“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” —Genesis 1:27

“The difference between a house and a home is like the difference between a man and a woman — it might be embarrassing to explain, but it would be very unusual to get them confused.” —Lemony Snicket, Horseradish

Sex is the word describing a biological and genetic truth about earthly creatures in general and people in particular. There are just two sexes. However, this ancient truth about sex has been deemed by some to be an insufficient definition of people and/or too constraining.

The debate between sex and gender is one that has been fought over since infamous sexologist John Money coined the term gender in 1955. Money was the controversial figure who declared that “gender” was a needed term for people to break free from the male/female binary. He specifically worked with people who were intersex (a medical condition wherein an individual may have reproductive parts inconsistent with their sex). He is most infamous for his work with the Reimer twins. The results of Money’s experiments with them actually prove that gender identity is a dangerous lie; they cost both brothers their peace and eventually contributed to the suicide of the twin he had attempted to “transition” to a girl.

Money’s work was disseminated through the universities and the idea festered and became even more convoluted. Today’s variant of gender ideology is tinged with radical Marxism. In other words, those who believe that there are a myriad of genders now have the added tool in their belt of claiming victimhood against societal oppressors. It is an effective tool in our society right now because one political power has decided to use the oppressor/oppressed idea and wield it as a political bludgeon.

In an interesting article in City Journal, evolutionary biologist Colin Wright explores the different studies that have attempted to debunk the sexual binary. At first, he explains, scientists tried to discover new sexes. Then it morphed into eliminating the categories entirely and replacing them with a spectrum of genders. However, the science remains unshakable. Wright says that “a biologist’s job is to describe and explain the natural world as accurately as possible, not to protect or affirm the identities of ‘marginalized communities.’”

Words are important, and naming things is part of who we are as humans. But “gender” is an example of a word that obfuscates rather than defines. The need to categorize and put people into boxes — to create an identity outside of who they were created to be — is leading people down paths that are not good for them.

It’s not enough to be a girl who likes sports or is more of a tomboy. According to gender ideology, she must really be a boy. A young man may be more sensitive and artistic or gentle. Ergo, according to the gender ideologues, he must really be a girl. Ironically, gender ideology is more rigid on social norms than the binary ever was.

It is so rigid that it leads people to bad premises and ultimately to the wrong conclusions. A male is still a male even if his reproductive organs are removed. He does not magically become a female just because he has declared it, or because he is aping the more stereotypical version of a female, or because he is a monster of a human after all the medical procedures. He is male down to his genes.

Gender is a construct of a monstrous sexologist. John Money was ahead of his time in perverting the inherent roles of men and women in their own bodies and in society at large. Sex is an absolute truth observable in science.

The sad reality is that people who believe in gender theory and gender ideology are constructing their own truth regardless of reality. This has real-world consequences and real-world costs.