We can positively ID a person as a certain gender, but we can’t negatively ID them as not a certain gender.
This is the part I’m confused by. Positively identifying someone as one gender identity negatively identifies them as other gender identities. If you can identify someone as, for example, a woman, you also by definition have a way to negatively identify them as a man. So I don’t think we have a definite way to positively or negatively identify someone.
The “positive” or “negative” identification is in relation to what the person claims. So if a person claims to be a woman, we can use science to determine either “yes this person is definitely a woman” or “maybe this person is a woman.” What we can’t do is say “no this person definitely isn’t a woman” because it’s possible there is some factor we haven’t identified or discovered yet which would validate their identity.
Edit to add: actually, I can think of ONE test to prove that somebody who says they’re a woman but isn’t: gender transition to the gender they claim to identify as. Cisgender people usually get severe gender dysphoria if they attempt gender transition. I would consider that proof positive that they aren’t the gender they claim to be. However, subjecting somebody to such an experiment without fully informing them if the risks and/or against their will is massively unethical which, imo, disqualifies it for the purposes of this conversation. But technically it’s an option.
This is the part I’m confused by. Positively identifying someone as one gender identity negatively identifies them as other gender identities. If you can identify someone as, for example, a woman, you also by definition have a way to negatively identify them as a man. So I don’t think we have a definite way to positively or negatively identify someone.
Ah, I think I see where the confusion is.
The “positive” or “negative” identification is in relation to what the person claims. So if a person claims to be a woman, we can use science to determine either “yes this person is definitely a woman” or “maybe this person is a woman.” What we can’t do is say “no this person definitely isn’t a woman” because it’s possible there is some factor we haven’t identified or discovered yet which would validate their identity.
Edit to add: actually, I can think of ONE test to prove that somebody who says they’re a woman but isn’t: gender transition to the gender they claim to identify as. Cisgender people usually get severe gender dysphoria if they attempt gender transition. I would consider that proof positive that they aren’t the gender they claim to be. However, subjecting somebody to such an experiment without fully informing them if the risks and/or against their will is massively unethical which, imo, disqualifies it for the purposes of this conversation. But technically it’s an option.
I’m still not sure I agree with your logic, but ethically your point really isn’t one I want to argue against, so I support this anyways