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 state classification practices around LGBTQ people seeking asylum and sexual offenders being evaluated for carceral placement. He reveals how different legal arenas take dramatically different approaches to classifying sexuality and use those classifications to legitimate different forms of social control.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 17 May 2021
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

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 profound implications of these classifications. While these two contexts may seem vastly different, they both raise the crucial question: how do we determine an individual's sexuality?

Through a rich ethnographic approach, Vogler unveils the diverse ways in which sexuality is classified and how these classifications are employed to justify various forms of social control. By delving into the historical roots of these divergent practices and examining their ongoing consequences, Vogler demonstrates the profound influence of the science of sexuality on state power.

This study sheds light on the complex interplay between law, science, and social norms, highlighting the ways in which state actors shape and regulate sexual identities. It challenges the notion that sexuality is a fixed and universal category and emphasizes the subjective and contextual nature of sexual classification. Vogler's work contributes to our understanding of the power dynamics at play in legal and social arenas and provides valuable insights into the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ rights and social justice.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226769165