You Tube Theology

ASA 2023 Plenary V
MALE, FEMALE, AND INTERSEX IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
Megan K. DeFranza

People with biological sex traits that are a mix of male and female have been known since antiquity—including in the Bible and Christian history. Historically determined by genital appearance, sex assignment has been complicated by the discovery of gonads, chromosomes, and hormones. Advances in neuroscience and genetics are illuminating more nuances to sex development hitherto imperceptible. Each discovery documenting the multifactorial nature of human biological sex blurs the dividing line between male and female and increases the number of people for whom sex assignment is not straightforward. This blurring of lines has been perceived as a threat by many Christians.

Defenders of the Bible have worked to explain away, silence, and erase intersex bodies—justifying forced medical procedures on those born with mixed sex traits. Children are subjected to genital surgeries, gonadectomies, hormone blockers, and hormone replacements to force their bodies away from natural androgyny toward artificial binary phenotypes. These interventions have been documented as causing physical, psychological, and spiritual trauma.

The bodies and experiences of intersex people also provide vital data on the development of gender identity. Anti-transgender legislation, allegedly crafted to protect young people, carves out exceptions which allow physicians to alter the sex traits of intersex children while denying similar interventions requested by adolescents and adults. How can biblical studies and theology help Christians navigate this complex landscape?

Megan DeFranza is the author of Sex Difference in Christian Theology: Male, Female, and Intersex in the Image of God among other publications on sexuality, gender, gender identity, and theology. While a research associate with the Center for Mind and Culture in Boston, she directed the awards winning documentary “Stories of Intersex and Faith.” Integrating interviews from the film with her own theological teaching she created the awards winning 6-part video curriculum for churches "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Scripture and the New Science of Gender." Alongside speaking and writing, Megan does private coaching and sex therapy with individuals, couples, and small groups to help bring healing to those harmed by certain Christian teachings on sex, gender, sexuality, and purity culture. www.megandefranza.com.

ABOUT ASA 2023
Conference site: https://network.asa3.org/mpage/ASA2023

0:00 Intro
0:13 Moderator, Heather Prior
2:25 Stories Video
4:46 Main Lecture
48:33 Q&A

Video Intro Song: Inspiration by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5493-inspiration-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license