Elaine Lerner

Past Esprit attendees may remember Elaine from one of our Cabaret talent shows. What many do not know is that Elaine is a zoologist who has studied wildlife around the world. (That's "wildlife," not "wild life!") She teaches college biology and is the author of a biology textbook. Elaine has been involved with Esprit and the TG community for many years. Her transgender memoir is included in the new book Crossing Sexual Boundaries: Transgender Journeys, Uncharted Paths, by Ari Kane-Demaios and Vern Bullough.

Elaine presents:

X and Why: The Biology of Sex and Gender

Two X chromosomes make girl and an X and a Y make a boy, right? Not necessarily. This presentation explores the relationships among biology, sex, and gender. We learn what chromosomes, genes, hormones, genitals, secondary sex characteristics, and brain differences may (or may not) have to do with sex, and possible connections (and disconnections) between biological sex and gender. Why are there generally two (biological) sexes and not three or four? What is a hermaphrodite? How do bacteria "do it," and why? Why does a "male" body respond to "female" hormones (and vice-versa)? Which is the only chromosome you can live without? Why is the average human male slightly larger than the average female? Is there really a developmental quirk that can cause a girl to change into a boy at puberty? Do other animals cross dress? These are some of the questions pondered in "X and Why." Elaine says, "In 'X and Why' you'll learn the basics you need to really understand the biological context of your gender journey. And if you hated science in school, it's probably because you never had me as your teacher!"