First we are humans made in the image of God (albeit fallen) and second our gender is determined by biology not choice. No amount of dogmas or lies can change those two facts.

Old people now must redefine rainbows, and snow flakes!
Times are getting tougher....( or is it tuffer)?

Hi there RUNNER...

You're right. Our gender's are determined by biology and not by some fleeting fancy of choice. That's despite all the tinkering in the world it still won't change it. Anyway, are some humans so bored and listless with life they wish to change the very nature of what they're born as? Go for your life I say, it's a free country, just don't go about trying to influence our younger folk, with this nonsense of altering their gender, if they're bored with who they are.

Let them go about improving themselves, both academically and on the sporting field, after some success in either arena, you might find, your formerly boring life just might take on a whole new meaning for you? You never can tell? Many thanks RUNNER.

G'day DIVER DAN...

Not this old bloke, not for a moment. I'm far too old and cranky to change anything. About all I can do for my fellow man is keep out of his road, and be respectful for what he does. Anything else, I'm afraid he'll need to seek the aid and understanding from others. Thanks D.D.

//I can't speak the French, but don't the have masculine and feminine gender for just about everything within their language?//

Yep. Here's a great video about pronouns in different languages:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46ehrFk-gLk

//Well, I still say 'batsman', when I am talking about a male with a cricket bat in his hand.//

Never understood that one. They're only wielding one bat. Surely they should be referred to as 'The Batman'.

I'll see myself out.

Toni Lavis,
Das is a perfect example of die complexity of english that der chap portrayed.

If you say to a German die Lehrerin then instantly they know you're ferring to a female teacher.
If you say to a German der Lehrer then instantly they know you're referring to a male teacher.
If you say die are all Lehrer then it is clear that they're all teachers.

If you say to an english speaking person the teacher, then they're still left with not knowing if it is a female or male teacher.

If you say teacher to an Australian then you know instantly you're referring to someone on good pay with lots of holidays & .......