Reflexive Journal Entry - 3
I learned how gender and sexuality are not fixed biological facts but social constructs.
I’ve learned to understand more about how society develops gender and sexuality through
cultural norms, which determine these identities instead of using biological characteristics. The
discovery of gender existing as a spectrum, along with the understanding of gender identity,
forced me to question the usual strict gender categories that people commonly accept. Concepts
such as cisgender, transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit are not native to me, but it is
interesting to learn how diverse human experiences of gender and sexuality truly are. The
concept of active masculinity construction by Connell showed that men do not automatically
possess masculinity, but rather, masculinity develops through social norms, power dynamics, and
institutional rules. Relating to transgender rights, a news story from the past week has been
circulating about youths and their rights to transition. I am not an ally nor an enemy; I am simply
learning more about this topic so that I can advocate for the right change.
The recent news story shares that California is suing a prominent children’s hospital after
ending gender-affirming care for minors following political and administrative pressure. The
lawsuit, brought by California’s attorney general, argues that Rady Children’s Hospital violated a
legally binding agreement by cutting gender-affirming services for patients under 19. The
hospital made this decision due to threats from the federal government targeting providers of
trans youth care.
This story connects directly to our course material by showing how social and political
structures shape access to gender care, rather than biology alone determining need or legitimacy.
We covered in our content that gender identity and expression are personally experienced aspects
of self that do not always align with assigned sex at birth. The legal battle over gender-affirming
care highlights that even medically recognized doctoral treatments can be undermined when
societal power structures (such as institutional pressure) enforce narrow gender norms and
restrict support for gender-diverse people.
I recognize the similarities in how dominant narratives have historically restricted who
counts as “normal” or “worthy”—whether through race, gender, or sexuality. The California
story reminds me that justice must extend to protecting access to care for gender-diverse youth,
because the systems of power at hand can shape the outcomes of our lives. We should do the best
we can to preserve life, in whatever way we can. That is my belief.
Works Cited
Arnold, J. (2026, February 9). California AG Sues Hospital for halting gender transition
procedures for minors. California AG Sues Hospital for Halting Gender Transition
Procedures for Minors.
https://washingtonstand.com/article/california-ag-sues-hospital-for-halting-gender-transiti
on-procedures-for-minors