On Caster Semenya

The media storm that has surfaced concerning the newest 800-metre world champion Caster Semenya caught my attention after having spent the past months writing about hormones, gender, and the way genes and culture foster visible sexual distinctions. The 18-year-old won gold at the World Athletics Championships by crushing competitors in just one minute and 55.45 seconds: While South Africans have rallied around their "Golden Girl", the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) requested that her gender be verified. The African National Congress (ANC) has condemned speculation, calling Semenya a role model. Many family members have come forward to speak with press, including Semenya's 80-year-old grandmother who says she had long been teased about her boyish looks. For now we'll have to wait and see how the controversy plays out, but regardless, let me be completely clear about one particular point: Appearances. The human body comes in many shapes and sizes, packing a cocktail of genes and hormones that drive the behavior and traits we perceive as masculine or feminine. In other words, what we observe is not merely determined by X and Y chromosomes, an affinity for dolls or trucks, and so on. Before jumping to conclusions, remember that lesson from grade school and don't judge a book by its cover.