Sex Is as Sex Does: Governing Transgender Identity

The book "Sex Is as Sex Does" explores the flawed system of sex classification in the United States, which fails transgender and non-binary people. It provides examples from different states, government agencies, and court cases and shows how transgender people struggle to navigate this confusing and contradictory web of legal rules, definitions, and classifications. The book reveals the hidden logics that have governed sex classification policies and shows what the regulation of transgender identity can tell us about society's approach to sex and gender writ large.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

The fight for transgender rights has shed light on the complex relationship between government power, regulations, and the law. In the United States, every government agency, from Homeland Security to Departments of Motor Vehicles, has the authority to establish its own rules for sex classification. This can lead to transgender individuals facing contradictory sex classifications on different documents, depending on their state, jurisdiction, and the government entity they are dealing with.

In her book "Sex Is as Sex Does," renowned transgender advocate and scholar Paisley Currah delves into this flawed system, highlighting its failures to adequately support transgender and non-binary individuals. Currah provides examples from various states, government agencies, and court cases to illustrate the challenges faced by transgender people as they navigate this complex web of legal rules, definitions, and classifications.

Rather than focusing on the conceptual meanings of sex and gender, Currah's research centers on the practical implications of the category of "sex" for governments. She explores how "sex" is used on drivers licenses, in sports, healthcare, and bathroom access, and questions the reasons behind the differing rules and regulations across different sectors. Currah also examines the resistance to individuals changing their sex designation or dropping it from identity documents altogether.

Through her thought-provoking and original work, "Sex Is as Sex Does," Currah unveils the hidden logics that have governed sex classification policies in the United States and offers insights into the broader societal implications of these policies. This book is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about gender equality and the rights of transgender and non-binary individuals.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780814717103