Against the Ontology-First Approach to Gender Recognition

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter offers a response to the concern that in acknowledging the existence of some gender kinds that do not align with people’s gender identities, the account defended in earlier chapters is likely to have political effects that run counter to trans liberation in the current social context. It begins by identifying a widespread assumption to the effect that settling questions about the current ontology of gender kinds will automatically determine what shape our gendered social practices ought to take. This is the ‘Ontology-First approach’ to gender recognition. The chapter shows how the Ontology-First approach fuels disagreements about gender recognition and contributes to the perpetuation and amplification of transphobia, and it argues that the account defended in earlier chapters helps to dispel the Ontology-First approach. Overall, this suggests that the account of the ontology of gender kinds and of ontic oppression is conducive to trans liberation.