want that.
Humans, regardless of gender, are biological, have genetics, are real,
and also natural.
Let’s break it down.
BIO/BIOLOGICAL
All humans are biological. We all have biology.
If not, you must then consider people with synthetic limbs not biological. If someone has a life-saving synthetic organ or graft, do you consider them not biological humans? What about pacemakers, contact lenses, or cochlear implants?
Such use of the terms “bio” and “biological” excludes so many people.
GENETIC
We are all genetic. We all have genetics. Do you mean chromosomes? Did you get yours tested? You have to get tested for this specifically, which most do not. So most of you have lived your lives gliding by without really knowing your actual chromosomal makeup. And, why do you even need to know everyone else’s?
Not all women are XX.
Not all men are XY.
Chromosomal patterns manifest in a wide range, including XXY, XYY, XXX, and many more.
In addition, dismissing the spectrum is the erasure of our intersex, gender diverse, neurodiverse, and disabled families.
REAL
We are all real, unless you are imaginary, a dream, or an AI avatar.
And even then, who are we to say that our dreams, imagination, and creativity, relationship with AI are not very real?
As we head into more artificially intelligent tech, perhaps save your use of “real” for that world instead.
NATURAL
You know who has historically been called “unnatural?” Queer people. People of the Global Majority, in particular Black and Indigenous folks, and disabled folks have all been called “unnatural” by those trying to eliminate us. It has been used in eugenics to justify genocide, racism, queerphobia, transphobia, ableism, and more.
Or perhaps you mean “natural” as in whatever you were born with. If so, that means no makeup, no hair products, cut, or treated hair. No painted, trimmed or shaped nails. No tattoos or piercings. No synthetic medication or surgeries. Not even clothes. Because all of that, we were not born with.
Indeed, all humans are bio, biological, genetic, real, and natural, or none of us are.
Our language and understanding of all of these terms will change and evolve, as our experience on this plane is subjective and a spectrum. As we think about the expansiveness of our identities, we must also remember to leave room for the expansiveness of our collective liberation.
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