Speaker: Judith Butler, distinguished professor at UC Berkeley.
Known for: Books "Gender Trouble" and "Bodies That Matter".
Key Idea: Everyone has their own theory of gender based on their assumptions.
Key Concepts
Sex vs. Gender
Sex: Assigned at birth, important in medical and legal contexts.
Gender: A mix of cultural norms, historical formations, family influences, desires, and wishes. It is a fluid concept open to interpretation and change.
Gender and Democracy
Assault on gender is linked to an assault on democracy.
Importance of freedom and lack of discrimination in living a more liberated life.
Historical Context
1960s Social Movements: Influenced by the era's social movements, grew up politically active.
Diverse Oppression: Awareness of different groups oppressed under Nazi regime, leading to wider understanding of oppression.
Development of Gender Theory
Feminism and Queer Theory: Part of movements in the 70s and 80s, questioning societal roles and self-identity.
Critique of Feminism: Opposed concepts that narrowly defined women by maternity or sexual difference.
Influences on Gender Theory
Simone de Beauvoir: Opened up the idea that gender is developed, not inherent.
Gail Rubin: Suggested family structures reproduce gender norms, and explored repression in gender conformity.
Gender as Performance
Performative Acts: Gender is made and remade through actions.
Changing Reality: Acknowledgment of shifting societal terms (e.g., family, gender roles). Performance can change reality.
Challenges and Resistance
Resistance to Change: Even among progressives, resistance to trans and LGBTQ+ rights.
Learning New Norms: Stumbling and errors are part of learning to accept new norms and language.
Current Focus
Defense and Counteraction: Less about defending gender theory, more about combating attacks on gender.
Instability and Fear: People fear instability from non-fixed gender definitions, challenge in redefining reality.
Conclusion
Freedom is a Struggle: Freedom must be actively claimed against societal pressures.
Democracy and Justice: Continuous learning and redefining of equality, freedom, and justice.
Integration of Struggles: Gender equality and freedom should be integral to democratic pursuits.
Final Thoughts
Continuous engagement with gender issues as part of broader democratic and social justice efforts.