The myth of two genders: why it’s time to move on

One of the most common tactics in debates about gender is the “gotcha” question: How many genders are there? It is thrown out like a trap, a way to corner someone into an answer that can be mocked. But this question itself is flawed because it assumes gender is rigid, scientific, and absolute. The reality is far more complex. Gender is not just biology; it is identity, culture, and personal experience woven together.

For those who argue that only two genders exist, the justification is often simple: Male and female, because that is what biology says. In a basic sense, biological sex is categorized into male and female, with intersex individuals existing as natural variations. But even within biology, the strict binary does not fully hold up. The conversation around gender is not just about chromosomes or anatomy, it is about how people experience and express themselves in society.

Biological sex vs. gender identity

Biological sex is defined by physical characteristics like chromosomes, hormone levels, and reproductive anatomy. Traditionally, these are grouped into male (XY) and female (XX), but even this is not always clear-cut. Intersex individuals exist in nature, proving that even biology does not always fit neatly into two categories.

Gender, however, is not about physical traits. It is about identity, roles, and expectations that different societies attach to being male or female. These expectations shift over time and across cultures, meaning gender has never been a static concept.

Why are there 72+ genders?

Many people believe that recognizing more than two genders is a modern invention or a symptom of “woke ideology.” But history tells a different story. Gender identities beyond male and female have existed for centuries. Indigenous North Americans have Two-Spirit identities, South Asia has the Hijra community, and other cultures have long acknowledged the existence of non-binary and gender-fluid individuals.

Today, we have the language to describe these identities in a way that was not widely available before. The number 72, or any expanding list of genders, does not mean people are making things up; it means people are finding the words to explain their experiences. Some examples include:

• Non-binary – A person who does not identify strictly as male or female.
• Genderfluid – Someone whose gender identity shifts over time.
• Agender – A person who does not identify with any gender.
• Demi-boy/Demi-girl – Someone who partially identifies as male or female but not completely.

The point is not to memorize every term but to recognize that identity is deeply personal and diverse.

Culture proves that identity is not fixed

Even among people who are culturally or racially similar, identity is not a single, fixed thing. Take Sri Lanka, for example.

Sri Lanka is a small island, yet it holds an incredible range of identities. The Sinhalese, Tamils, Moors, Burghers, and Veddas all have distinct cultures. Even among the Sinhalese, someone from Colombo may view their identity differently from someone in Kandy or Jaffna. Tamils in the north and Indian Tamils have their own histories, struggles, and cultural nuances. From the outside, they might all be labeled as “Sri Lankan,” but internally, their identities are much more complex.

The same applies to gender. Just as people from the same racial or cultural background can have different personal identities, why is it so hard to accept that gender can be experienced differently by different people?

Historically, gender fluidity was not foreign to Sri Lanka. Hijras and trans identities were present in South Asia long before colonialism, but European rule imposed rigid gender norms that many still cling to today. Gender diversity is not new, the only difference is that people now have more freedom to express it.

Why this should not be a political battle

A common complaint against gender inclusivity is that it is driven by “wokeness” or a leftist agenda. But the idea that people should be able to define their own identity is not about politics; it is about basic human respect.

No one is forcing others to change their identity. No one is erasing biological sex. The only request is to allow people to define themselves without mockery or dismissal. Recognizing multiple gender identities does not mean rejecting science, it simply means acknowledging that human experience is more diverse than a black-and-white classification.

Why should we just get on with it?

At the end of the day, knowing that people identify in ways beyond male and female does not impact most people’s daily lives. If someone identifies as non-binary, genderfluid, or another gender, it does not take away from someone else’s identity as male or female. It does not erase biological sex. It simply allows people to live as their authentic selves, which leads to better mental health, stronger communities, and a more inclusive world.

Rather than turning gender into a culture war, we should accept that human identity is complex. No one needs to understand every identity to respect it. The world is not harmed by recognizing that people exist beyond binary labels; it is enriched by it.

So when someone asks, How many genders are there? instead of treating it as a battle, the better question is, Why does it matter if someone finds an identity that makes them feel whole? Let’s move forward, respect one another, and get on with life.