How many genders are there?

It’s popular for certain news organizations to have their reporters ask politicians how many genders there are. The “right” answer, apparently, is two. But a question like this is not fair to the politician or to voters. A politician’s opinion about the number of genders is irrelevant. The number is what it is, and their opinion changes nothing. It also puts them on the spot. They know if they want votes from a particular segment of the population, they will have to resort to pandering. That is, they say what they think those voters want them to say, regardless of what they really think. It’s unfair to voters because all they’ve really learned from the answer is whether that politician is willing to indulge them. It could be a different story once they’re elected. A better question would be one about their stand on policy regarding gender in health care, education, and other areas. There is plenty that could be asked about that. The answers would require more thought and nuance —…