Constantine Sandis talks to Kate Kirkpatrick

Philosopher, theatre director and playwright Dr Constantine Sandis presents a defence of trans realities by exploring the factors that make the trans experience of gender as natural and unquestionable as that of non-trans people.

In Real Gender: A Cis Defence of Trans Realities, Sandis and his co-author Danièle Moyal Sharrock argue for a broader understanding of gender concepts.  They recognise the undeniable social aspects of gender while also recognising that gender cannot be completely divorced from our biological underpinnings. They argue that gender self-identification does not require denial of biology or sex and that what is needed is a more liberal understanding of gender concepts. The book is grounded in trans theory and contains many trans voices.

Sandis has been a theatre director and playwright and has taught philosophy at several universities. He is presently visiting professor of philosophy at the University of Hertfordshire. Here he talks to Dr Kate Kirkpatrick, fellow in philosophy at Regent’s Park College, Oxford. She focuses on 20th century French phenomenology and existentialism, feminism, and ethics and is author of the celebrated Becoming Beauvoir: A Life.

The event will be introduced by Professor Gary Francione. It will include an additional 30 minutes for questions and answers with the speaker. Please arrive 15 minutes early for this event to enable everyone to be seated in time for a prompt start.