I respect Fathima Idris's doubts about the nature of transsexuals. Yet I would recommend further study before she concludes that transsexuals should only be considered to be legally and ethically male.

There is considerable research now in on gender identity and brain research that Fathima should not completely dismiss. There is tremendous evidence that femaleness is the default setting for gender identity and the actions of hormones and developmental biology further acts of the brain to create maleness. Should this be inhibited in any way then the result may be a gay identity or transsexual in the extreme case.

If a person's brain is female, why should they not be considered female? And to judge her femaleness by biological function would also deny women who have had hysterectomies or other medical or natural conditions that prevent such functioning.

For any heterosexual to claim an understanding or knowledge of the feelings of the transsexual is rather nave at best. Before undergoing sex reassignment surgery (at least at a reputable institution) the transsexual must undergo counseling and psychological inquiry before engaging in the procedure. To deny the true transsexual this procedure because we are worried about civil suits over deception, which would be grounds for annulment in any legal system is, in my mind, cruel.

What sort of "honest expression" would Fathima recommend? Her opinions on homosexuality were not expressed in her letter nor did she say what a transsexual should do if gender reassignment and state recognition were denied her.

Is she suggesting that transsexuals should just tough it out in their male bodies and live with the hand they were dealt? Or is she recommending forced conversion back to heterosexuality which has been unsuccessfully tried in the past only to further mentally and emotionally damage the transsexual?

If one is uncomfortable with homosexuality and transsexuals that is understandable but let us be honest about our discomfort and try not to hide behind unsound biological or legal argument to justify denying a potential treatment for the transsexual's condition.