In this episode, I chat with psychoanalysts Avgi Saketopoulou and Ann Pellegrini about their new book, Gender Without Identity. We dig into how gender isn’t some fixed core identity but something shaped by cultural interactions, and yeah, sometimes trauma. Avgi and Ann take apart the mainstream ideas of gender, questioning the whole "core identity" thing, and instead offer a way more nuanced take that dives into the messy complexities of gender in psychoanalysis. We also take a hard look at the bullshit legislative attacks on trans people and how transness gets framed as a problem by those in power. This is a deep dive into gender theory and trauma that anyone interested in real, meaningful inclusivity needs to hear.
You can follow Ann and Avgi on their websites
Ann Pellegrini’s Websitehttps://annpellegrini.com
Avgi Saketopoulou’s Websitehttps://avgisaketopoulou.com
Unconscious in Translation:https://www.uitbooks.com/shop/gender-without-identity
Little District Books:https://www.littledistrictbooks.com/products/gender-without-identity
My thoughts on the bookThis book challenges the idea that gender is fixed or inherent, instead showing how it’s shaped by trauma and cultural experiences. It’s dense and complex, but it dives into important questions we need to be asking about how gender forms. Saketopoulou and Pellegrini do an excellent job of pushing beyond conventional thinking.
It’s not a light read, but for those who care about really understanding the intersection of gender and trauma, it’s well worth the effort. The psychoanalytic approach might sometimes feel heavy, but the depth they go into pays off.
If you’re looking for a book that challenges the mainstream understanding of gender identity and forces you to confront the uncomfortable realities of how we construct gender, Gender Without Identity is one to pick up. It’s thought-provoking and timely for anyone who’s serious about moving these conversations forward.
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And you can get a copy of Gender Without Identity from these sites
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