So-called gender ideology wars are being waged around the globe. In this Queer@King's event, Dr Scott Skinner-Thompson (University of Colorado) situates claims that recognition of transgender rights involves the advance of a left-wing gender ideology against the greater legal/social structure that is cisnormativity, while also explaining how both opponents and proponents of transgender rights overstate certain elements of gender. That is, the presentation will consider what we know (and don’t know) about how gender is constructed, explaining that gender is a product of not one thing (biology or social construction) and instead an amalgam of the two. Finally, the talk will argue that given the interactionist components of gender, law should take a very soft touch when it comes to regulating it, permitting people to discover and articulate their gender with the fewest constraints possible. This event will conclude with a Q&A and discussion, chaired by Professor Andrea Cornwall (King's).

Attendees are invited to pre-read this draft article or a shorter version here.

About the speakers

Scott Skinner-Thompson is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Colorado and an affiliate faculty member in LGBTQ Studies. His current work focuses on the legal construction of gender and legal protections for transgender people, including his article, Identity by Committee, a 2024 recipient of a Dukeminier Award for best LGBTQ law review articles.

Andrea Cornwall is Professor of Global Development & Anthropology, in the Department of International Development at King’s College London. A social anthropologist by training, Cornwall works on questions of rights and justice in relation to gender, sexuality, participation, democracy and development.

Queer@King's wants the university to be a place where queer knowledge is available to everyone. Please consider making a donation through our JustGiving page to help keep our activities free for all.