Gender Without Identity with authors Avgi Saketopoulou and Ann Pellegrini
May 11, 2024
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Psychoanalysts Avgi Saketopoulou and Ann Pellegrini challenge the idea of 'core gender identity' and argue that all genders and sexualities are shaped by complex processes, not innate. They discuss how trauma can lead to growth and transformation in queer and trans identities, emphasizing that trauma does not make individuals 'broken'.
Gender and sexuality are products of intricate processes, not solely innate traits.
Trauma can serve as a catalyst for growth and transformation in gender identity.
The discussion advocates for nuanced understanding of gender, rejecting fixed identities for fluid expressions.
Deep dives
Complexity of Gender and Identity Formation
Gender and sexuality, whether queer, straight, trans, non-binary, or cis, are depicted as products of intricate psychic and social processes rather than solely innate traits. The concept of core gender identity or the Born This Way argument is critiqued as overly simplistic or problematic by Pellegrini and Poulou, who suggest that development events, including traumas, influence gender and sexuality formation. They advocate for embracing complexity in understanding these aspects, emphasizing that trauma can serve as a catalyst for transformation and growth without implying brokenness in trans or queer individuals.
Challenging Misconceptions about Trauma and Gender
Pellegrini and Poulou challenge common assumptions linking trauma and non-normative gender identities by exploring the influence of trauma on gender formation. They reject the idea that trauma inherently leads to being trans or queer, emphasizing individual experiences and the diverse effects of trauma on gender expression. The discussion highlights the agency individuals have in handling trauma, suggesting that trauma can shape gender identity not as a causal factor but as a component that individuals navigate and integrate into their sense of self.
Expanding Notions of Trauma and Gender Transformations
The podcast delves into the relationship between trauma and gender identification, rejecting linear connections between specific traumas and particular gender identities. Instead, trauma is portrayed as a dynamic element that individuals engage with to transform and redefine their gender narratives. Pellegrini and Poulou emphasize the multifaceted nature of trauma's impact, advocating for a nuanced understanding that transcends simplistic cause-and-effect models. The discussion highlights the potential for trauma to spark inventiveness and growth in navigating gender complexities.
Understanding Parental Reactions to Child's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Parents may intend to protect their children but often lack understanding, leading to harmful responses. Some parents, upon learning their child's sexual orientation or gender identity, show lack of acceptance, even threatening to kick them out. This clinical scenario emphasizes the importance of supporting children in exploring their identities without rushing to label them, promoting a healthy and accepting environment that values a child's autonomy.
Challenging the Binary Concept of Gender Identity
The podcast critiques the rigid binary concept of gender identity, highlighting how it limits exploration and self-discovery for individuals. By delving into psychoanalysis and shared experiences, the discussion advocates for a nuanced understanding of gender, rejecting fixed identities in favor of fluid and evolving expressions. Embracing diverse narratives and resisting harmful stereotypes is emphasized as a means to create inclusive therapeutic spaces for all individuals.
This week on the show, Emily speaks with the authors of Gender Without Identity.
Ann Pellegrini and Avgi Saketopoulou are psychoanalysts who have focused their attention on gender and sexual identity. In their work, they have found the notion of a “core gender identity” or the “born this way” argument too simplistic and even problematic. All genders and sexualities, they argue, whether queer, straight, trans, nonbinary, or cis, are the result of complex psychic and social processes.
Their controversial take is that no one’s gender or sexuality is innate.
Pellegrini and Saketopoulou assert that developmental events, even traumas, play an important role in all this. But to say that trauma may sometimes have a share in becoming trans or becoming queer does not mean trans or queer people are “broken.” Rather, they argue that trauma can function as an engine for transformation and growth.
