Jennifer Sey Criticizes Gender Identity Argument Rooted in Appearance, Citing Maya Forstater's Stance

Jennifer Sey, a prominent advocate for women's sports and gender-critical views, recently took to social media to highlight what she perceives as a superficial argument regarding gender identity. In a tweet, Sey stated, "Man argues gender identity matters because … makeup. That’s literally his argument. Makeup matters. @MForstater puts him to shame." This post underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the definition of gender and the role of traditional gender expressions.

Sey's comment aligns with her well-documented position that sex is a biological reality, distinct from gender identity. She has publicly declared her intention to no longer use the word "gender," asserting, "There are 2 sexes and endless personalities. Period." This perspective is central to her activism, particularly through her company XX-XY Athletics, which advocates for the exclusion of transgender women from women's sports, based on the belief that biological sex should be the sole determinant for athletic categories.

Maya Forstater, whom Sey references, is a British tax expert and gender-critical activist whose views have been legally recognized as a protected belief under the UK's Equality Act 2010. Forstater's stance emphasizes the immutability of biological sex and argues that "sex is immutable and not to be conflated with gender identity." Her legal case, which she ultimately won on appeal, centered on her right to express these beliefs without facing discrimination, even while acknowledging that such views do not permit misgendering transgender individuals with impunity.

The "makeup" argument, as presented by Sey, appears to be a simplification of arguments that link gender identity to stereotypical expressions of femininity, such as cosmetic use. Gender-critical feminists like Sey and Forstater contend that such associations reduce womanhood to superficial traits rather than biological sex, which they argue is the fundamental basis of being a woman. This viewpoint challenges the idea that gender identity, particularly when expressed through traditionally feminine aesthetics, should supersede biological sex in discussions about women's rights and spaces.

The exchange reflects a broader ideological divide within feminism and society at large regarding the interplay of sex, gender, and identity. While proponents of gender identity emphasize self-identification and the social construct of gender, gender-critical advocates maintain that biological sex is paramount, particularly in contexts like sports and single-sex spaces. Sey's tweet, by invoking Forstater, positions her argument within a well-established framework that prioritizes biological sex over gender identity, especially when the latter is perceived to be based on external appearances.