Sorting Sexualities: Expertise and the Politics of Legal Classification

Stefan Vogler's study explores the politics of techno-legal classification of sexuality in the US, focusing on LGBTQ people seeking asylum and sexual offenders being evaluated for carceral placement. He reveals how different legal arenas take different approaches to classifying sexuality and use those classifications to legitimate social control.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 280 pages
\n Publication date: 14 May 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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Stefan Vogler's groundbreaking work, "Sorting Sexualities," delves into the intricate politics of techno-legal classification of sexuality in the United States. With a specific focus on state classification practices surrounding LGBTQ individuals seeking asylum in the country and sexual offenders undergoing carceral placement evaluations, Vogler uncovers the complexities and challenges inherent in determining individuals' sexualities within these distinct legal contexts. While these situations may seem vastly different, they both raise the fundamental question: how do we ascertain someone's sexuality?

Through a comprehensive ethnographic study, Vogler unveils the diverse approaches taken by different legal arenas to classify sexuality and the ways in which these classifications are employed to justify various forms of social control. By delving into the historical roots of these diverging classification practices and examining their ongoing implications, Vogler demonstrates the profound impact of the science of sexuality on state power.

This study offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between law, sexuality, and power, shedding light on the ways in which legal classifications shape societal perceptions, rights, and freedoms. It serves as a timely reminder of the importance of critically examining these practices and the broader societal implications they entail.

\n Weight: 352g\n
Dimension: 160 x 228 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226776767\n \n