Elaine Lerner

Most Esprit attendees know Elaine Lerner as the mistress of ceremonies at our Friday night Cabaret talent show. What many do not know is that (aside from her musical and comedic talents, such as they are) Elaine is also -- can you believe this? -- a zoologist specializing in animal behavior and ecology. She teaches biology at the college level and is the author of a biology textbook. Elaine has been involved with Esprit and the TG community for many years.

Elaine presents:

X and Why: The Biology of Sex and Gender

Two X chromosomes make girl and an X and a Y make a boy, right? Not necessarily. This presentation explores the relationships among biology, sex, and gender. We learn what chromosomes, genes, hormones, genitals, secondary sex characteristics, and brain differences may (or may not) have to do with sex, and possible connections (and disconnections) between biological sex and gender. Why are there generally two (biological) sexes and not three or four? What is a hermaphrodite? How do bacteria "do it," and why? Why does a "male" body respond to "female" hormones (and vice-versa)? Which is the only chromosome you can live without? Why are human males slightly larger than females, on average? Is there really a developmental quirk that can cause a girl to change into a boy at puberty? Do other animals cross dress? These are some of the questions pondered in "X and Why?" Elaine says, "In 'X and Why?' you'll learn the basics you need to really understand the biological context of your gender journey. And if you hated science in school, it's probably because you never had me as your teacher!"