Congress Paper Abstract

International Foundation for Androgynous Studies Inc.

Kai Chris Somers xxy MACE, BEd (Melbourne), Hons. Dip. Creative Photography (UK), Member of IFJ, AJA, ASA.Postgraduate research student at:The University of Western Australia. Mr. Tarquam McKenna, M Ed, MA, MArtTh (ECU), Doctoral Candidate University Western Australia, Dr Felicity Haynes  

Email: epicene@student.ecel.uwa.edu.au, t.mckenna@cowan.edu.au

The world’s first INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR ANDROGYNOUS STUDIES Inc. has been established to promote knowledge and understanding of "intersex" and transsexuals/transgendered persons, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and all those who exist uneasily in a society which has naturalized divisions between males and females, sex and gender, the queer and the normal. It encourages research into related aspects of endocrinology, paediatrics, surgery, psychiatry, clinical and social psychology, genetics, education, law, politics, human rights and history. It investigates gender identity as it is largely constructed through the physical appearance, external genitalia, reproductive organs, chromosome count, facial hair, hormonal balance, voice, sexual preference or social practices. Consequently it opens for further inquiry the whole question of gender (and sexuality) and to what extent those who do not fit current expectations, even when filling in official forms, are made invisible and powerless. It allows androgynous persons to share their stories with each other and the public.

A major international Visual and Performance Art exhibition "THE HIDDEN GENDER" is planned where a number of highly creative and committed visual and performance artists/writers/ poets/thinkers/film-makers/multi-media from the traditional and modern technological arts will exhibit works focusing on gender issues related to the androgynous/epicene people of the world.

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