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GC

Gender critical (GC) is a feminist perspective that asserts biological sex—defined as an immutable characteristic determined by reproductive anatomy and gametes—is the primary axis of women's oppression under patriarchy and the basis for sex-based rights, categories, and protections, while rejecting the subordination of these to subjective gender identity claims.^[1]^[2] GC advocates maintain that women are adult human females and that conflating sex with gender erodes single-sex spaces, sports, and services essential for female safety, fairness, and autonomy, drawing on evidence of physical dimorphism and patterns of male violence.^[3]^[2] Emerging from radical feminist traditions of the 1960s and 1970s that critiqued gender as a tool of male dominance, the contemporary GC movement gained traction in the 2010s amid legal pushes for gender self-identification, such as proposed reforms to the UK's Gender Recognition Act, which GC groups argued would undermine women's protections by allowing males to access female-only domains without safeguards.^[4] Notable figures include philosopher Kathleen Stock, who resigned from her university post amid backlash for GC views, and activist Sheila Jeffreys, whose writings emphasize sex-based analysis of patriarchy.^[5]^[6] The position has faced intense controversy, including professional repercussions and labels of bigotry from institutions, yet secured legal victories like the 2021 UK employment tribunal ruling that GC beliefs qualify as protected philosophical convictions under equality law.^[2]

Computing

Garbage collection

Garbage collection (GC) is an automatic memory management mechanism in programming languages that identifies and reclaims memory occupied by objects no longer reachable from the program's roots, such as stack variables or global references, thereby preventing memory leaks and reducing manual deallocation errors.^[7]^[8] This process contrasts with manual memory management in languages like C, where programmers explicitly allocate and free memory using functions such as malloc and free. GC was first implemented by John McCarthy in 1959 as part of the Lisp programming language to handle dynamic memory allocation in a recursive environment.^[9] GC operates in two primary phases: marking, where reachable objects are traced from roots, and sweeping or copying, where unmarked objects are deallocated or relocated to compact the heap. Common algorithms include reference counting, which tracks the number of references to each object and frees it when the count reaches zero; mark-and-sweep, which scans for unreachable objects after marking live ones; and generational collection, which divides the heap into generations based on object age to optimize for short-lived objects.^[10] Advanced variants, such as concurrent or incremental GC, aim to minimize application pauses by performing collection in parallel with execution.^[11] Languages employing GC include Java, which uses a generational collector in the JVM; C#, with the .NET CLR's managed heap; Python, combining reference counting with cycle detection; Go, featuring a tri-color mark-and-sweep collector; and JavaScript engines like V8, which apply generational and incremental techniques.^[8]^[12] Advantages of GC include increased developer productivity by automating deallocation, elimination of common bugs like dangling pointers and double frees, and potential memory compaction to reduce fragmentation.^[13] However, it introduces runtime overhead from collection cycles, unpredictable pause times that can affect real-time systems, and challenges in handling circular references without additional mechanisms.^[14]^[15] Modern implementations mitigate these through low-pause collectors, as in Java's ZGC introduced in JDK 11 for sub-millisecond latencies on large heaps.^[16]

Science

Gas chromatography

Gas chromatography (GC) is an instrumental analytical technique for separating and detecting volatile and semi-volatile compounds in a mixture by vaporizing the sample and passing it through a column with a carrier gas. The separation occurs due to differences in the analytes' partitioning coefficients between a mobile gaseous phase and a stationary phase, typically a thin liquid film adsorbed onto a solid support or coated on capillary walls. This method provides high resolution and sensitivity, enabling quantitative and qualitative analysis based on retention times and peak areas./Instrumentation_and_Analysis/Chromatography/Gas_Chromatography) The technique was first described in 1952 by British chemists Archer J. P. Martin and Anthony T. James, building on Martin's earlier work in partition chromatography that earned him the 1952 Nobel Prize in Chemistry shared with Richard L. M. Synge. Commercial instruments emerged shortly after, with early adoption in petrochemical analysis for hydrocarbon separation. Advancements in the 1970s, including fused-silica capillary columns introduced by Marcel Golay, improved efficiency and reduced analysis times from hours to minutes. By the 1980s, coupling with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) became routine, enhancing identification capabilities through spectral matching against libraries containing millions of compounds.^[17]^[18]^[19] In operation, a sample is injected into a heated port where it vaporizes and mixes with an inert carrier gas, such as helium or nitrogen, which propels it through the column housed in a temperature-controlled oven. Analytes interact variably with the stationary phase—via adsorption, absorption, or size exclusion—causing slower-moving compounds to elute later, producing a chromatogram of peaks whose positions (retention time) and intensities reflect identity and concentration. Column types include packed columns, filled with coated solid particles for higher sample capacity but lower resolution, and open tubular capillary columns, which dominate modern use for their superior plate counts exceeding 100,000 theoretical plates per meter. Temperature programming, starting low and ramping up, optimizes separation of compounds with wide boiling point ranges./Instrumentation_and_Analysis/Chromatography/Gas_Chromatography)^[20] Key components include the injector (split/splitless for varying sample sizes), column (polar or non-polar stationary phases like polydimethylsiloxane), detector, and data acquisition system. Detectors quantify eluted analytes; the flame ionization detector (FID) is most common, burning effluents in hydrogen flame to produce ions proportional to carbon content, offering picogram sensitivity for organics but destructive to the sample. Thermal conductivity detectors (TCD) measure universal changes in gas thermal properties non-destructively, suitable for permanent gases with lower sensitivity. Electron capture detectors (ECD) excel for halogenated compounds via beta-ionization, achieving femtogram detection limits. Mass spectrometric detectors in GC-MS provide structural elucidation by ionizing and fragmenting molecules, with electron impact at 70 eV generating characteristic spectra for library searches.^[21]^[22]^[23] Applications span environmental monitoring for pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at parts-per-billion levels, pharmaceutical quality control for residual solvents per ICH Q3C guidelines, food safety for pesticide residues, and forensics for drug and accelerant profiling. In petrochemicals, GC determines gasoline composition, aiding octane rating via standards like ASTM D4815. Limitations include unsuitability for non-volatiles or thermally labile compounds, requiring derivatization, and potential matrix interferences necessitating sample preparation like solid-phase microextraction. Despite these, GC's speed (analyses in 5-60 minutes) and reproducibility (relative standard deviations <1% for peaks) make it indispensable in over 50% of routine organic analyses.^[24]^[20]/Instrumentation_and_Analysis/Chromatography/Gas_Chromatography)

Glucocorticoid

Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones primarily synthesized in the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex, with cortisol serving as the principal glucocorticoid in humans.^[25] These hormones are essential for maintaining homeostasis, particularly during stress, by modulating metabolic processes, immune responses, and cardiovascular function.^[26] Their production is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, where corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from the hypothalamus stimulates adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release from the pituitary, which in turn prompts adrenal cortisol secretion.^[25] Circulating cortisol levels exhibit a diurnal rhythm, peaking in the early morning and nadir at night, with acute elevations in response to stressors such as infection or trauma.^[27] Physiologically, glucocorticoids exert catabolic effects to mobilize energy reserves, promoting gluconeogenesis in the liver by upregulating enzymes such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase, while inhibiting peripheral glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue.^[25] They antagonize insulin action, elevate blood glucose levels to ensure fuel availability for the brain during stress, and stimulate lipolysis and protein breakdown in skeletal muscle to provide substrates for hepatic glucose production.^[25] In the immune system, glucocorticoids suppress inflammation by binding intracellular glucocorticoid receptors (GR), which translocate to the nucleus to inhibit pro-inflammatory transcription factors like NF-κB and AP-1, thereby reducing cytokine production (e.g., IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α) and promoting apoptosis in lymphocytes and eosinophils.^[26] This immunosuppressive action prevents excessive immune activation but can impair pathogen clearance if prolonged.^[28] The mechanism of glucocorticoid action primarily involves genomic effects: lipophilic glucocorticoids diffuse across cell membranes, bind cytoplasmic GR, form a complex that dissociates heat-shock proteins, and translocates to the nucleus to modulate gene expression, either through direct DNA binding or transrepression of other factors.^[26] Non-genomic effects, such as rapid modulation of membrane proteins or second messengers, also occur but contribute less to long-term physiological impacts.^[29] Synthetic glucocorticoids, analogs of cortisol with enhanced potency or duration (e.g., prednisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone), are widely used therapeutically for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, asthma exacerbations, organ transplantation rejection, and autoimmune diseases.^[30] These agents mimic endogenous actions but often at higher doses, leading to risks such as iatrogenic adrenal suppression upon abrupt withdrawal due to HPA axis inhibition.^[31] Pathological dysregulation of glucocorticoids manifests in disorders like Cushing's syndrome, characterized by chronic excess (often from pituitary adenomas or exogenous therapy) causing central obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and osteoporosis via sustained GR activation.^[32] Conversely, Addison's disease results from adrenal insufficiency, leading to glucocorticoid deficiency with symptoms including fatigue, hypotension, and hyponatremia, necessitating lifelong replacement therapy.^[33] Glucocorticoid resistance syndrome, a rare genetic condition from NR3C1 mutations impairing GR function, presents with elevated cortisol levels without typical hypercortisolism stigmata, sometimes compensated by increased mineralocorticoids or androgens.^[34] Long-term synthetic glucocorticoid use correlates with adverse effects including osteoporosis (via osteoblast inhibition), myopathy, and increased infection susceptibility, underscoring the need for dose minimization and monitoring.^[31]

Places

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is a coastal city located in southeastern Queensland, Australia, approximately 66 kilometres south of Brisbane. It serves as the administrative centre of the City of Gold Coast local government area, which spans 1,402 square kilometres and encompasses 57 kilometres of coastline along the Pacific Ocean. As Australia's sixth-largest city, it had an estimated resident population of 681,389 as of June 2024.^[35]^[36]^[37] The region features a subtropical climate with average annual temperatures ranging from 15°C in winter to 28°C in summer, supporting year-round outdoor activities. Its geography includes golden sand beaches, hinterland rainforests, and urban high-rises concentrated in areas like Surfers Paradise. Originally inhabited by the Kombumerri people of the Yugambeh language group, European settlement began in the 19th century with dairy farming and banana plantations, transitioning to a recreational destination in the early 20th century. Rapid post-World War II development, driven by tourism promotion, led to suburban expansion and infrastructure growth, including the 1958 amalgamation of coastal townships into the City of Gold Coast.^[35]^[37] The economy is dominated by tourism, which attracts approximately 13 million visitors annually and generated $8.1 billion in spending for the year ending December 2024. Key sectors include hospitality, retail, construction, and education, with diversification into health services and creative industries. Theme parks such as Dreamworld and Sea World, along with events like the Gold Coast Marathon, bolster visitor numbers, comprising about 4.93 million tourists in 2024, predominantly domestic. The city's GDP contributions reflect its role as a major non-capital economic hub, supported by international arrivals via Gold Coast Airport.^[38]^[39]^[37]

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is the third-largest island in the Canary Islands archipelago, situated in the Atlantic Ocean about 150 kilometers off the northwestern coast of Africa and politically part of Spain's autonomous community of the Canary Islands. The island spans 1,560 square kilometers of primarily volcanic terrain, characterized by a central mountainous core rising to 1,949 meters at Pico de las Nieves, steep ravines, and diverse landscapes ranging from pine forests to arid dunes. Its 236 kilometers of coastline include sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs, contributing to its varied microclimates.^[40]^[41] Human settlement began around 500 BCE with Berber populations from North Africa, who developed a society reliant on agriculture, herding, and mummification practices; genetic and archaeological evidence confirms their North African origins and isolation until European contact. The island's conquest by the Crown of Castile occurred between 1478 and 1483, led by figures such as Juan Rejón and completed by Pedro de Vera, involving military campaigns against indigenous resistance centered in Gáldar and Telde, resulting in the subjugation and displacement of native Canarians. Colonization introduced sugarcane, European settlers, and the founding of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 1478 as the island's administrative hub.^[42]^[43] As of 2024, Gran Canaria's population stands at approximately 870,000, densely concentrated in urban areas like Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which hosts over 380,000 residents. The economy centers on tourism, which has driven growth since the first charter flights in 1957 and now accounts for up to 80% of regional gross income through beach resorts, hiking, and water sports, bolstered by the island's subtropical climate featuring average temperatures of 18–24°C year-round and minimal rainfall in coastal zones. Agriculture persists in fertile northern valleys, exporting bananas, tomatoes, and potatoes to Europe and beyond, while ports like Las Palmas facilitate transatlantic trade.^[44]^[45]^[46]

Transportation

General classification (cycling)

The general classification, often abbreviated as GC, constitutes the primary overall ranking in multi-stage professional road cycling races, aggregating each rider's cumulative elapsed time across all stages to determine the leader with the fastest total time.^[47] This classification emphasizes endurance and consistency, distinguishing it from secondary competitions like points or mountains standings, which reward sprinting prowess or climbing ability, respectively.^[48] In Grand Tours such as the Tour de France, Vuelta a España, and Giro d'Italia, the GC winner receives the highest prestige and substantial prize money, often exceeding €500,000 in the Tour de France as of 2024.^[49] Calculation of GC positions involves summing individual stage finishing times, adjusted by time bonuses—typically 10, 6, and 4 seconds awarded to the top three finishers in mass-start stages or at intermediate sprints—and deductions for penalties incurred due to rule violations like drafting behind vehicles, which can add 20 seconds or more per infraction under UCI regulations.^[50] If riders finish in the same group at the stage end, they receive identical times to preserve peloton dynamics, but solo breakaways or time trials yield precise individual timings.^[47] The UCI mandates that stage race organizers define bonus structures in advance, ensuring transparency, though specifics vary; for instance, the 2024 Tour de France allocated bonuses only on select flat stages to balance climber advantages in mountainous terrain.^[51] Historically, the GC originated with the inaugural Tour de France in 1903, where Maurice Garin claimed victory by over two hours in the points-based precursor that evolved into modern time trials by 1920.^[52] The distinctive yellow jersey for the GC leader debuted in the 1919 Tour de France, inspired by the race's newspaper sponsor L'Auto's yellow pages, and has since become iconic, with similar colored leader jerseys adopted in other Grand Tours (pink for Giro d'Italia, red for Vuelta a España).^[48] UCI oversight standardized GC protocols across WorldTour events starting in 2005, mandating electronic timing chips for accuracy and prohibiting team-based time credits beyond the first three riders' aggregated times for team classification purposes.^[53] GC contention shapes race strategies, with teams protecting "GC riders"—specialists like Tadej Pogačar, who won the 2024 Tour de France by 6 minutes 17 seconds—through domestique support to neutralize attacks and conserve energy on non-critical stages.^[54] Unlike one-day classics, where raw power suffices, GC success demands tactical acumen in time trials (often 20-60 km individual efforts) and mountain stages, where gradients exceeding 10% can create time gaps of minutes.^[55] Doping scandals, including Lance Armstrong's stripped 1999-2005 victories, have prompted stricter UCI anti-doping measures, yet empirical data from biological passports since 2008 shows sustained high-level performances, with average GC winning margins tightening to under 2 minutes in recent editions due to advanced training and nutrition.^[54]

Organizations

General Conference (Seventh-day Adventist Church)

The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists serves as the highest administrative authority and coordinating body for the global Seventh-day Adventist Church, encompassing over 22 million members across approximately 200 countries as of recent reports.^[56] Headquartered at 12501 Old Columbia Pike in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, it oversees the church's administrative divisions, departments, and worldwide mission activities while maintaining a representative form of governance.^[57] The organization emphasizes biblical principles, health reform, education, and evangelism, reflecting the church's foundational beliefs derived from the teachings of early leaders like Ellen G. White.^[58] Established on May 20, 1863, in Battle Creek, Michigan, the General Conference emerged from the need to unify scattered Sabbath-keeping Adventist groups into a structured denomination amid rapid growth following the 1844 Millerite movement's aftermath.^[59] The inaugural session convened with 20 delegates from six regional conferences, marking the formal transition from informal associations to a centralized yet decentralized polity designed to facilitate missionary expansion without hierarchical overreach.^[60] This structure was influenced by pragmatic considerations of legal incorporation for property management and doctrinal consistency, as early Adventists faced legal challenges in states like Michigan.^[61] Over time, reorganizations—such as the 1901 restructuring prompted by Ellen White's counsel to decentralize authority—refined its operations to balance global oversight with local autonomy.^[62] The General Conference operates through a quadrennial cycle of sessions, with the plenary General Conference Session held every five years as the supreme legislative and electoral body, where delegates from unions and divisions vote on policies, budgets, and leadership.^[63] Between sessions, an Executive Committee of about 300 members, including division and union officers, handles administrative duties and convenes Annual Councils for interim decisions.^[64] The church's structure cascades downward: from the General Conference through 13 regional divisions (e.g., North American, Inter-American), to union conferences, local conferences, and individual churches, ensuring representation proportional to membership.^[58] Key functions include coordinating global initiatives like disaster relief via ADRA, educational standards through over 8,000 schools and universities, and healthcare networks, while upholding doctrines such as the seventh-day Sabbath and imminent second coming of Christ.^[65] Recent sessions illustrate its adaptive role; the 61st Session in 2022 was abbreviated to six hybrid days in St. Louis due to COVID-19 disruptions, focusing on virtual participation for thousands of delegates.^[66] The forthcoming 62nd Session, scheduled for July 3–12, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri, anticipates in-person attendance with the theme "Jesus is Coming, I Will Go," electing officers for the 2025–2030 term amid discussions on evangelism strategies and administrative compliance.^[67] These gatherings have historically addressed pivotal issues, such as the 1888 Minneapolis session's debates on righteousness by faith, which influenced doctrinal emphases without altering core organizational principles.^[68]

People, Jobs, and Characters

George Cross (award)

The George Cross (GC) is the premier gallantry decoration in the United Kingdom honours system, equivalent in precedence to the [Victoria Cross](/page/Victoria Cross) but reserved for acts of exceptional bravery not in the face of an enemy.^[69] Instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI amid the Second World War, it was created to honor civilian courage, particularly in civil defense roles such as air raid precautions and unexploded bomb disposal during the Blitz, filling a gap left by military-focused awards.^[70] The first recipients were announced on 30 September 1940, with early awards emphasizing heroism in extreme peril from wartime hazards like incendiary devices and structural collapses.^[70] Eligibility extends to civilians, all ranks of the armed forces, police, and emergency services personnel, with posthumous awards permitted.^[71] The criteria specify "acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstance of extreme danger," typically involving non-operational scenarios such as defusing explosives, rescuing from fires or floods, or confronting terrorists without combat involvement.^[71] Unlike lower-tier awards like the George Medal, the GC demands unparalleled self-sacrifice, often where death was highly probable; recommendations originate from eyewitness accounts or official inquiries and require sovereign approval via the Prime Minister.^[72] The medal, designed by sculptor Percy Metcalfe, comprises a plain silver cross measuring 44 mm, suspended from a dark blue ribbon.^[70] The obverse features Saint George slaying the dragon encircled by "For Gallantry" and the sovereign's cypher; the reverse bears the recipient's name, rank (if applicable), and date of the deed.^[70] It superseded the Empire Gallantry Medal and later incorporated exchanges from the Edward Medal (for mine/rescue bravery) and Albert Medal (for lifesaving), allowing prior holders to adopt the GC retroactively to unify civilian gallantry recognition.^[73] Over its history, King George VI approved 114 individual GCs, while Queen Elizabeth II authorized 33 for UK-based acts (excluding collectives), reflecting the award's rarity amid post-war decline in qualifying incidents.^[70] Approximately 160 original awards have been made directly, including about 86 posthumous, with over 240 exchanges from predecessor medals; recipients total around 400 individuals when including these, plus three collectives to groups.^[74] Awards to women number 12, and some foreign-born personnel serving with British units, such as Belgian and French agents in wartime sabotage, have received it.^[70] Collective grants underscore communal valor: Malta received one in April 1942 for enduring over 3,000 Axis air raids, now emblazoned on its national flag; the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1999 for anti-terrorism service amid the Troubles; and the UK's National Health Service on 5 July 2021 for frontline response to the COVID-19 pandemic, encompassing millions of staff across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.^[69] ^[70] Individual examples include early WWII bomb disposal officers facing improvised devices in urban areas and modern cases like Royal Marine Dominic Troulan in 2017 for shielding civilians from gunfire in Kenya.^[75] No honorary awards exist, maintaining the GC's focus on verified, life-risking acts over symbolic gestures.^[76]

Entertainment

Group chat (media)

Group Chat is an American reality television series produced by Nickelodeon, featuring social media influencers hosting discussions, games, and challenges centered on contemporary trends and youth culture.^[77] The program debuted on May 23, 2020, with initial episodes co-hosted by influencers Annie LeBlanc and Jayden Bartels, who engaged guests in remote-style conversations mimicking online chat rooms.^[78] In later installments, Bartels transitioned to co-hosting alongside Brent Rivera, maintaining the format of interactive segments including physical challenges and trend commentary.^[79] The series, which ran for a single season concluding in late 2020, targeted preteens and teens through its blend of unscripted talk and light entertainment, often incorporating viral social media elements like TikTok dances and app-based games.^[80] Episodes typically featured surprise celebrity guests from the digital influencer space, emphasizing casual banter over structured narratives.^[81] Critics noted its appeal to young audiences familiar with online group dynamics but critiqued its superficial engagement with topics, rating it moderately at 4.6 out of 10 on IMDb based on viewer feedback from 82 users.^[77] In 2025, the title Group Chat also applied to distinct media projects, including a Hulu pilot ordered on April 2 for a comedy series starring La La Anthony, depicting affluent women in their 40s whose private messaging reveals personal discord beneath public personas.^[82] Separately, TikTok creator Sydney Jo Robinson's viral skit series The Group Chat, launched in March 2025, portrayed a fictional friend group's text-based meltdown over social exclusion, amassing millions of views and attention from outlets like CNN for its relatable portrayal of interpersonal tensions.^[83] These later works highlight evolving interpretations of "group chat" as a narrative device in digital-era storytelling, distinct from the Nickelodeon iteration's live-audience focus.^[84]

Other Uses

Get cancer (slang)

"Get cancer" is an English-language internet slang expression functioning as a severe insult, explicitly wishing upon the recipient the contraction of cancer, a malignant disease responsible for approximately 10 million deaths worldwide in 2020 according to World Health Organization data. The phrase conveys extreme hostility in online arguments, often in anonymous or pseudonymous settings where social repercussions are minimized, such as multiplayer video game chats or comment sections. Its usage underscores the desensitization to serious medical conditions in digital spaces, where hyperbolic curses replace measured discourse.^[85] The term gained visibility in gaming communities during the mid-2010s, with documented instances in forums discussing titles like League of Legends, where players invoked it to denounce opponents or strategies perceived as frustrating.^[86] A notable case occurred on May 25, 2018, when British YouTuber and game critic TotalBiscuit (John Bain) publicly tweeted the phrase at a detractor amid a dispute over game journalism ethics, prompting backlash for its callousness and highlighting tensions between online anonymity and accountability.^[87] Bain, who himself battled terminal cancer at the time and died in May 2018 from complications related to the disease, later clarified the context but faced criticism for escalating rhetoric in heated exchanges.^[87] Related variants include abbreviated or metaphorical uses of "cancer" to label something as irredeemably harmful or low-quality, such as deeming a meme iteration or gameplay mechanic "cancerous," but "get cancer" retains a direct, personal malediction absent in these dilutions.^[88] This slang parallels profanity in other languages, like Dutch "kanker op" (literally "cancer off" or "get cancer"), a commonplace expletive reflecting cultural normalization of disease-based invective despite its morbidity.^[89] Critics, including cancer survivors and advocacy groups, argue such language trivializes the suffering of patients—evidenced by over 19 million new cases annually—and perpetuates stigma, though proponents in subcultures view it as cathartic venting unbound by real-world etiquette.^[90]^[89]

Gender critical

Gender critical is a philosophical stance asserting that human biological sex is binary, immutable, and determined by reproductive function—specifically, the production of small gametes (sperm) by males and large gametes (ova) by females—with no third sex category in humans.^[91] This view holds that sex cannot be altered by medical interventions, social transition, or self-identification, as chromosomes, gametes, and secondary sex characteristics remain unchanged despite hormone therapy or surgery.^[91] Proponents argue that recognizing sex as a material reality is essential for safeguarding sex-based rights, particularly women's protections in areas like prisons, sports, and domestic violence shelters, where male physical advantages persist post-puberty.^[92] The position emerged prominently in the mid-2010s amid debates over transgender self-identification policies, such as proposed reforms to the UK's Gender Recognition Act 2004, which critics contended would undermine female-only spaces by allowing males to legally change sex based on declaration alone.^[93] Gender critical advocates prioritize empirical evidence over subjective gender identity claims, citing biological dimorphism in traits like skeletal structure, muscle mass, and injury rates in contact sports, which justify sex-segregated categories to ensure fairness and safety.^[91] They contend that conflating sex with gender erodes causal distinctions rooted in reproduction and evolution, potentially increasing risks such as voyeurism or assault in female facilities, as documented in cases involving self-identified males.^[92] In legal contexts, gender critical beliefs gained recognition as protected under the UK's Equality Act 2010 following the 2021 Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling in Forstater v CGD Europe, which determined that Maya Forstater's views—that sex is real, women are adult human females, and gender identity cannot override sex-based protections—constitute a philosophical belief worthy of respect in a democratic society, not incompatible with human dignity or likely to conflict with others' rights.^[92] A subsequent 2022 tribunal found Forstater suffered direct discrimination and harassment after losing her consultancy role due to her tweets expressing these views.^[94] This overturned a 2019 preliminary ruling deeming the beliefs non-protected.^[94] Scientific support draws from developmental biology, where sex is fixed at conception by the presence of XX or XY chromosomes directing gonadal differentiation, with disorders of sex development (DSDs) representing rare developmental variations within the binary, not a spectrum erasing it—99.98% of humans fit male or female categories without ambiguity in gamete production.^[91] The 2024 Cass Review, commissioned by NHS England, underscored evidential weaknesses in pediatric gender services, finding low-quality studies on puberty blockers and hormones, leading to recommendations against routine use and emphasizing biological sex in assessments over rapid affirmation of identity.^[95] It highlighted a surge in adolescent referrals—over 5,000 in 2019-2020, predominantly females—without robust causal explanations tying identity to innate traits, urging caution amid potential desistance rates up to 80-90% in pre-pubertal cases.^[95] Prominent figures include researcher Maya Forstater, whose case catalyzed awareness; philosopher Kathleen Stock, who resigned from the University of Sussex in 2021 after protests over her critiques of gender self-ID in university policies; and author J.K. Rowling, who in 2020 publicly defended sex-based rights amid backlash.^[96] Opponents, often from advocacy groups and aligned institutions, label these views "transphobic" or harmful, but gender critical proponents counter that such characterizations sidestep biological facts, noting institutional biases in media and academia that amplify gender identity narratives while marginalizing dissent, as evidenced by censored debates and professional repercussions.^[92] Policy impacts include Scotland's 2023 block on self-ID legislation and World Athletics' 2023 restrictions on male-advantage retention in female events, aligning with data on persistent testosterone-driven performance gaps.^[91]

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Welcome to the online home for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists! The General Conference is the coordinating hub of the Adventist Church.Departments & ServicesContact UsSpecial DaysPublicationsAbout Us
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