Somewhat against my better judgement, I’d like to wade into the transgender discussion. Actually, I wouldn’t like to at all. Instead of writing this, I’d rather have spent the last hour reading my Bible, or chatting to my wife, or watching ‘The Chase’, or shaving my head with a cheese grater, or doing a thousand other things. But I think this might be worth the effort. I hope it helps someone.

Last week, I wrote a (now-deleted) Facebook post about Ellen Page declaring herself to be Elliot Page. I asked questions like ‘If gender is just a social construct, then why the need to change genders? Why not just be the kind of woman who breaks stereotypes? How can gender be everything and also nothing at the same time?’ I added that it was sad to see so many people dealing with the delusion and pain of gender dysphoria, and hinted that it would be wonderful to see more people finding the genuine answers that Jesus Christ offers.

A good number of Christian friends said they liked the post; a few commented, some critically. One argued that it was more important to be “loving, kind and respectful” than to be “technically correct”. [He also asked how I’d feel if everyone started calling me ‘Mrs Robson’, arguing that it would hurt my feelings so much that surely I should be able to understand why Page wants the world to call her ‘he/they’ from now on. Okay, here’s an interesting thought experiment: If everyone started calling me ‘Mrs Robson’, would that make me Mrs Robson? Or is there some objective reality which tells us that I am, in fact, Mr Robson, whether or not everyone realises it? “Let God be true, and every human being a liar.” What about if I started calling myself ‘Mrs Robson’—would reality bend to my will?]