When people talk about gender, they could be using that word in one of FIVE different ways.

We used to say “sex” to refer to maleness or femaleness, but over the twentieth century that changed. People started to use the word “gender” instead.

Since the sexual revolution, different meanings of “gender” have been proposed. Sometimes they overlap, and sometimes they conflict. 

What’s the root of this confusion? Let’s unpack it together.

National Marriage Week

"Love Beyond Words" is the theme for this year's National Marriage Week, running right now through February 14. You can find resources, including recent related podcast episodes, an at-home couples retreat guide, preaching tips, and more, at our sister site, For Your Marriage, and the USCCB main site.

National Eucharistic Congress

It's 2024, which means the National Eucharistic Congress is happening this year! The renewal of faith in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is underway, and you can be a part of it. 

Get your tickets now for the centerpiece of the ongoing Eucharistic Revival, happening in Indianapolis July 17-21.

For more information about the congress and how it fits into the broader revival, click here!

Legal/Policy Updates

Biden Administration – The Department of Justice attracted suspicion of malpractice after it investigated a Texas doctor who served as an anonymous source in a May story that drew attention to his hospital's provision of GAC for minors in spite of its public promise to the contrary.

Courts – An advocacy group called the "Transgender American Veterans Association" filed suit against the Department of Veteran Affairs in an attempt to require it to provide and pay for "gender-affirming care" (GAC) for veteran patients. Lawyers argued before the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals whether Massachusetts public school officials violated the right to free speech when they prohibited a middle school boy from wearing a t-shirt reading, "There are only two genders".

States – The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles announced that state-issued licenses must reflect drivers' inherent sex instead of self-identified "gender". A father in New Jersey filed suit against his daughter's school district after discovering that her school had been using a male name and pronouns to refer to her for over two months without his knowledge. The Ohio Senate overrode the governor's veto of a ban on GAC for minors, allowing the ban to take effect in April. The governor of Ohio then softened guidelines on GAC for individuals age 18-20. Utah passed a law requiring individuals to use bathrooms and locker rooms on public property in accordance with their sex.

International – The World Health Organization announced changes to its development of GAC guidelines. It expanded the feedback window after significant public backlash and also acknowledged that "[t]he scope will cover adults only and not address the needs of children and adolescents, because on review, the evidence base for children and adolescents is limited and variable regarding the longer-term outcomes of gender affirming care for children and adolescents."

The Canadian province of Alberta published guidelines expected to be implemented later this year that would prohibit GAC for children under 16 years of age.



Whistleblowers – Another whistleblower came forward to draw attention to dangerous health care policies fast-tracking GAC for minors. Tamara Pietzke was a therapist for MultiCare, one of the largest hospital systems in the state of Washington, until she was repeatedly directed to approve medical transition for incoming patients regardless of their medical history or underlying conditions.

Corporate – The National Legal and Policy Center, which owns stock in Mondelez International, announced plans to sponsor a shareholder proposal to investigate Mondelez's collaboration with the pro-LGBT advocacy group PFLAG throught Mondelez's prominent Oreo brand.