Module 8 Discussion- Spectrums of Gender

Evolving language & Cultural Understanding of Gender
Breaking out of gender binary and strict categories of male/female, masculine/feminine
Embracing blurred, fluid identities across a gender spectrum

“Masculine & feminine roles are not biologically fixed but socially constructed”

What is Intersex?
Born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male.

In other words, physical bodies that are neither wholly male or female- they are outside the binary

Attributed to more than 70 different chromosomal and hormonal conditions

Who is Intersex?
Approx 1 in 1000 babies born with intersex traits- does not include variations that show later in life (puberty, fertility, not at all)

Number of intersex people has been compared to number of people with naturally red hair.

Intersex is also a socially constructed category that determines what is “typically” male or female and therefore what does and does not “fit”

Intersex Identity
Intersex is separate from gender identity and sexual orientation.

May identify as male, female, trans, 3rd gender.

Identity and difficulties are often be impacted by decisions made doctors and parents at birth

(Note: hermaphrodite is an obsolete term that is not currently considered appropriate.)

Intersex Surgery
Sex assignment surgery to create “consistent” genitalia on infants has been protocol for decades

Nearly all cosmetic and not medically necessary

Based on belief that infants are gender neutral at birth & gender identity and social belonging are dependent consistent genitalia.

Parents counseled to maintain secrecy into adulthood.

Surgery Controversy
Intersex Society of North America argues intersex genital surgeries are a human rights issue:
Does not address medical need or improve bodily function
Children too young & parents under-informed to provide consent
Higher risk of impairment in sexual, reproductive, or other bodily function & need for ongoing treatment.
Emotional trauma: Suggests child is not acceptable as they are. Potential for “incorrect” assignment

Who is Transgender?
Refers to all people who identify outside dominant ideas of gender

Commonly believed to be male or female who transition to the “other” sex but in can be anyone on gender spectrum that is not within binary or Cisgender

“The real promise of the transgender movement is not the freedom to figure out ways to become more fully male or fully female, but rather freedom from gender entirely” – Shannon Gilreath

(Cisgender: A gender identity that society considers to “match” the biological sex assigned at birth. The prefix cis-means “on this side of” or “not across from.)

Trans Rights
Legal to deny housing to trans people in 32 states
52% of LGBTQ people live in states that where they can legally be fired, denied promotions, refused training, harassed, and denied employment.
Trans identity used to deny parental custody, visitation, & adoption
Trans patients denied access to healthcare/treatment

Identity Documents
Major area of legal concern for Trans and Intersex people
Documents that do not match each other and/or gender presentation cause difficulties personal affairs & can lead to harassment & discrimination
State & national laws vary and are not consistent.
Federal US government does not recognize 3rd gender on documents but more countries and states do

“Bathroom Battlegrounds”
Bathroom Bill: common term for legislation that defines access to public bathrooms based on sex or gender identity
Gendered bathrooms relatively recent, not universal culturally & remain neutral in private.
Bathroom segregation not biologically necessary but socially constructed.
Arguments against Trans access to bathrooms based on “sexual predator” narrative.
Assumes compulsory heterosexuality and produces sexual scripts of female victims and male rapists.
Stats do not support fear of bathroom sexual assault- “Stranger rape myth”
Transgender people significantly more likely to be assaulted based bathroom use