The Internet insists on calling a spade a spade. The internet will also pompously convince you that they have personally worked with a variety of excavators and that they intimately understand how these fantastic tools curve precisely around their working edges for maximum utility. However, any amount or manner of squinting will also reveal that the tool they are referring to is actually a shovel.

Despite the fact that humans today can undoubtedly access information as before in history, a terrible pandemic of misinformation is still underway. When he’s not producing dizzying Mandela effects to reconcile with, he’s mobilizing the public with pitchforks, rallying them to a cause that didn’t interest them until a week ago. A similar incident occurred during the recent 2024 Paris Olympics, where the identity of the Algerian boxer Imane Khelif faced intense scrutiny following her historic gold medal – with some media outlets and influential figures also contributing to the outcry.

Since the initial feud attracted high-profile figures such as Elon Musk and Trump, a leaked medical report purportedly claimed to “confirm” Imane’s masculinity. This renewed public discourse on the issue, with various Indian media outlets once again casually referring to the athlete as a “man”. For example, a Hindustan Times headline read: “Imane Khelifmedalist at the Paris Olympics, a man confirmed in a leaked medical report”, and another Livemint article claimed that Khelif had been “confirmed as a man” following the leak of his medical information. Similar headlines have been published by many mainstream media outlets, including The Indian Express and Moneycontrol.

Science suggests that there are many nuances when it comes to gender and identity, concepts that are distorted due to the lack of gender studies in mainstream education. Stating that Khelif is male, based solely on stated biological characteristics, is highly misleading when discussing the medical and societal implications of gender identity. To clear up any confusion, let’s examine official definitions of gender, explore Khelif’s reported health condition, and consider the implications of how media coverage can amplify misunderstandings and biases.

Where the new controversy began

The recent controversy began when a leaked medical report indicated that Khelif had XY chromosomes, internal testicles and did not have a uterus, potentially due to a rare genetic disorder called 5-alpha reductase deficiency.
This was not new, as a similar report had also helped Khelif face media and public scrutiny in the past. However, during the Olympics, statements from high-profile figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump and author Rowling – who insisted Khelif was an ineligible man – helped propel public discourse on gender and sports to astronomical levels. In response, Khelif filed a lawsuit in France against Trump, Rowling and Elon Musk, citing cyberstalking and arguing that comments about her identity amounted to public harassment.

Despite the reports and outrage, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed her eligibility to compete in the women’s division, recognizing her identity as a woman. They based their decision on her long-standing identification as a woman and her history of competing as such, thereby setting an example of inclusiveness while recognizing the complexities of gender and biological diversity.

Difference Between Sex and Gender

Understanding Khelif’s case requires better clarity on the terms “sex” and “gender.” Although the public may use them interchangeably, there are important differences embedded in many scientific fields. Sex generally refers to biological differences: chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive anatomy. However, gender encompasses the social roles, behaviors, and identities that individuals embody, which may or may not correspond to their biological sex.

A useful way to think about this distinction is through analogy. Consider how some people have genetically blue eyes while others have brown eyes – these are inherent biological characteristics. However, people may choose to wear contact lenses to change the color of their eyes, just as gender identity can vary depending on how individuals perceive themselves and how they are perceived within society. Another popular – if somewhat controversial – way of comparing the two is to think of a person’s gender as their “hardware”, while their gender is the “software” they run on.

So, a person’s biology may suggest certain physical traits, but their gender identity may align differently based on personal and cultural factors. To help them feel more comfortable with their bodies, many people often undergo hormone treatment and counseling. Some even opt for “gender affirmation” surgeries to change their physical appearance to match the gender in which they feel most comfortable.

It is also essential to recognize that, for some people, gender identity is flexible and can change over time. Although biological sex generally remains constant, some people may feel more connected to a specific gender at certain times in their lives, while at other times they feel aligned with another. This concept, called gender fluidity, shows that gender identity is not always fixed, but rather is shaped by a mixture of inner feelings and external experiences, meaning it can evolve naturally over time. time. Supporting this fluidity helps people feel accepted and understood.

Media language and its implications

For these reasons, it is problematic for the media to refer to Khelif as a “man” or “proven man” in their headlines, which are often the single most read section of the news these days. These titles communicate to the general public that biology alone dictates gender identity, a position inconsistent with widely accepted definitions and understandings of gender today.

For example, even the World Health Organization (WHO) differentiates between sex and gender on the basis of the biological and socially constructed characteristics discussed above, emphasizing that labeling someone as a man based solely on sex-related traits oversimplifies extremes one’s identity and disregards personal self-identification. Not just the WHO, but major organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the United Nations differentiate between sex and gender in the same way.

Science aside, the media has a responsibility to treat sensitive issues like gender identity with nuance and respect. While transparency in reporting is essential, invasive coverage of Khelif’s private medical information and sensationalist labeling may infringe on his privacy. Additionally, by describing one’s gender identity in simplistic terms, the media risks reinforcing stereotypes and marginalizing individuals with differences in sexual development or gender diversity.

Overall, these rare, unique and complex cases should be handled by competent and informed authorities and should not be the subject of a media trial. Ethically, a more respectful approach would involve using gender-neutral terms when discussing Khelif’s eligibility and refraining from any language that disregards his self-identification as a as a woman. Such reporting would be consistent with journalistic guidelines that emphasize minimizing harm and respecting the dignity of individuals, particularly those belonging to vulnerable or marginalized communities.

What is 5-Alpha Reductase deficiency?

The disease believed to be attributed to Khelif, 5-alpha reductase deficiency, is a rare genetic disorder. People with this condition have XY chromosomes, but their bodies do not efficiently convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen responsible for male genital development. Therefore, people with this condition often appear female or have ambiguous genitalia at birth, although they may undergo masculinizing changes at puberty.

Notably, individuals with 5-alpha reductase deficiency are typically assigned at birth as female in societies with limited access to advanced genetic testing. Even Imane’s assigned gender was “female” at birth, according to the official birth certificate shared by her family after the initial controversy during the Paris Olympics. Many of these people live as women and some identify as women throughout their lives. Thus, it would be misleading to categorically label them as male solely based on their chromosomal makeup, as this does not reflect their lived gender experience.

The controversy surrounding Imane Khelif raises essential questions about gender identity and eligibility criteria in competitive sports. Many governing bodies are grappling with these questions, and it is clear that a single set of criteria cannot address the complexities of gender. Striking a balance between fair competition and the inclusion of all athletes will require policies grounded in medical knowledge and a compassionate understanding of gender identity.

Moving forward, it is essential that media, sports organizations and the public work to understand gender identity as a complex intersection of biology, identity and culture.

Disclaimer: This article uses her pronouns as Imane identifies as female and female, and we could not find any public information about her preferred pronouns. However, this does not imply any form of judgment on the athlete’s gender identity. The decision whether or not to allow these athletes to compete should be left to the relevant authorities and should not be made on social or digital media.