010037 FS Beyond the two sexes (2019W)

Intersexuality and transsexuality are two realities of life that stand at odds with the common binary paradigm of sexuality. In comparison to the common male-female-scheme, inter- and transsexuality are characterized by a biological ambiguity or an incongruence between an individual’s experience of their gender and body. Despite the lessening of discrimination in recent years (e.g. legal introduction of a “third option” in the Civil Status Act or the deletion of transsexuality from the list of mental illnesses in the ICD-11), inter- and transsexuals find themselves pushed to the margins in many ways. Both the church and society tend to view these phenomena as taboo and to label them as exotic or even pathological. Thus, the question remains as to how society and the church should deal with gender diversity differently.
This seminar reflects on inter- and transsexuality on special issues from different disciplines (biology, medicine, sociology, psychology, law, gender-studies, philosophy, theology etc.). We will focus on specific ethical challenges for theology and society when it comes to a culture of acceptance and recognition of inter- and transsexual persons.
Students will be asked to prepare presentations followed by group discussions. We also plan to invite individuals who identify as inter – or transsexual to enable an existential dialogue.