Of course. Based on the personal accounts of trans individuals, here are the key ways in which gender belief systems are described as resembling religions or cults.

1. Performance for Social Acceptance

A central theme is that both systems require a performance of belief to gain and maintain social standing. Just as people might perform religious faith to belong to a community, individuals perform gender roles to fit into societal hierarchies. As one user explains, people often perform religious belief because it's a form of social acceptance: "The only price for this massive community? You have to say you believe in the things they talk about" – ThrowACephalopod source. Similarly, men are described as being compelled to prove their “manliness” to advance in the social hierarchy, following the rules set by "thought leaders."

2. Rigid, Black-and-White Dogma

Trans perspectives highlight that both systems are built on inflexible, binary thinking that discourages questioning. This is compared to a "quasi-religious belief" where core tenets, like a gender binary defined at birth, are treated as absolute truth. Any deviation is framed not just as a difference, but as a transgression. One user notes that this rigid perspective is reinforced by fear, explaining that in their evangelical upbringing, "fear of eternal misery... fits nicely with maintaining an Us-vs-Them worldview... and a rigid black and white perspective" – Ms_DNA source.

3. Cult-Like Mechanisms of Control

Many accounts directly compare oppositional gender ideologies, such as trans-exclusionary radical feminism (TERF) or incel communities, to cults. These groups are described as using classic cult tactics: brainwashing, specific terminology, and creating a "double bind" that makes it difficult for members to leave. One user shares, "TERFs work like a cult (they literally use cult terminology) so deprogramming your twin is gonna be heavy lifting for sure" – SecondaryPosts source. This creates an "Us-vs-Them" dynamic where critical thought is suppressed.

4. Enforcement Through "Conversion" and Punishment

The concept of enforcement is another strong parallel. Just as religious conversion therapy seeks to "correct" a person's identity through what is described as brainwashing, enforced gender conformity operates on the same principle. Bans on gender-affirming care are explicitly labeled as a form of conversion therapy, rooted in the idea that diverging from a cisgender identity is a sin. This enforcement punishes deviation to maintain the purity of the belief system.

5. Retroactive Justification for Core Beliefs

Finally, both systems are seen as relying on a core belief that is not based on evidence but is instead defended with retroactive justifications. The root of transphobia, for instance, is described as a cultural belief that is later supported by arguments like bioessentialism. "Everything after this... is a retroactive justification of what they already believed... It's all about the 'sin' part" – Souseisekigun source. This mirrors how religious dogma is often upheld.

In summary, from these trans perspectives, gender belief systems mirror religions and cults in their demand for performative conformity, their reliance on unchallengeable dogma, their use of controlling and punitive tactics, and their foundation in core beliefs that are defended emotionally rather than logically. Recognizing these patterns can be a powerful step in understanding the social forces that shape our identities.