Thank you for the correction. I made the appropriate change to alleviate confusion.
But there are conditions in which a male can have xx or even xxy and a female can have xy. But they are all clearly defined as either a " male" with XY chromosomes or a "female" with XX chromosomes.
Which makes us ask questions about those "conditions" -- as in "clearly defined" by whom?
So I still stick with my definition that a woman is someone with xx chromosomes and a vagina. Although I could include those born with xy chromosomes and a vagina as in the case of those with complete androgen insensitivity (CAIS). Regardless, they have a set definition based on biology...not by their self identification.
Interesting cases, to be sure.
Now, could you please tell me your definition of a woman?
Angelina Jolie in
Tomb Raider -- now
that's my definition of a "woman!"
But seriously, folks...
My definition is not much different from yours, in fact -- with only a few minor differences.
For example, you say "based on biology," but then dismiss the chromosomal issues, which are very much a part of biology -- so I'm going to assume that by "biology," you're referring to physical characteristics.
In that regard, I agree --
except that physical characteristics can be changed. Furthermore, when we talk "biology," we have to include the brain -- not just the genitals -- in that category, and what role the brain (biologically speaking) plays in determining gender identity.
There are a lot of interesting studies:
Brain Sex Differences Related to Gender Identity Development: Genes or Hormones?
Research on the Transgender Brain: What You Should Know – Cleveland Clinic
Transgender brains are more like their desired gender from an early age
But long story short: the jury's still out.
Like in most other topics, the more we learn, the more complicated the world gets -- personally, I wouldn't have it any other way... but I digress.
So I'm going to say, like you, that it's a combination of two things (albeit not quite the same things you do): Physical characteristics (which can change), and the neurochemical makeup of the brain (the research of which is still in its relative infancy).