Call for Abstract Submissions to Our ISA Panel

Language: English

The right to not be discriminated against irrespective of gender (identity) clashes with practices of sex and gender registration/categorization as conducted by nation-states. The attribution/registration of sex, framed as a (state) instrument of control impacts the human rights of transgender, non-binary, queer and intersex persons.

To examine (1) the consequences that the systematic attribution and registration of legal sex by nation-states has on the quality of life of individuals (specifically transgender and non-binary), and (2) the question of alternatives to such registration practices, a multi-perspective interdisciplinary approach is required. Such an approach should integrate analyses of legal and administrative practices and question biological, social, and cultural understandings of sex and gender. Although human rights applying to transgender and non-binary persons are increasingly discussed, states’ policies have been restricted to either expanding the male/female definitions or adding a ‘third box’. Gender registration affects all citizens of all genders and thus becomes a question of global justice. This panel encourages explorations of the possibilities for abolishing sex registration and how possible injustices and human rights violations may inadvertently result from such abolishment.

The panel welcomes papers that draw upon gender-, queer-, legal- and political sociology and sociology of the body on a range of topics, including (but not limited to) the following themes:

–          Relationships between gender identity registration and global justice;

–          Aspects of human rights and groups affected by the existence/abolishment of gender registration;

–          Effects of gender registration/categorization on the life of citizens.