A Personal Testimony

I have known the anguish of gender confusion in my own life. From before my teenage years I would have preferred to be a female rather than male.

The ambiguity continued into adult life and two marriages. There are two children by the first.

Following the break up of the second marriage I was referred to psychiatrists. I underwent months of psychotherapy which included a month in a major teaching hospital. It was recommended that I seriously consider sex re assignment surgery. Although the prospect was something I had fantasised about, having mixed in the lifestyle for more than a decade I knew that surgery was not the answer.

Until that time I had seen Christians as the ‘enemy’. Shortly after my discharge from hospital God intruded into my life.

So began a slow, and at times painful, about turn in thought and desire. Today I know people, who like myself, are with God’s help, managing to turn their backs on the addiction. Some, even after having undergone the surgery – which is irreversible.

The book of Genesis makes God’s creative intent clear, that is two (only) complimentary sexes. The intent is reaffirmed a number of times throughout the Old Testament, but specifically in the book of Deuteronomy (22:5). Jesus himself said ‘...from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female...’ (Mark 10:6)

The idea of a self determined gender identity runs contrary to the clearly stated intention of God.

Last year (1999) the Evangelical Alliance commissioned a report on transsexuality which has just been published by Paternoster. It is the most comprehensive publication on the subject to date – anywhere.

Activists keen to promote the idea of self determined gender identity have speculated on the contents of the report. They have sought to have the report discredited when they have not had access to it. One Christian activist describing it as medieval.

These same activists are keen to have their claims legitimated by legislation facilitating change to birth certificates, marriage and the adoption of children by right. Their claim that the condition ‘is now a recognised medical condition’ misleads.

It is true that the medical profession recognise that some males and females are confused and deeply disturbed by their given gender identity. But, to imply that the cause is biologically determined and therefore unavoidable, the only remedy thus being surgery – is wrong. They are so short sighted they fail to recognise that if their claims were correct that the potential lies for scientists to correct the ‘mistake’ by means other than surgery. A possibility now recognised by leaders of homosexual lobby groups who have mostly abandoned the notion of biological determination. In short homosexuals content with their lifestyles are fearful of the prospect of change.

As has been pointed out in the recent Christian Medical Fellowship journal (Triple Helix) activists and politicians cling to a belief abandoned by scientists decades ago.

Paul Boateng MP, replying to a question asked in Parliament recently said that a transsexual prisoner was being allowed to undergo sex reassignment surgery on the NHS as the condition ‘was now a recognised medical condition’. he statement mirrors the view of the pro-transsexual lobby groups.

For most, gender identity disorder appears a complex issue. The phenomena is largely a product of the twentieth century. It is only in the last eighty years or less that an understanding of the work of hormones etc. and the necessary surgical skills have developed to enable sex re assignment surgery to occur.

As public awareness increases it is for the church to develop knowledge thus enabling an appropriate, compassionate Christian response to those individuals experiencing the anguish of gender ambiguity. Thereby establishing a clear Christian agenda that recognises the necessity of a personal relationship with the Creator. It has been said that if the science is correct it will confirm God’s word, not trump it.

Keith Tiller
Parakaleo Ministry
Youth With a Mission – London

This article also appeared in the Christian Herald in early 2001.