This article was downloaded by: 10.3.98.104 On: 28 Sep 2021 Access details: subscription number Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG, UK

The Ashgate Research Companion to Queer Theory

Noreen Giffney, Michael ORourke

Why Five Sexes Are Not Enough

Publication details https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/doi/10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 Published online on: 16 Dec 2009

How to cite :- Iain Morland. 16 Dec 2009, Why Five Sexes Are Not Enough from: The Ashgate Research Companion to Queer Theory Routledge Accessed on: 28 Sep 2021 https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/doi/10.4324/9781315613482.ch2

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR DOCUMENT

Full terms and conditions of use: https://www.routledgehandbooks.com/legal-notices/terms

This Document PDF may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproductions, re-distribution, re-selling, loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden.

The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The publisher shall not be liable for an loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 states leading patient activist Cheryl Chase (1998, 214). In this way,this In 214). (1998, Chase Cheryl activist patient leading if states that seems it female, anatomy postsurgical my label ‘intersexed’I as ‘If principle, ‘female’? political not seems to consume the post-surgical individual: ought they to identify,politics as a point of identity of dilemma a sensation, clitoral impaired has which surgery the resent to up grows infant that when be and ‘female’, to genetic a ‘masculine’overlyfor parents and clinicians by perceived is that clitoris a reduce to infant an on and politics’identity performed is surgery when example, For criticises. Bornstein that morally as patients by ‘suffocating the precisely negativeeffects its of one as creates injurious, physically experienced when intersexuality, of management (1997, 16). Building on Bornstein, my starting point in this chapter is that the medical Bornstein has contested what s/he calls ‘the problem of suffocating identity politics’ patient readilydeterminableaseitheronesexortheother. surgery’scounter individual post-surgical a can male or female as a make to claim identify appropriate to refusing by politically only words, surgery.other most genital In injurious to the response be to seems female or male than other identity one’sAccordingly,genitalia. injures intersexed an simply it female; or male as either sex one’s clarify cannot surgery genital view, Holmes’s in Therefore genitals. one might say – but rather a perfect, and perfectly comprehensible, set of intersexed ‘ambiguous’ combination of male and female genitalia – male gonads and a clitoris, that has (for instance) testes and a small phallus without a urethra does not have an genitals’, insists gender theorist Morgan Holmes (2000, 99). Seen in this way, a baby both of genitalia the with intersexuality their eliminated born successfully wasnot ‘I normalisation. medical to capitulation unacceptable an constitutes has infancy in surgery genital that have been removed in childhood. This is because for some patients, the suggestion intersexed calls medicine that parts body the after even intersexed, as identify to bodies that cannot be easily described as either male or for fourth female treatment medical must a of decide recipients whether even unwilling the that or seem would It third, sex? fifth, a or of members as identify to obligation political a have – Do intersexed individuals – those of us born with ‘ambiguous’ sexual characteristics Why Five Sexes Are NotEnough n priet sa o qer hoy tasedr efrac ats Kate artist performance transgender theory, queer on essay pertinent a In ascribe to surgeons the power to create a create powerto the surgeons to ascribe I men and Iain Morland women ; I was born with born was I ; woman by child-sized removing 2

COMPANION RESEARCH ASHGATE body parts’, body intersexed

Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 it transpired to feature a vaginal opening in addition to a phallus) but also that also but phallus) a to addition in opening vaginal a feature The to transpired menstruated. it regularly Suydam that Suydam’s(for Levi wasatypical only body not that election noted later physician puzzled the after discovered was it suffrage, to right his physician’sfor Suydam’sthe hence for to and eyes, maleness vouched, phallus in aConnecticut a of presence the vote Although 20). to 1993a, (Fausto-Sterling election was entitled he whether confirm to order in a by physician examined was male’, than female ‘more be to reputed reportedly was who of history. point starting the from interestingly but parts, body of numeration and language anatomy,the of point starting the from not sexes of number the about argument her advancesHowever, Fausto-Sterling parts. body atypical such have who those of intersexed as identification the seem, would it hence, and – two only represent that terms current the than rather sexes, five describe to terms enough finding of Times the was essay her (1993a), Enough’ cover story of the journal’s Not March/April edition. It are was also printed in the Female and Male Why Sexes: Five the the Sciences, Yorkof in New Academy the of article organ prestigious an published Fausto-Sterling Anne biologist and feminist 1993, In Biology throughHistory explain the intellectual context of that intervention in early-1990s queer theory. intervention into the identity politics of . In the course of my analysis, I’ll also the identitiesthatoughttobeclaimedbythose one’sof anatomy. regarding recommendation polemical advancea I’ll addition, In person’sanatomy,one’sapprehensible of descriptively or identity a of not values, of politics the of matter a is identity an as claims one that sex the that argue will I not. have who those as surgery,well received as have who us of those – genitals atypical with individuals by claimed identities the understanding of way better a values’offers of ‘politics queer a that argue to politics identity of (1997, values’ theory’squeer interrogation of from insights use will politics I chapter this in the Therefore 16). of favour in identities politicised of abandonment opposition, unreasonable this Todismantle male. or female as passing docilely by medicine intersex of critique intersexed), as identifying (by politics needing apparently of position the problem of genital surgery. Such surgery puts them (and me) in the suffocating cogent. it’s necessary to identify as ‘intersexed’, in order for one’s objections to be politically one wishes to voice objections to surgery performed for an intersex condition, then Theory Queer to Companion Research Ashgate The The ‘Five Sexes’ begins by telling the story of Levi Suydam. In 1843 Suydam, 1843 In Suydam. Levi of story the telling by begins Sexes’‘Five The controversial and influential an analysing critically by begin to going am I of symptomatic as Holmes and Chase by statements the seriously very take I on 12 March (1993b). The problem posited by the essay’s title is simply one simply essay’sis the title by posited problem The (1993b). March 12 on at o olw onti i avctn ‘the advocating in Bornstein follow to want I either o lg oes dniy ih n’ sexual one’s with identity one’s align to 34 or ovrey o eiqih h political the relinquish to conversely without atypicalgenitals. Sciences as a description a . Titled ‘The Titled . New York Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 but asamodeofdiscipline’ (1993a,24). embryology, endocrinology, psychology and surgery”] can be read not as progress of this rhetorical strategy, she claims, ‘medical accomplishments [in “biochemistry, intricacy that current medical knowledge and practice fails to recognise. By means history of knowledge sophisticated (1993a, 23). The submerged foil to this key sentence is its implicit claim that a more intricacy’ [sexual] such of repression of the to led complexity has medicine] the [by systems sexual of knowledge sophisticated more a ‘Ironically, that torecent observes beforeattending also human origins’, Fausto-Sterling hand, … other the On 23). (1993a, biomedicine in developments about in stories news. old featured is often itself are ‘Intersexuality she that hand, one reassuringly the states on Hence, intersex. de- to to approaches and for contemporary familiar, biology familiarise intersexuality introduce make to to purposes: history political uses interrelated Fausto-Sterling two that tobiomedicine argue fromhistory I turn a 23). of (1993a, form different slightly the in again once biology.performed to is history manoeuvre from later,the story And Suydam the during manoeuvre Fausto-Sterling’searlier repeats myth’sappearance Greek the (Laqueur 1990,4–5,26). anyway differentiation sexual determine to Greece ancient in weren’tunderstood which – gonads in lesson a story,not love a is Hermaphroditus’stransformation of sure, tale be Tothe embryos. in development sexual of discussion substantial a follows they grow together within the same organ, forming an ovo-testis’ (1993a, 22). There others, in bilaterally; but separately ovarygrow the and testis the hermaphrodites with’ love in (1993a, 22). fell The text he then movesnymph without a segue to of the observation body that ‘In the some true with fused body his when female half and male half became fifteen age at who Hermaphroditus, ‘parented Aphrodite and Hermes recounts, she mythology’, Greek ‘Accordingto Hermaphroditus. of narrative the with surprisingly begins also differentiation sexual embryological of Fausto-Sterling’s exposition stylistic: detailed the beyond significance a has it that history,through biology to suggests afterwards,turning which shortly repeated is of structure, this And point. this will at appearance first I their make – which below to return to terms – pseudohermaphrodite’ ‘male and ’ ‘true pseudohermaphrodite’, ‘female terms medical the and Testes,ovaries intersex. of biology the introduces Fausto-Sterling that sexes, two only of Westerncultures in her essay’s argument. to critical become will that ‘first’ – perceived has been what valuationbeyond requires complexity sexual specifically – complexity on emphasis this discover, will we As 20). (1993a, suspected’ first was than complex more were predispositions mental his/her and physique his/her ‘Both that: Suydam of comment to Sterling pieces of cloth, wrote the doctor (Epstein 1990, 119). These revelations lead Fausto- (1993a, 20). In particular, Suydam enjoyed ‘comparing and placing … together’ the calico’of pieces ‘for fondness a example, for propensities’: ‘feminine had Suydam I propose a better way of understanding the mythic story’s placement. Structurally, It is not until after Suydam, and a brief discussion about the legal accommodation rahoiu hs oia rlvne o re emprdts But hermaphrodites. true to relevance nominal has Hermaphroditus will 35 allow recognition of precisely the sexual the precisely of recognition allow Why Five Sexes Are Not Enough Not Are Sexes Five Why Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 sex system are exposed. Such is Fausto-Sterling’s hope. Her essay has this revelatory ‘seen’differently, McKenna’s and Kessler use to two- a of shortcomings The terms. Sterling repeatedlyinthe‘Five Sexes’,itishistory. of much in Butler like commentators, some For naturalisation. of appearance effected own its place by the exposé that the sexed body is, in fact, always different from itself, from theory queer take would in body the theory’sof queer denaturalisation debate brief, in 1990s; the for during topic central a become rapidly would materiality of others and Butler by reformulation This 2). effect’productive (1993, power’s most as power, of effect the as rethought be will materiality but material, fully be will movements, its contours, body, its the of fixity the constitutes ‘what Sexes’, ‘Five in say would Butler as Moreover, 163). differences’ (1978, social and psychological, biological, of Suzanne “discovery” the to scientists feminist As context. leads twogenders of seeing ‘Our 1978, in Wendyit and put Kessler had McKenna social non-biological its through only accessed or described be can body the widely): published previously had Sterling 243) but also enacts an essential tenet of feminist science studies (on which Fausto- ‘Two sexes are not the necessary, natural consequence of corporeal difference’ (1990, (1993), whichappearedinthesameyear asFausto-Sterling’s paper. Butler’sJudith animates that concern a is it and ‘FiveSexes’, the Thomas of insight principal a This was 20–23). (1993a, itself biology sexual and of classification perception the on culture of influence irreducible the emphasise to serves – mentioned all are Ages Middle the in Europe and law of books Jewish the Plato, scholarship, Biblical early America, nineteenth-century Greece, ancient – histories structural prioritisation recurrent over Fausto-Sterling’sthe discourse unfamiliar, of biology of treatment an eclectic medicalrange of intersex making to addition In On Difference identity ‘intersexed.’ of discipline’, which disregards (or ‘represses’) the sexual intricacy denoted by the medical treatment one’swould follow from that identification of – namely that treatment is appropriateness a ‘mode then the ‘intersexed’, regarding standpoint as political conclusively particular identify a to individual an for possible were in it only if that diversity is axiom this of personalisation sexual The characteristics. individuals sex atypical of with present of the in treatment acknowledgement objectionable the illuminate our will history that indicates Fausto-Sterling unfamiliar, intersex of treatment medical contemporary the making concurrently while – humanity of story the of root very the at located – familiar intersexuality Theory Queer to Companion Research Ashgate The In this regard, the ‘Fivethe regard, this Sexes’In Laqueur’sfollows only not essay that contention make to striving By act. political a is intersex describing that then, appears, It So in one sense, when biology is read through history, the gendered body is body gendered the history, through read is biology when sense, one in So Laqueur’smonograph historical Bodies , the locus of such difference is power; for others, like Fausto- like others, for power; is difference such of locus the , Bodies 36 nine months after the publication of the of publication the after months nine Making Sex Making , published three yearsbefore three published , Bodies That Matter That Bodies

Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 h pooe sbrus rvd o e s otniu a te wr audacious. were the they in ‘maddening’ as contentious as as Denounced be to proved subgroups proposed the but incontestability, of innocuously compressed to‘herms’),two adventurous is newlabels–‘merms’ rhetoric and‘ferms’. hermaphrodites’ (‘true their abbreviation through borrow initially adds, to then order ‘the standard in it calls literature’) (which medical difference sexual of accounts biological orthodox mimes it because remarkable is strategy identifies The then subgroups’. major and term’s‘three intersex, the term, umbrella an to readers introduces article the with (taxonomy) textbook, biology a were it features if (anatomy). themselvesAs features the of for knowledge names the of knowledge together fold to order in excerpt, Fausto-Sterling’s language employs the conventions of biology instruction There are no new sexes yet. The tone is taxonomic, the discourse anatomical. In this not ‘are the creationofcategoriestoaccommodatethissexualcomplexity: female and about male claim Fausto-Sterling’s central then Consider terms all. after located are the enough’, which for characteristics, sexual intricate the that biology of level the on therefore, perhaps, is It 24). (1993a, for subtleties’ its ‘celebrated be would sexuality future, ideal an in that hopes Fausto-Sterling that diverse’ ‘so are which they are detectible only through exploratory surgery (1993a, 22). Correspondingly, conditions, intersex within and between and subtleties’ ‘contrasts reports she Similarly, predispositions’. ‘mental and ‘physique’ form of the takes complexity such Suydam, of case the in which complexity, – history a sexual from distinct is difference, of kind a posits also Fausto-Sterling Yet Fausto-Sterling’s Herminology nor inevitable neither is dimorphism universal: inthisfashion,the‘Five Sexes’,historyisdifference. that disclose to history employs Sterling universala structure’ Herdt’swith consonance In 80). 11, (1996, anthology, Fausto- persecuted’Westernin eveninevitable, cultures not is dimorphism ‘sexual though ‘the and stigmatised fit ‘marginalised, been female’have and not male categories sex/gender do who people that laments Herdt volume, that to introduction and anthology with common in aim Proof positive that for Fausto-Sterling describing intersex is a political pursuit, political a is intersex describing Fausto-Sterling for that positive Proof male genitaliabutlacktestes.(1993a,21) pseudohermaphrodites (the ‘ferms’), who have ovaries and some aspects of the female the and ovaries; no but genitalia female the of aspects some and testes have who ‘merms’), (the pseudohermaphrodites male the …; ovary one and testis one possess who herms, call I hermaphrodites,whom true so-called the three major subgroups with some for mixture of male and female characteristics: catch-all a as intersex term the uses literature medical standard the … Third Sex, Gilbert rts noaie itrcl n anthropological and historical innovative Herdt’s , which too was completed in 1993. In his preface e Yr Times York New 37 Why Five Sexes Are Not Enough Not Are Sexes Five Why y h Ctoi Lau for League Catholic the by Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 from whichit to said anatomy,is of continuum this the language the than in rather values of vocabulary later the in Expressed 22). cautions (1993a, essay Fausto-Sterling practice’, clinical in encountered anatomy subgroups. ‘No classification scheme could more than suggest the variety of sexual and categories of taxonomy biological the to resistant radically diversity sexual a language of rights. The proposal of a sexual continuum is a call for the valuation of the in again located is instead but – array malleable’ ‘infinitely inexpressibly this of presented is evidence direct no because – continuum’sfacticity the in situated not is statement’sforce her descriptive, be to initially seem might continuum a is of theconstraints sex that defies declaration the Although 21). that (1993a, continues she continuum categories’, five even malleable infinitely vast, further a argue is would sex ‘I that credit. similar warrants intersexuality, beyond general, also exceeds,thesexes’ accommodationinthe descriptive languageof biology. sexes havenon-binary motivates,recognised. Thisright be to right intrinsic an but because only political is biology valuesintersex of of description the that indicates fiveproposes she where point the precisely at Fausto-Sterling’sthat sexes, rhetoric is difference The project. political inherently an is biology intersex describing that significantly different to Fausto-Sterling’s assumption, which I have explored above, Because of this right, it would be politically wrong not to acknowledge a sex. This is scientific and rigour, completeness a sex, scholarly on the of other hand, apparently sake deserves the the for acknowledged be to subgroup a ought Whereas values. of rhetoric the to move a with consubstantiality its erroneous, butasaschema‘in factually merely not as Fausto-Sterling by berated therefore is system two-sex A here ferms and merms Herms, values. of language taxonomic the in forward its put is subgroups, to sexual concerning precursor contrast marked in assertion, This 21). (1993a, right’ own its in each sexes individual considered be to deserve ferm, and merm herm, , three the that suggest ‘I Fausto-Sterling’sdescription: of biological from tenor departs strikingly the argument sexes, five reality in are there that proposal the to in making the controversial leap from the identification of ‘three major subgroups’ because the proposition of five sexes requires language that isis notthis simplythat history.argue biological; by I unravelled been has sexes, to vouchfor two just of existence the haveimagined might readers which ofbiology, authority the after herms are themselves sexes (2000b, 79). This proposition of five sexes emerges only and ferms merms, the that proposes nerve’,she a struck … ‘clearly conceded later Bird, Lambda Literary Foundation. Nevertheless, one correspondent to the in and novel, ‘fems’ 1995 ‘herms’ her ‘mems’, become to Scott Melissa writer by adapted was – herminology a – Fausto-Sterling’sterminology (1995), Rights Civil and Religious Theory Queer to Companion Research Ashgate The Moreover, for Fausto-Sterling the extent and variety of sexual difference in difference sexual of variety and extent the Fausto-Sterling for Moreover, essay’sthe for that notable suggesting is five-sexam system a I moveto critical Fausto-Sterling which and bizarre’, ‘truly calls Bird that manoeuvre a in Next,

savaged Fausto-Sterling’s proposalsas‘deranged’ (1993,3). deserves Shadow Man Shadow the right , which won a queer science fiction award from the from award fiction science queer a won which , tobefree. defiance deserve ofnature’ (1993a,21;myitalics). defy to be considered sexes, each sexes, considered be to 38 the constraints right of even a five-sex system five-sex a even of to acknowledgement. in its own right own its in Sciences , R.P . . Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 to love: the activities of ordinary social relations involve boundary crossing when crossing involveboundary relations social ordinary of activities the love: to 1990 Epstein’s Julia commentary on to sexual ambiguity according in the hand, journal other the On vote. to allowed been have not would he for too, disadvantage political a at him placed have would it case, Suydam’sIn disadvantage. economic and social a at oneself put to be would pass passes person intersexed because their intersexuality is neither socially nor economically sanctioned. Not to an view, this In 79). (1996, roles’ reproductive dimorphic sanctions and commonly ideas power that suggests gender and sex third of an of significance the characterising intersexed person’s of passing. ways exclusive mutually two are there then description), accurate an permit to enough’ ‘not is that system two-sex a (in between a person’s intersex biology, and the way that person’s biology is described discrepancy a of instance Suydam’san understands merely one as If passing etc.). etc.), and one’s identity as a member of a sex (male, female, hermaphrodite, ‘merm’, correspondence between the identification of one’s genitalia (penis, vagina, clitoris, descriptivea of possibility the presumes it because ask, to question of kind wrong privilege. male obtain to and male as pass to order in mistake, a make to physician Connecticut the allowed simply Suydam Whig vote –byfindingpolitico-legalaccommodationwithinatwo-sex system. a casting of – aim his accomplished Suydam that shows Actually,story sexes. the that obvious not five of recognition is the for Fausto-Sterling’scall upon bear it should Suydam’sstory However disposition. mental and physique Suydam’s of complexity the to opposition in up set ‘idea’hereby sex is binary the of crudeness The sexes. two to commitment a of unfairness the demonstrates it that reason the are only two sexes’ (1993a, 20). The statement frames Suydam’s story as notable for ‘Westernthat Fausto-Sterling by there that idea the to committed deeply is culture binary sex:LeviSuydam. did who person a of story the revisit to need we taxonomic), repressively are too sexes five that admission an of form would dovetail with the redundancy of descriptive language about intersex (in the enough’not are female and ‘male why articulating of project the why Toexplain Politics ofPassing also demonstratesintriguinglysuchasystem’s redundancy. it system, five-sex a for need the about says essay Fausto-Sterling’spivotal what within containment embryology and sexology. She is using exhortative language to contest the enforced required’, On the one hand, ‘When someone is discredited, a degree of hiding is always is hiding of degree a discredited, is someone ‘When hand, one the On whether is story historical the by raised be to seems that question the Certainly assertion an is Sexes’‘Five the in Suydam of story the following Immediately To recapitulate, Fausto-Sterling is doing more than pointing out factual errors in Herdt writes in any taxonomic discourse of sexual diversity.sexual of discourse taxonomic to addition in So, Third Sex , ‘and the fact that passing occurs in many instances not 39 Why Five Sexes Are Not Enough Not Are Sexes Five Why describe himself as a member of a non- a of member a as himself describe want to argue, though, that this is the is this that though, argue, wantto I Genders , ‘To marry, to vote, to teach, Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 oes Teeoe t s o te ae ht h pyiin ut sd h wog term wrong the used just physician the that case the not is it Therefore lovers.and families their among privately or communities, their within claim they that sexual when Likewise, dissidents pass private.in public, they in do not thus automatically negate the it sexualities else; and to sexes something referred have as may but Suydam male indeed, nor female neither as described be could anatomy twentieth late century) ‘disciplining’ the ofintersexedbodies. (in medical and time) Suydam’s (in social the by precipitated politics’ identity ‘suffocating the of, symptom a but from, escape an not is system member of a a third, as fourth identifying or fifthIf sextime. can leadsame tothe disenfranchisement, thenat all a five-sex for, searched strenuously yet and hidden position of intersexuality – subversivecultural and subverted, transgressive contradictory and regulated, the of measure a but argument, her in contradiction a not is turnaround curious That sexes. five of proposal the retracts and advances both as certain ‘femininepropensities’ andenjoyingcalico. be recognised as a man within the public sphere, while simultaneously embodying Suydam’s favour, because it enabled him to claim the male right to suffrage, and to is arguably the case that, on an individualistic level, the two-sex system worked in identifying and sexes, two than more of existence the describing between difference the make: not does Fausto-Sterling his politicalparticipationinnineteenth-centuryhistory. than less nothing possible made physician local That the by male 20). classed was Suydam (1993a, Fausto-Sterling records one’, of majority a by election the won Whigs the column their in safely Suydam ‘With man. a as identified be to content seems, it was, canny. Similarly, Suydam simply being often are they violence, of threat the of face the In acquiescent. and apolitical become robotically not do they gender. When sexually dissident individuals pass as non-gay or non-transgendered, and sexuality concerning prescriptions dominant to capitulation of matter a not is in hir novel showed Feinberg Leslie As non-transgendered. be to others by perceived if safer violence, so too are transgendered individuals in transphobic environments usually attention to their sexuality in non-gay public spaces, in order to avoid homophobic drawing avoid to individuals gay for sensible often is it as just example, For sex. it automatically lead an individual to identify as a member of a third, fourth or fifth described by the labels ‘male’ and ‘female’ is neither necessarily subversive, nor does power sexual subverting and illuminating relations byeven theirsmallestactofpassing. hero, transgressive a is passes who it’in neatly participate cannot view,latter this In 124). (1990, person intersexed the highlight the privilege differential between male and female precisely because they ‘Social boundaries depend on difference and hierarchy’; therefore ‘Hermaphrodites continues, Epstein as because, is individuals.’This [intersexed] these by practiced Theory Queer to Companion Research Ashgate The intersexed, I think we can appreciate the curious way in which Fausto-Sterling which in way curious the appreciate can we think I intersexed, To draw together the threads of my analysis so far, it might be true that Suydam’s Having made explicit this difference between identifying intersex and identifying which distinction crucial a thematises Suydam’sstory that shows analysis My adequately be cannot that body a in live To reductive. are views these Both Stone Butch Blues (2003) – published, like the ‘Five Sexes’, in 1993 – this as a member of a non-binary sex category.sex non-binary a It of member a 40 Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 hs’ pit n e lte, ih hc I ge, s ht h ise facedbypost- issue the that is Iagree, as asex evensurgical intersexedindividuals isoneofidentifying meeting without which with letter, her in But man. point Chase’sa as describable be to ceased be individual to an need before removed would ‘man’surgically identity essentialist the by described parts body the of individual’s attributesandidentity. surgery genital clitoris, the as such tampers with the descriptive correlation that essentialism presupposes parts between an body of removal its In impossibility. bitter a is essence bodily sexed a presupposes that identity an – it puts Chase as – parts’ body of return the for vainly ‘wishing left patients, post-surgical many For immensely destructive of sexual sensation as well as one’s sense of bodily integrity.’ ‘Unfortunately, is letter, discloses, intersex] her Chase [for In surgery 3). the (1993, group advocacy patient intersex foremost the become has which (ISNA), America follow-up Chase’s by the out to letter borne are concerns Her diversity. sexual of medicine incorrect. For descriptively simply are fantasies such account, essentialist 42).an in fantasies; sexual (2000, entails essentialism that example, essentialism pleasure can’t explain the and significance of cross-gender identification in sexuality on limitations by queer theorists of essentialist models of identity have centred upon the perceived identity (such as the woman). Lance by and Tanesinidescribed note chromosomes) that the XX reasons for the of rejection possession the as (such criteria the match not does individual the because false, is former the then individual, an in present not are latter the if refers; it which to experiences and attributes the than less nor an view, essentialist this In identity is a description. Consequently, 1979). a correctly claimed identity is neither more Raymond 64–74; 1999, (Greer chromosomes XX of possession the and girl’schildhood, a as such parts, body and experiences certain to linked ‘woman’essentially identity and the necessarily Raymond is and Greer for because women not are transsexuals male-to-female that proposed have character or body. For instance, feminists like Germaine Greer and Janice Raymond motivatedis and with, correlates identity social by, person’s a of aspect fixed some person’s a that presumes Essentialism 42). (2000, essences’ presuppose identities that argument tiresome, now by and tired, ‘the reject Tanesini and Lance Butler, of identity claims. Along with other queer theorists such as Alan Sinfield andunderstanding Judith non-descriptive a for argued Tanesinihave Alessandra and Lance Norris Mark Politics’, Queer Judgements, ‘Identity titled paper, important an In Identities asEvaluative description atall,butofsociallysituatedvalues. of matter a not is identity an as claims one that sex the that be will chapter this of – ‘male’ – to identify publicly Suydam’s sex. Rather, my contention in the next part For instance, intersex surgery raises for essentialism the question of how many how of question the essentialism for raises surgery intersex instance, For by in reining the to objects Fausto-Sterling seen, have we as manner, like In Sciences , wherein Chase boldly founded the Intersex Society of North of Society Intersex the founded boldly Chase wherein , 41 Why Five Sexes Are Not Enough Not Are Sexes Five Why Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2  commitment. behavioural and attitudinal speaker’s the for others alsoinvites from and, crucially, respect pork), noteating of course, (including, attitudes and a biological aetiology does not make her refusal a matter of identity. Conversely, ‘I’m such claim. a woman who declines pork because she does not like its flavour is not making any 42–3). Theclaimisnotadescription. (2000, construction social by produced trait character a nor constitution, biological individual’san of aspect an neither describes ‘Muslim’, as such claim, he identity an that indicating neither way, this flavour. In its is dislike to happens he he that nor pork, doing, eat cannot physically so In ‘Muslim’. identity the claiming is kitchen the from arrives pork the Muslim’‘I’mwhen a says, dinner who guest The the table. at guests to offered being is pork that imagine us let example, this of someone to pork who dislikes it and to serving a practising Muslim’ knowingly (2000, 44). of significance the in difference of world a a particularevaluative commitment,whichinturnplacesademanduponothers. one is offering to others not a description of the identity, but rather actively making one when but andjudgements– attitudes, behaviours terms of and Tanesini submit (2000, 47). Lance Put another appropriateness’, way,their andof one’sdefend oneself to identity can commitment of be described a – part in undertake to the society,and on judgements and behaviours endorse attitudes, to of is oneself cluster for a identity an claim to view our ‘In values. of politics the of instance an actively and principally is claim a such words, other In evaluative. one doing–socially, politically–whenonemakessuchaclaim? fromthe ‘Five Sexes’ the of description of intersex to the significance of identifying as a particular mydiscussion sex. What is in advocated I’ve that the shift onto analytic maps gay) and straight as (such identities sexual regarding distinction identity of importance the about questions ‘that hold they atypicalsex Instead, 42). be’(2000, might identities sexual with byindividuals intersexuality,Tanesini‘what for and asking apt Lance from is that refrain It then, asserted the identities essentialism. of of refusal its in account moreover,queerer be, a will This anatomies. account better a this isessentialism’s problem,notHawbecker’s. identity,male robust and Hawbecker’sdescriptivelywry wrong. is it that And say to than other explain cannot Essentialism 113). 1999, (Hawbecker either”’ much don’t,I “No him, tell and actually,laugh to them missed really havenot I then but has written, ‘when a male friend says, “Hale, you have balls”. I have been tempted essentialism’s descriptive criteria. ‘I get a kick out of it’, intersexual Theory Queer to Companion Research Ashgate The Muslim’evaluativean is that statement Whilst the Muslim who refuses pork at the dinner table makes an identity claim, is ‘There and Tanesini: byLance offered vignette a consider this, explain To is claim identity an that is Tanesini and Lance by forward put idea key The By understanding identity as a matter of the politics of values, we can formulate socialism andmotherhood. h floig icsin lo dps ac ad aeiis xmls f c cream, ice of examples Tanesini’s and Lance adapts also discussion following The Moreover, even if the dislike of pork that she describes is biological, its claims offer a better starting point’ (2000, 42). Their queer Their 42). (2000, point’ starting better a offer 42 commits its speaker to certain behaviours certain to speaker its  To understand the relevance claims Hale that identity,that Hawbecker Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 ugr, t ol as eal priiain n sbutr (uh s patient a as (such subculture a in participation enable also could genital it childhood to surgery, lead could minority sexual a of member a as identification although So 19). eyes’(2000a, very our before materialising are ‘Intersexuals that commenting ISNA, and Chase Cheryl with but biology nor history in the neither with sexes five of idea the to return would Sterling gay, lesbian, or a third, fourth or fifth sex. Corroborating this, when in 2000 Fausto- of discussion a to route a opens it because descriptivism, Fausto-Sterling’sfaltering from forward way a values’offers of ‘politics This correspondence. descriptive of politics is, through and through, a matter of values – both personal and social – not a personpasses. why is that And violence. of threat under sometimes – explanation an necessitate to tends but possible, is values attitudinal and behavioural passes. such from person Divergence a how is This claim. identity that with associated behaviours the of a sex, one places oneself under the obligation to act in a manner consonant with sex-specific treatment by others, and symmetrically, that by identifying as a member basis, her pre-operative biology, but rather of the female identity that she claims. On this of recognition social the seek not does instance, for woman, transsexual operative one’sanatomy.pre- Aof descriptive not are sex particular a of be to claims how and legal social, the Similarly, calico. of pre-operativemedical endorsementpursuedby transsexualindividualsillustrates liking his for or genitalia, his for not – identity male his for recognition legal sought Suydam Levi manner. same the in language aboutidentityisproperlydescriptive. their whether claimant’sof its determination integrity,of the evaluation not the is identity claim in this way constitutes a commitment, so the measure of its accuracy The deficiency in that scenario is thus not descriptive but moral – even spiritual. An ‘Muslim’identity the claims wasMuslim. one a that not simply would quite mean one when endorses one that commitments the to counter act to But claim. identity to her defend her tastes, expect because the public not expression of her wouldtastes does not weconstitute an gammon, loves pork roast dislikes who woman the that learn to surprised be might we although is contrast, in description that, given fact the a by shown match to failure individual’s an of matter a merely not is claimed erroneously, been has identity the identity’sclaimant, the from absent wholly are judgements Hence, where the identity claim Muslim is claimed identity but Muslim attitudes, an behaviours and that suggesting am I because chosen, arbitrarily not is code moral a with claim identity an of comparison My fashion. code itself is not a description of behaviour, but an exhortation to behave in a certain itself descriptive, butactively evaluative. described be course (otherwise the of vignette of the Muslim couldcan not be offered), anclaim identity claim is not identity an although that shows example This why What I’m arguing, then, is that the relation between one’s identity and one’s and identity one’s between relation the that is then, arguing, I’m What Counterintuitive as it may seem, I say that identity claims about one’s sex work In exactly the same way, a moral code is eminently describable, even though the I suggest that the claim to be a particular sex functions as an endorsement of people would identify publicly as belonging to a sexual minority – whether and for specifically moral reasons 43 Why Five Sexes Are Not Enough Not Are Sexes Five Why . That this error of identification Sciences is tp o mrl code. moral of type a se ol begin would she , Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 the problem for the solution. Rather, it is specifically unwanted genital surgery genital unwanted specifically is it Rather, solution. the for problem the of part mistake would That accommodation. its for categories sex additional only requiring describable, principle in remain would intersex then case, the were that my as not occur just because there aren’t enough terms to denote intersexed anatomies. If Further, individuals. intersexed discussion of Suydam and thatIcriticised Fausto-Sterling indicated, disenfranchises such disenfranchisement does descriptivism ofidentity morally above, accounts is the essentialist it And underpinning system. value In deficient. a itself is identity, about language evaluative descriptivism itself. one’sendorse andperpetuate access to unjustprivileges.Oneoftheseprivilegesis they because appropriate, be ‘female’cannot ‘male’and claims identity the ways, evaluative an endorsement is of a sex way particular of being a treated, and of of one’sbe to entitlement claim to behave identity in an certain that extent the To 51). 49– (2000, ‘straight’ identity have the who refuse diversity,should and gay,sexual to not commitment a are who people privilege’, of trappings the are straight as positioning a of markers social primary ‘The because that argue Tanesini and sex. and gender of notions essentialist destabilises allegedly postmodernity how of awareness an simply not identities, female and (1994, 226). But I am advocating a deliberate repudiation on moral grounds of male because genders and sexes are always already transposable, transitional and strange argument that the postmodern fictitiousness of gender makes everyone transsexual, by unfixingtheterms’ descriptive force. identify as male or female would change to the values refusal associated with majority.Their those identities non-intersexed the by but anatomies, sex atypical with people by not borne be to ought problem this of burden the that propose to want I endorse. actively ‘male’ and ‘female’ identities the that values particular the of the use of the terms ‘female’ or ‘male’ to name unusual bodies – instead, it’s because my Yetanalysis has shown that received.this problem is not havecaused by a descriptive weshortcoming in that discipline’) of ‘mode a called has Fausto-Sterling (which surgery normalising the endorse to tacitly appear identities such because seems politically inadequate for those of us who object to our ‘male’‘female’or either surgical as management, identify to that suggested I chapter, this of start the At Descriptivism asPrivilege non- even reasons, moral and political for intersexed individualsshouldclaimtheidentity‘intersexed’. that contending by conclude will I claims do not merely reflect but identity Because essence. or biology same the having subculture the in everyone on depend not does goal that Raymond, and Greer to contrary Significantly, and one’sminority.for rights claiming of goal the around organised group) advocacy Theory Queer to Companion Research Ashgate The age ht ecitvs, a fo sadn i vlefe opsto to opposition value-free in standing from far descriptivism, that argue I Halberstam’s Judith theorist film and literary to akin seem may proposal My are what 44 Kate Bornstein calls the politics of values, or comparable reasons, comparable For Lance Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 that ‘It would be better for intersexuals and their supporters to turn everyone’sthe life everyday to in that correct is Kessler If genitals’22). from away(2000a, focus supporters and their intersexuals for better be would ‘It that life. Writing again in the clothes’ in everyday the precedence under takes flesh that the of configuration the is that gender ‘the is it 1990s, the of half first the during According to Kessler, in a remark that captures queer theory’s dramaturgic everyday world gender attributions are made without access to genital inspection’. Fausto-Sterling’s proposal of five sexes. Fausto-Sterling’s project ‘ignores that in the but to converse directly are that goal, means by achievement its worthwhilefor importantly argues she a is intersex of valuation positive the that Fausto-Sterling the to of repudiation the via those identityclaimsthatreinforceit. devalued, be should descriptivism so intersex, devalues Descriptivism treatment. intersex to peculiar is that descriptivism of injustice the to feminism) by (critiqued women and men between inequalities the from focus non- that recommendation intersex individuals should relinquish my the identity claims ‘male’ and ‘female’ feminism, shifts from of politics purposes the intersex For individuals justice. distinguishing social of to prerequisite be description to female the or male consider either as they because anti-feminist, as politics politics. intersex and feminist between overlap necessary no is there demonstrate, Raymond and Greer of writings the as male privilege’ (1994, 74). I appreciate the feminist value of Bornstein’s insight, but Sexes’, that a person who identifies as ‘male’ or ‘female’ perpetuates ‘the violence of ‘Five the individuals. following year the in Bornstein’s made from different point, intersexed Now,is this disenfranchises that descriptivism the to commitment a constitute they because indefensible morally are anatomies, non-intersexed with into one’s bodybygenitalsurgery. inscribed objectionably so been has that an descriptivism the of reiteration is unwitting it because perilous, seems description any place; first the in identifications can it and desires that their describe to how over uncertain irrevocably is individual an render surgery intersex of problem The acknowledgement. social merely require which and individual, trans the to knowable are that in identifications and individual the of identifications way and injurious present. desires the physically the and to morally prior irreparably a is in that surgery by fractured one’s identify been to has ability sex the because politics, transsexual and transgender from of one’s pre-surgicalsexseemspoliticallynecessary. of one’s surgically modified sexual anatomy seems right, even though a description where position ourselves unreasonable find the beginning, in the at stated I as individuals, post-surgical because is This anatomies. sex unusual with people for disenfranchising agonisingly be to identity of accounts descriptivist of dominance cultural the causes that – describable genitals making of aim its with – Finally, if my suggestion seems impractical, consider Suzanne Kessler’s letter Kessler’s Suzanne consider impractical, seems suggestion my Finally,if people by made when ‘female’, and ‘male’ claims identity the Consequently, politics intersex distinguishes fundamentally that position dilemmatic this is It Sciences n contrast, trans politics tends to centre on the realisation of desires of realisation the on centre to tends politics trans contrast, In , written ,

in response to Fausto-Sterling (1993, 3). Kessler agrees with agrees Kessler 3). (1993, Fausto-Sterling to response in Sciences in 2000, Fausto-Sterling would agree with Kessler 45 de, oe eiit rgr intersex regard feminists some Indeed, Why Five Sexes Are Not Enough Not Are Sexes Five Why performed , regardless of regardless , no description zeitgeist Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 ―― (2000a),‘TheFive Sexes,Revisited’, Not Are Female ―― (1993b),‘HowManySexes Are There?’, and Male Why Sexes: Five ‘The (1993a), A. Fausto-Sterling, Epstein, J. (1990), ‘Either/Or – Neither/Both: Sexual Ambiguity and the Ideology of (ed.), D.Atkins in Reason’, ‘Affronting (1998), ―― Chase, C.(1993),Letter, Advertisement, (1995), Rights Civil and Religious for League Catholic (1993), J. Butler, ―― (1997), ‘Queer Theory and Shopping: Dichotomy or Symbionts?’, in C. Queen (1994), K. Bornstein, Bird, R.P. (1993),Letter, References (2003), S.E. Preves, the and Studies Science Feminist Intersex: of Injustice ‘The (2005), I. Morland, (1998), S.J. Kessler, (2000), A. Fausto-Sterling, Chase, C. and Hegarty, P. (2005), ‘Intersex Activism, Feminism and Psychology’, in Suggested FurtherReading – passasintersexed. should think, I and – ‘female’can ‘male’or as currently identify who people that intersexed people (like Suydam) can pass as that ‘male’means or certainly ‘female’. But this it means then equally genitalia, not performance, gender on is emphasis Theory Queer to Companion Research Ashgate The Enough’, Gender’, Harrington P and Identity in Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender Communities Transgender and Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, in Identity and Times Routledge). Sexuality (eds), Schimel L. and Routledge). Rutgers University Press). Writing ofaWrong’, University Press). Sexuality I. Morlandand A. Willox (eds), 3September, D11. (SanFrancisco,CA:Cleis). (NewYork: Basic). Genders Sciences ark Press). Bodies That Matter: On the Discursive Limits of‘Sex’ Limits Discursive the On Matter: That Bodies 7,99–142. nesx n Iett: h Cnetd Self Contested The Identity: and Intersex March–April, 20–25. Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us of Rest the and Women Men, On Outlaw: Gender esn fo te Intersexed the from Lessons Sciences Sciences Studies inLaw, Politics,andSociety ooeul: hlegn Asmtos bu Gne and Gender about Assumptions Challenging PoMoSexuals: eig h Bd: edr oiis n te osrcin of Construction the and Politics Gender Body: the Sexing July–August,3. July–August,3. Queer Theory 46 Sciences New York Times (Basingstoke:Palgrave). July–August2000:18–23. Nw rnwc, J Rutgers NJ: Brunswick, (New okn Qer Bd Image Body Queer: Looking 36, 53–75. Nw rnwc, NJ: Brunswick, (New 12 March, A29. (New York: (New (London: (London: e York New Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 Scott, M.(1995), Raymond, J. (1979), Laqueur, T. (1990), Politics’, Queer Judgements, Tanesini,‘Identity and (2000), M.N. A. Lance, ―― and McKenna, W. (1978), Kessler, S.J.(1993),Letter, Meeker M. and Dupuis M. Boone, J.A. in Bodies’, Cut ‘Queer (2000), M. Holmes, (ed.), Herdt G. in ‘Introduction’, and ‘Preface’ (1996), G. Herdt, (ed.), Dreger Domurat A. in You?”’, to This Did ‘“Who (1999), H. Hawbecker, (ed.), Doan L. in Masculinity’, Female of Making The ‘F2M: (1994), J. Halberstam, Greer, G.(1999), Feinberg, L.(2003), (2000b), ―― Beacon). MA: Harvard University Press). Philosophy Wiley-Interscience). WI: University ofWisconsin Press). (eds), Gender: Intersex intheAgeofEthics The LesbianPostmodern Y ork: Basic). Queer Frontiers: Millennial Geographies, Genders, and Generations and Genders, Frontiers:Geographies, Queer Millennial

Beyond SexualDimorphisminCulture andHistory Sexing the Body: Gender Politics and the Construction of Sexuality of Construction the and Politics Gender Body: the Sexing 100, 42–51. Shadow Man The WholeWoman Making Sex: Body and Gender from the Greeks to Freud Stone ButchBlues The Transsexual Empire: The Making of the She-Male (NewYork: ColumbiaUniversity Press). Sciences (NewYork: Tom Doherty) (Hagerstown,MD:University PublishingGroup). Gender: An Ethnomethodological Approach July–August,3. (London:Doubleday). (Los Angeles, CA: Alyson). 47 Why Five Sexes Are Not Enough Not Are Sexes Five Why (NewYork: Zone). hr Sx Third Sex, Third (Boston, MA: (Cambridge, (New York: (Madison, Radical (New Downloaded By: 10.3.98.104 At: 03:52 28 Sep 2021; For: 9781315613482, chapter2, 10.4324/9781315613482.ch2 This pagehasbeenleftblankintentionally