Dr. Marianne J. Legato was recently interviewed by award-winning TV and radio personality, Jim Masters, about her latest book, The Plasticity of Sex: The Molecular Biology and Clinical Features of Genomic Sex, Gender Identity and Sexual Behavior, which collects all the evidence-based research on issues of gender identity and transition to provide a comprehensive view on the development and variations of human sexuality.
“We are converting all of the scientific language into something more digestible for the lay public and help diffuse the hostility to these communities,” says Dr. Legato. “Our effort has been to make gender less of an emotional discussion, and more scientifically based.”
Dr. Legato is a pioneer in the field. Gender-specific medicine: the study of how normal human biology differs between men and women, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. As director for the Foundation for Gender-Specific Medicine, Dr. Legato’s research has helped establish sex and gender as important variables in the way we think about the treatment of disease, as well as health and lifestyle.
In the last decade there have been incredible gains for same sex couples. Now, the transgender community is demanding their respect.
“I believe we need to be more tolerant, to listen and not react with repugnance or condemnation to these variations,” says Dr. Legato.
Specialist in internal medicine and primary care.