Solution 1:
Dim val = DirectCast([Enum].Parse(GetType(Gender), "Male"), Gender)
Solution 2:
See Enum.TryParse.
Parse a string to an Enum value in VB.NET
Solution 1:
Dim val = DirectCast([Enum].Parse(GetType(Gender), "Male"), Gender)
Solution 2:
See Enum.TryParse.