Analysis Of Kristen Rogers Gender Identity

Kristen Rogers is a journalist and the associate writer for CNN Features. In her article “Gender identity: The difference between gender, sex and other need-to-knows”, she cites multiple professionals stating why gender and sex are different and should be treated as such. She uses ethos, pathos, and logos to target her audience: young teens and adults confused about their identity, or just achieve her goal to educate the younger generation who is more open to change.

Rogers begins her article by including a tweet made by, author of the Harry

Potter series, J.K. Rowling. The tweet shows Rowling replying to a post stating

“Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.”. Rowling responds with “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m

Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” (Rogers,par.1-3). Rowling received backlash for the tweet, as people accused her of transphobia. By saying “people who menstruate”, women, non-binary people, trans men and gender fluid individuals are included rather than just saying “women”. Rowlings argument was that “erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.” (Rogers,par.4). Her claim is that if we generally refuse to use the word “woman” in the accommodation of others, the concept of cisgendered woman is erased. The author uses pathos in her article by stating the fact that Rowling's tweet “excludes trans men, non-binary and gender fluid people by emphasizing the idea that only cisgender women can menstruate.” (Rogers,par.7). This prompts her audience to possibly understand the common feeling of exclusion. With

Rogers using this controversial tweet as an example at the beginning of her article, she introduces her claim that gender and sex are not the same thing.

Rogers continues her article with logos as she thoroughly explains what trans women are. “Trans women are people who were assigned male at birth but identify

This is helpful to her audience who may not already know the exact definitions. Rogers further includes logos with the statement “by suggesting that gender doesn’t exist and that you are only the sex you were assigned at birth, your argument is that transgender people don’t exist.” (Rogers,par.16). Understanding that gender and sex are not the same, and that they are able to exist at the same time, will enlighten the audience to understand the deserved rights of transgender individuals.

Pathos is further included in the article with Rogers expressing that it is important to “honor and respect the rights and dignity of all women, however they identify.”

(Rogers,par.19) and that “it’s basically disrespectful to ignore the preferred gender expression of an individual; having the pain of dysphoria and to then be disrespected and stigmatized–it’s not right.” (Rogers,par.21-22). This emotional appeal gives her audience a chance to think of how gender discrimination actually affects people with identity issues, the audience may even start to feel sympathetic. This is followed up with Rogers' reasoning with logos and ethos, stating “Educating yourself about language