An associate professor at the University of New Mexico, Georgiann Davis, expresses concern about having to teach a simplified view of gender—specifically, the idea that there are only two genders: male and female. In an op-ed published in the Los Angeles Times, she shared her struggles with the notion of having to ignore her identity as an intersex individual. “Should I really teach that there are only men and women?” she questioned.
Davis referenced a viral video where a student at Texas A&M expressed uncertainty about the legality of discussing gender diversity in class, stating that the university’s president claims there are strictly two genders. This comment contradicts the educational frameworks that professors like Melissa McCoul are trying to implement, which highlight the complexities of gender identity.
McCoul faced repercussions, eventually losing her job, with her university asserting that her teachings didn’t align with course descriptions.
In a recent statement, former Texas A&M president Mark A. Welsh III discussed the decision to approve teaching content that diverges from established course descriptions. He said he had directed a change in management following this situation.
Davis worries that if she chooses to teach “honestly,” it might come with backlash. Teaching in the Southwest, she feels a sense of fear regarding the potential outcomes of educating her students truthfully. She expressed concern over rising misinformation regarding gender and sexuality, pointing out the influence of prominent figures like Donald Trump, who perpetuate a strict binary view.
Davis shared her personal experiences, noting that biologically, she does not fit neatly into either category often presented. “Should we deny that intersex people exist? Should we make believe that gender is just a binary?” she asked, provoking thought on the societal expectations surrounding these issues.
As the author of works like “Contest Intersex: A Suspicious Diagnosis,” Davis emphasizes the scientific inaccuracies in asserting only two genders. Statistics from the Cleveland Clinic indicate that about one in every 100 Americans is intersex, a significant portion of the population often overlooked in discussions on gender.
“Thus, I’m left feeling anxious about my role as an educator,” she said. “Do we misrepresent biological truths just to adhere to a narrative that only recognizes two genders? An honest teacher can’t conform to that kind of myth.” In a statement to Fox News Digital, Davis reaffirmed her commitment to teaching the truth, expressing refusal to conform to political pressures that deny the existence and reality of intersex individuals.
