#Immutable

[gfriendunited]

© immutable | do not edit

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Christina Buttons

Published: Apr 14, 2025

The claim that transgender status is immutable and biologically based was raised in the recent case of Talbott v. Trump. Eight plaintiffs—six active-duty service members and two individuals seeking to enlist—are challenging President Trump’s January 27 executive order barring transgender individuals from military service. The plaintiffs’ filings refer to “gender identity” as a deeply ingrained and involuntary characteristic with a biological basis—language that can be used to claim constitutional protections. The plaintiffs allege that the ban amounts to unlawful discrimination under the equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment.

During hearings in February 2025, U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes pressed Department of Justice attorneys on the administration’s justification for the order. She instructed both parties to brief the court on “questions of biology,” prompting the plaintiffs to submit a five-page brief arguing that transgender identity is both innate and immutable.

This claim carries implications far beyond military recruitment. Activists have used it to justify medical interventions for minors, inform education policies, and establish civil rights protections for “gender identity” comparable with those for race and sexual orientation. There’s just one problem: the plaintiffs’ brief—and the immutability argument more broadly—doesn’t withstand scientific scrutiny.

Though the plaintiffs’ filing never defines gender identity—commonly understood by its proponents as a person’s “internal sense of being male, female, both, or neither”—it nonetheless describes it as “innate,” “deep-seated,” and “impervious to change through external influences.” The brief also claims that a “scientific consensus” exists supporting the biological basis of transgender identity and asserting that transgender individuals constitute “a discernible class.”

The brief’s claim that transgender identity is both innate and immutable appears to rely on a misreading of the evidence. While “innate” typically refers to traits present at birth, “immutable” implies that they cannot be changed. Even early researchers who believed gender dysphoria might be innate did not consider it immutable—particularly in children. Decades of desistance research suggest that 85 percent to 90 percent of children with gender dysphoria who do not undergo medical transition eventually outgrow those feelings, with most going on to become gay or lesbian adults. The growing visibility of detransitioners—individuals who once identified as transgender but later reversed course—further challenges the idea that transgender identity is invariably fixed.

Even if biology plays a role, transgender identification does not arise from a single cause. The heterogeneity within trans-identified populations makes it unlikely that one universal explanation applies across the board. Research instead points to several developmental pathways: a homosexual pathway, historically seen primarily in boys and linked to childhood gender nonconformity and same-sex attraction; an autogynephilic pathway, primarily in adult men, involving sexual arousal at the thought of being female; and rapid-onset gender dysphoria, a pattern that has recently emerged mainly among adolescent girls and shaped by social and psychological factors. These distinct profiles challenge any effort to define transgender identity as a singular, biologically determined condition.

To a layperson, the plaintiffs’ brief may appear persuasive. It employs technical language, cites scientific studies, and references earlier court rulings that treated transgender status as immutable.

But none of this holds up under closer scrutiny. The rulings cited failed to examine the underlying evidence, instead reinforcing a kind of circular legal logic. The studies—focused on brain structure, twin concordance, genetics, and fetal hormone exposure—can give the illusion of a solid scientific foundation, but they are fraught with limitations. They often rely on small, non-representative samples, produce inconsistent results, fail to control for key confounding variables, and lack reliable replication. What remains is a patchwork of inconclusive findings, frequently overstated to support broad claims.

To assess the plaintiffs’ scientific claims properly, it helps to understand that, while sex itself is binary, many sex-related physical and psychological traits exist along a continuum. Some individuals naturally display traits more commonly associated with the opposite sex—often referred to as gender or sex nonconformity. Evidence suggests that prenatal hormone exposure can shape such traits in both boys and girls. Childhood gender nonconformity, a term used in clinical research, has also been strongly associated with same-sex attraction.

Social and cultural influences shape how these traits are understood and expressed. For some, these traits may cause distress, leading to a diagnosis like gender dysphoria. In today’s environment, where transgender identity is often conflated with gender nonconformity, individuals who don’t conform to traditional sex stereotypes may interpret their experiences as an internal “mismatch,” rather than as natural variations in behavior, personality, or sexual orientation.

Sex-based differences in brain structure are well-documented, and, as neuroimaging techniques advanced in the early 2000s, researchers began searching for neurological correlates of gender dysphoria. This sparked a wave of transgender brain studies, many of which received enthusiastic media coverage. Many have referenced these studies to support the idea of a “neurological sex”—that the brain possesses an internal sex separate from the body.

Building on this idea, the brief claims that “research shows transgender women and non-transgender women have similar brain structures,” citing five studies. But these findings are complicated by confounding variables. The use of cross-sex hormones—commonly used among those who medically transition—can alter brain anatomy. And sexual orientation can independently influence brain structure. When studies control for these factors, the results often show that the brains of trans-identified individuals more closely resemble those of their biological sex.

The brief also cites a review of numerous twin case studies to suggest a genetic basis for transgender identity. While identical twins in the review were more likely than fraternal twins to identify as transgender, this does not constitute strong evidence of genetic causation. The research relies on case reports of twins raised together, making it difficult to separate genetic influence from environmental and social factors. Identical twins often share closer emotional bonds, which can influence belief systems and reinforce shared identities.

In nearly every case where both twins identified as transgender, both were also homosexual. The one exception involved a pair of identical twins described in the literature as exhibiting “transvestic fetishism”—a condition now more commonly referred to as autogynephilia. This raises the possibility that the studies are not capturing a genetic basis for transgender identity, but rather a shared predisposition for same-sex attraction.

The study’s findings also diverge from what would be expected if transgender identity were strongly heritable: concordance rates between identical twins—that is, how often both twins in a pair identified as transgender—were modest, while fraternal twins showed no concordance at all. For comparison, twin studies on homosexuality show a more typical genetic pattern, with fraternal twins exhibiting about half the concordance rate of identical twins.

The brief references a study of genetic variants—differences in DNA sequences—related to sex-hormone pathways. These pathways influence how the body produces or responds to hormones like testosterone and estrogen, which may in turn affect behavior patterns traditionally associated with masculinity or femininity. Atypicality in these traits reflect gender nonconformity—not transgender identity itself. While these variants may be more common in trans-identified populations, they are neither unique to, nor predictive of, transgender identity. The authors of the study explicitly caution that “none of the studied variants could hence be assumed to be a primary cause of this condition.”

The brief also cites research on congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a disorder of sex development in which female fetuses are exposed to elevated levels of testosterone due to adrenal gland dysfunction. This excess androgen can lead to masculinized physical traits and more traditionally male-typical behaviors in childhood. While the brief interprets this as evidence that prenatal hormones shape “gender identity,” what the research actually shows is an association between prenatal androgens and masculinized behaviors or interests—that is, gender nonconformity, not identity rejection. Most girls with CAH continue to identify as female, despite these biological effects.

Taken together, the studies cited in the immutability brief do not establish that transgender identification is biologically determined. Instead, they more consistently reflect patterns of gender nonconformity and same-sex attraction. Ultimately, transgender identification is an individual choice made in response to gender-related distress—not the result of a hardwired biological condition.

Misinterpreting the findings of these studies as evidence of a fixed transgender identity risks narrowing society’s understanding of gender nonconformity. Rather than encouraging individuals to alter themselves to fit a prescribed identity, we should create space for a broader range of expression—recognizing that many gender-nonconforming children grow up to be gay or lesbian adults.

As courts and policymakers weigh the arguments in Talbott v. Trump and similar cases, they should treat claims of scientific certainty with skepticism. Decisions with profound personal and social consequences demand clear evidence, honest interpretation, and restraint in drawing conclusions that the research cannot support.

==

I love how "sex is a spectrum," yet somehow an MRI can test for and reveal a "brain sex" binary of a male brain in a female body, or vice versa. And yet also we should trust "self ID," because people can just feel the results of an MRI innately.

"Gender identity" is "innate" and "immutable," except that it's also a "social construct," "not a simple fixed binary construct," "fluid" and a "journey."

Mind-body dualism is a deranged Wonkian boatride.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

٨ يَسُوعُ الْمَسِيحُ هُوَ هُوَ أَمْسًا وَالْيَوْمَ وَإِلَى الأَبَدِ.

Yeshua [God is Salvation] Moshiach [Messiah] the same yesterday, and today, and forever. — Hebrews 13:8 | Arabic Bible (Smith & Van Dyke) and New Messianic Version (NMV) The Arabic Bible, Translated by Smith & Van Dyke (1865) is in the public domain and the New Messianic Version Bible by Tov Rose © 2012. All Rights Reserved. Cross References: Genesis 21:33; Exodus 3:14; 2 Corinthians 1:19-20; Hebrews 1:12; Jude 1:25

Read full chapter

Notes: That God can be trusted and counted on is a comfort to His people. Knowing He is “the same yesterday and today and forever” reminds us that God was reliable in the past, we can trust Him today, and we can hold fast to the hope that is tomorrow. God has always existed, and He wants us to be part of His kingdom.

[just-otter-thoughts]

Latest three Meshuggah albums, sweeties, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry for underestimating you. I said none of you had redeeming qualities and your songs were forgettable...

Demiurge, Clockworks, By The Ton, Armies of the Preposterous, Broken Cog, Marrow, God He Sees In Mirrors... I love all of you.

[thepermanentrainpress]

Gallery: Meshuggah @ Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre - Vancouver, BC Date: November 25, 2023 Photographed by: Danielle Costelo

[anestheticrage]

I am because we are.

Happy birthday to Sena and Ubuntu

Immutable by Z-chan out now!

[metal-stills]

Meshuggah – The Abysmal Eye

Atomic Fire Records

2022

Video produced by Digital Thunderdome / IRWIN Directed by Scott Hansen

Official Video

[bills-bible-basics]

GOD AND HIS WORD ARE OUR CONSTANT -- KJV (King James Version) Bible Verse List #Scriptures #BibleStudy #BibleVerses A Note From Bill Kochman Please notice some of the firm, reassuring words and phrases that are used in the following verses : I change not for ever the same no variableness neither shadow of turning true from the beginning endureth for ever standeth for ever to all generations My counsel shall stand I will do all my pleasure hath he said, and shall he not do it? hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? immutability of his counsel by two immutable things anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast Can there be any doubt then that God and His Word are our constant, and the anchor of our soul? "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Malachi 3:6, KJV "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8, KJV "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17, KJV ". . . For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." Psalm 119:89, KJV "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever." Psalm 119:160, KJV "The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations." Psalm 33:11, KJV "Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:" Isaiah 46:9-10, KJV "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" Numbers 23:19, KJV "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;" Hebrews 6:17-19, KJV If you would like more info regarding the origin of these KJV Bible verse lists, go to https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/. Thank-you! https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/god-and-his-word-are-our-constant-kjv-king-james-version-bible-verse-list/?GOD%20AND%20HIS%20WORD%20ARE%20OUR%20CONSTANT%20--%20KJV%20%28King%20James%20Version%29%20Bible%20Verse%20List

[twohitgames]

Anunciado el juego de cartas Might and Magic Fates

Ubisoft ha anunciado el lanzamiento de Might and Magic Fates, un nuevo juego de cartas coleccionables gratuito para dispositivos móviles desarrollado en colaboración con Immutable. El Mar de los Destinos surgió de la destrucción causada por eventos apocalípticos en los mundos de Might & Magic, un multiverso caótico donde fragmentos de orden luchan por sobrevivir. Este reino atrae a héroes y…

[any2aces]

ICYMI: Norma in Metaland Relaunches with Immutable Integration http://dlvr.it/TK0j3q

[jcmarchi]

The Mistakes of CSS

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/the-mistakes-of-css/

The Mistakes of CSS

Surely you have seen a CSS property and thought “Why?” For example:

Why doesn’t z-index work on all elements, and why is it “-index” anyways?

Or:

Why do we need interpolate-size to animate to auto?

You are not alone. CSS was born in 1996 (it can legally order a beer, you know!) and was initially considered a way to style documents; I don’t think anyone imagined everything CSS would be expected to do nearly 30 years later. If we had a time machine, many things would be done differently to match conventions or to make more sense. Heck, even the CSS Working Group admits to wanting a time-traveling contraption… in the specifications!

NOTE: If we had a time machine, this property wouldn’t need to exist.

CSS Values and Units Module Level 5, Section 10.4

If by some stroke of opportunity, I was given free rein to rename some things in CSS, a couple of ideas come to mind, but if you want more, you can find an ongoing list of mistakes made in CSS… by the CSS Working Group! Take, for example, background-repeat:

Not quite a mistake, because it was a reasonable default for the 90s, but it would be more helpful since then if background-repeat defaulted to no-repeat.

Right now, people are questioning if CSS Flexbox and CSS Grid should share more syntax in light of the upcoming CSS Masonry layout specifications.

Why not fix them? Sadly, it isn’t as easy as fixing something. People already built their websites with these quirks in mind, and changing them would break those sites. Consider it technical debt.

This is why I think the CSS Working Group deserves an onslaught of praise. Designing new features that are immutable once shipped has to be a nerve-wracking experience that involves inexact science. It’s not that we haven’t seen the specifications change or evolve in the past — they most certainly have — but the value of getting things right the first time is a beast of burden.

Direct Link →

[gfriendunited]

© immutable | do not edit

[nakeddeparture]

Kamisha Benjamin’s report on KFC highlights the immutability of wage slavery (not much different from chattel slavery) and mock sovereignty in Barbados - your sensibilities don’t interrupt facts.

https://youtu.be/I5wKc_4q7Dc

It’s the only conclusion any reasonably thinking person can come to. Naked!!

Like/share/SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel - ✔️🔔/HAVE YOUR SAY/comment on YouTube (it costs you nothing). WhatsApp #2527225512.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Christ's Unchanging Nature

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. — Hebrews 13:8 | English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Cross References: Genesis 21:33; Exodus 3:14; 2 Corinthians 1:19-20; Hebrews 1:12; Jude 1:25

Read full chapter

Notes: That God can be trusted and counted on is a comfort to His people. Knowing He is “the same yesterday and today and forever” reminds us that God was reliable in the past, we can trust Him today, and we can hold fast to the hope that is tomorrow. God has always existed, and He wants us to be part of His kingdom.

[slrmagazine]

Swedish Metal Icons MESHUGGAH Announce Monumental 2025 North American Tour

Swedish Metal Icons MESHUGGAH Announce Monumental 2025 North American Tour. #meshuggah @meshuggah

Get ready for one of the most highly anticipated tours of 2025! Swedish metal juggernauts MESHUGGAH will make their triumphant return to North American stages, bringing their genre-defying, mind-bending sound to fans across the U.S. and Canada. Joining them on this monumental trek, produced by Live Nation, are the fellow legendary acts Cannibal Corpse and Carcass, making this THE tour of the year…

[tenth-sentence]

If you were having a great time at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, 1999, you still are, since that is just one immutable location in spacetime.

"The Fabric of the Cosmos" - Brian Greene