Much debate exists over the proper religious perspective on transgender realities and people. This volume examines transgender in the major world religions. Extensive consideration is given to Christianity, including the arguments presented both against transgender behaviors and by supporters of transgender people. Religions covered include Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and indigenous religions such as Native American religions of the United States.

The second volume in a 5 volume set, The Context of Transgender Realities examines crossdressing as it is experienced by crossdressers and as it is interpreted by others, including researchers from a number of different disciplines. Organized as answers to frequently asked questions, the text covers everything from what motivates crossdressing, to when it begins, how it proceeds, and what it means.

The first in a five volume set, this book reestablishes dress as a foundational context for crossdressing. This major study demonstrates the interplay between sex, gender, and clothes, especially as these relate to transgender behaviors, of which crossdressing is the best-known.

Psychiatry and psychology have a long and highly debated history in relation to gender. In particular, they have attracted criticism for policing the boundaries of ‘normal’ gender expression through gender identity diagnoses, such as transvestism, transsexualism, gender identity disorder and gender dysphoria. Drawing on discursive psychology, this book traces the historical development of psychiatric constructions of ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ gender expression. It contextualizes the recent reconstruction of gender in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and its criteria for gender dysphoria. This latest diagnosis illustrates the continued disagreement and debate within the profession surrounding gender identity as ‘disordered’. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the conflicted history between feminist and transgender communities in the changing context of a more trans-positive feminism, and the implications of these diagnoses for these distinct but linked communities. Psychology and Gender Dysphoria examines debates and controversies surrounding psychiatric diagnoses and theories related to gender and gender nonconformity by exploring recent research, examples of collaborative perspectives, and existing feminist and trans texts. As such, the book is relevant for postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers of gender, feminism, and critical psychology as well as historical issues within psychiatry.

The third in a landmark five volume study of transgender realities, with a focus on crossdressing, this fascinating volume offers a tour through history and around the world. Within these pages are found the most famous crossdressers of history and information as to what it means to be a transgender person in the various countries of the world today.

Homosexuality is a cross-cutting challenge to Malawian society with theological, socio-cultural, economic, legal, political, and human rights implications. This book argues that the solution to the homosexuality debate in Malawi does not lie in either the criminalization or decriminalization of homosexuality; neither does it lie in homophobia nor heterophobia. However, the solution to the homosexuality debate lies in achieving a harmonious co-existence of both heterosexuals and homosexuals by practicing mutual tolerance. The book concludes by suggesting various activities to be taken by: The Government of Malawi; Gay Rights Activists; Religious Leaders; Traditional Leaders; and Malawian Society to ensure the aforementioned tolerance and understanding is encouraged.

Conversing on Gender is, as its subtitle indicates, a primer for entering the broad conversation on gender that can be found both inside and outside of academic circles. The book considers the relation of gender to sex and sexuality, reviews prominent theories of gender, and covers basic gender issues.

The first in a five volume set, this book reestablishes dress as a foundational context for crossdressing. This major study demonstrates the interplay between sex, gender, and clothes, especially as these relate to transgender behaviors, of which crossdressing is the best-known.

This introductory volume studies the challenges faced by the transgender community in India. It traces the history of the representation of the community in Hindu texts to understand the evolution of their status within Indian society. The book looks at various themes such as the concept of establishing identity through the processes of 'coming out' and 'transitioning’ and analyses how race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, nation, religion, and ability have cross-influenced to shape the transgender experience and trans culture across and beyond the binary. Lucid and topical, the book debunks myths and critiques the stigma and discrimination surrounding the transgender community. It will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of gender studies, queer studies, exclusion and discrimination studies, political science, sociology, social anthropology, and South Asian studies.

This book addresses the ‘three moments’ in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) asylum seekers’ and refugees’ efforts to secure protection: The reasons for their flight, the Refugee Status Determination process, and their integration into the host community once they are recognized refugee status.The first part discusses one of the most under-researched areas within the literature devoted to asylum claims based on sexual orientation and gender identity, namely the reasons behind LGBTI persons’ flight. It investigates the motives that drive LGBTI persons to leave their countries of origin and seek sanctuary elsewhere, the actors of persecution, and the status quo of LGBTI rights. Accordingly, an intersectional approach is employed so as to offer a comprehensive picture of how a host of factors beyond sexual orientation/gender identity impact this crucial first stage of LGBTI asylum seekers’ journey.In turn, the second part explores the challenges that LGBTI asylum seekers face during the RSD process in countries of asylum. It first examines these countries’ interpretations and applications of the process in relation to the relevant UNHCR guidelines and questions the challenges including the dominance of Western conceptions and narratives of sexual identity in the asylum procedure, heterogeneous treatment concerning the definition of a particular social group, and the difficulties related to assessing one’s sexual orientation within the asylum procedure. It subsequently addresses the reasons for and potential solutions to these challenges.The last part of the book focuses on the integration of LGBTI refugees into the countries of asylum. It first seeks to identify and describe the protection gaps that LGBTI refugees are currently experiencing, before turning to the reasons and potential remedies for them.