“What Is a Woman?” A Question Sparking Conversation at Fresno State
FRESNO, calif – In a world filled with hashtags, headlines, and heated debates, one question continues to spark debates across politics, science and culture: What is a woman?
Well, the answer, it turns out, depends on who you ask.
To explore this question, a series of conversations began in the Tower District in Fresno. The Tower District, filled with rainbow flags, crosswalks and all things pride is a community known for its artsy scene and progressivity. Locals and business owners of the area shared a range of perspectives shaped by personal beliefs, and their own lived experiences.
Cisco Wilson, a security guard in the district, said the question can be interpreted in multiple ways.
“Wow that is a great question. Do you want a philosophical answer or a scientific answer? Well, yes I think anyone can be a woman.” Said Wilson.
Kathy Wosika, an art gallery owner, said she sees womanhood as something defined by personal identity.
“Oh gee, I would say anyone who feels like a woman, believes they are a woman,” said Wosika, “I mean how do I really know I’m a woman? I think I’m a woman I don’t know. I believe a man can become a woman, I mean in the animal world this happens all the time.”
Zachary Young, who owns an LGBTQ+ bar in the area, echoed a similar view.
“For me it has less to do with anything genitalia related and more of just who you identify as,” said Young. “I grew up in a really conservative household where it was just the traditional way of looking at things, but yea I think when it comes down to it, anyone can be a woman.”
While the Tower District often reflects a more liberal and progressive viewpoint, the conversation does not end there. This very question also reaches classrooms and medical offices at Fresno State.
At the university’s Student Health Center, family nurse practitioner Sandra Loehner explained that medicine often distinguishes between biological sex and gender identity.
“A woman is what she feels she is. Yes, there are the anatomical parts that say someone is a biological female, but a woman is what a person says it is,” said Loehner. “I mean, that’s the whole point of someone who is transgender. They may have the biological parts of male but if they feel they’re a woman, so they’re a woman.”
Historically and scientifically, biology textbooks categorized sex based on chromosomes and reproductive anatomy. However, many researchers, scientists and educators now say the concept of gender has expanded as society and medical understanding evolve.
Sophia Boutilier, a professor in the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) program at Fresno State, said identity development can begin early in life.
“It’s important to create a safe space where children can explore their identity,” said Boutilier. “If they’re allowed that space, the only medical step that might come first would be puberty blockers at the age of maybe 11 or 12 or 13.”
Supporters of gender-affirming care argue it can be essential for mental health. This can be seen by individuals who are very vocal about the issue like the U.S assistant secretary for health, and outspoken transgender woman, Rachel Levine.
“Gender affirming care is medical care, gender affirming care is mental health care, and gender affirming care is literally suicide prevention.”
Other opinions at Fresno State differ heavily from the ones shown above.
Dominic Duran, Fresno State’s Turning Point USA President, says you simply cannot argue with science.
“It’s just science, I have a penis, I have balls, my voice is deep, I can grow a beard,” said Duran, “You can’t argue with scientific facts no matter how hard you try. When I was in first grade, I thought I was Mario from super Mario bros. did my parents tell me I was Mario from super Mario bros.? because I’m not.”
Duran also warned of the implications of this mindset.
“Two semesters ago, Chloe Cole came to this [Fresno State] campus, she had transitioned to try and become a man and about mid-way through, taking all of the puberty blockers and the testosterone, she discovered that it’s not her, so she stopped, but her voice is permanently mutilated.” said Duran.
For some people, the definition of a woman is rooted in biology. For others, it is defined by identity, experience or both. What became clear through conversations in Fresno and on campus is that the answer is not universally agreed upon.
Rather, it reflects a broader conversation happening across the United States.
And like many complex questions, the final answer may depend on perspective.