HACKER Q&A
📣 vfclists

Is there a higher rate of male to female transitioning among uber geeks?


In the last few years I've noticed sexual transitioning by some of the leaders in open source projects I have an interest in.

I don't know whether I notice it because I have an interest in the same field as the transitioners, or there is a confirmed higher rate of transition among such personality types.

Has that always been the case (ie the rate of the inclination to transition), and is only now more noticeable because it is easier now and carries less social stigma?

I remember reading a novel years back featuring computer programmers where the top programmer was very flamboyant in their self-expression as a woman, and wonder if it is something that has been previously noted but only now more evident because of changed social attitudes.


  👤 alpaca128 Accepted Answer ✓
There is a correlation between gender diversity and autism [0], so the answer is likely yes.

[0] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17794-1


👤 viraptor
> and is only now more noticeable because it is easier now and carries less social stigma?

Even without full statistics on people interested in transitioning historically - that one definitely applies. The internet helped too, where people living in conservative environments got access to useful and accepting communities online.

> if it is something that has been previously noted

I'm sure you'll find lots of stories if you ask in the LGBT communities. Similar to how there are many known historical figures who, based on old letters "lived with their platonic friend" but now we understand what that really meant.


👤 h2odragon
I think it goes deeper: a lot of the people who are likely to question their gender identity are likely to have other geek traits.

Some of the very early stars in tech were seeking identity (more than gender), often to the point of their own destruction. Some folks who were so bright that no one really understood how to use their insights leap to my mind specifically. Someday we'll be able to make use of the things they tried to tell us. Perhaps they'll be remembered then.


👤 JoeyBananas
It is a skillset that one develops by sitting in front of a computer for so long that it causes a certain amount of psychologically damage

👤 lovehdjhjwejj0
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