Today's MOZEN: We Are What We Choose to Become.

F LoBuono

We ARE whatever we choose to become.

I say this in response to the reaction on social media to the most recent Miss Universe Pageant. The 2018 version was ground breaking because it featured its first Transgender contestant, Miss Spain, Angela Ponce.

Of course, this generated great controversy - as it should. A transgender woman competing in a beauty contest does represent sea change. Therefore, it is worthy of debate.

However, what is NOT acceptable is the amount of ignorant, disgusting, vile, and vitriolic rhetoric directed at the Ms. Ponce. Things like:

She's just a chick with a dick.

The most beautiful woman in Spain is a guy - shame on                                                                       them!

                                                                 "Its" disgusting.

Miss Spain, Angela Ponce. Official Photograph

Another disturbing factor that I found in the comments was the amount of women who made so many particularly vicious ones.

Again, I understand the controversy - will acceptance on this level mean so on ALL levels, like SPORTS? Is it fair to allow transgender women, who were born as physical men (i.e. generally stronger, faster, etc.) to compete against biological women? Again, this is a topic worthy of intelligent debate with the key word being INTELLIGENT.

And, this is where most people lose there arguments; they can't grasp the concept of the difference between GENDER and SEX and debate it with intelligence. So, here's some help:

SEX ( as it refers to biology) is defined as:
*noun

1. either the male or female division of a species, especially as differentiated with reference to the reproductive functions.
2. the sum of the structural and functional differences by which the male and female are distinguished, or the phenomena or behavior dependent on these differences.

GENDER refers to:

*noun

1. either the male or female division of a species, especially as differentiated by social and cultural roles and behavior:the feminine gender.Compare sex(def 1).
2. a similar category of human beings that is outside the male/female binary classification and is based on the individual's personal awareness or identity. See also third gender.

Let me attempt to explain this as simply as possible. Sex, as is appropriate for this discussion, refers to our BODY PARTS, i.e. the physical dimensions of our being - a penis for a man, vagina for a woman. However, even within THESE descriptions there is variation. Some human beings are born with BOTH sex organs! So, already we have room for discussion.

Gender refers to another aspect of our being, i.e. how we FEEL about who we are and where we see ourselves within the traditional definitions of what makes us MALE or FEMALE. We may look one way but feel another. For most people, that may be as simple as changing clothes. But, for others, it is infinitely more complex - they want to change their skin, if you will.

Because we are human, we are both blessed and cursed by our need for connection with our feelings. This often creates internal conflict. We are not just physical beings of flesh and blood. We are also emotional ones of dreams, desires, and longings. In other words, we cannot be simply defined by our external appendages. Just because a person has a cock doesn't necessarily make them a man - especially if they don't feel like one. Of course, the converse goes for women, as well.

Most scientists who study evolution confirm that the key to any species' survival is their ability to ADAPT, i.e. adjust to their surroundings. And, THIS is what transgender people have done - they have adapted themselves to the surroundings they are most comfortable in, and that includes their SKIN, per se. They are doing the things necessary for them to lead the life they believe in - often against great odds (as seen by the ugly comments made against Ms. Ponce).

And, this is a bad thing?

This is no more than a human being living the life she has intended for HERSELF. In the bigger scheme of things, the sex she was born with becomes secondary to the PERSON she desired to be. And, she took the bold, courageous steps to make that happen. This is to be APPLAUDED, not CONDEMNED!

I suppose the bottom like is this: LIVE AND LET LIVE. Let EVERY human being live to their maximum potential and heart's desire. And, that should be no skin off your penis or vagina or whatever you're sporting under your clothes.

We ARE whatever we choose to become.

That is all.

*Dictionary.com