Omnigender: A Trans-Religious Approach - Hardcover

Mollenkott, Virginia Ramey

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0829814221 ISBN 13: 9780829814224

Publisher: Pilgrim Pr, 2001

Synopsis

This book bridges traditional religious doctrine and secular postmodern theory regarding gender. Through an examination of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures and church history as well as the exploration of other religious traditions and cultures, Mollenkott honors the experience of people who do not fit within the traditional binary concept of gender: intersexual, trans-sexual, or otherwise-gendered individuals.

About this title

About the Author

Virginia Ramey Mollenkott is the author or co-author of 13 books, including several on women and religion. She is a winner of the Lambda Literary Award and has published numerous essays on literary topics.

In 1978, Virginia co-authored Is The Homosexual My Neighbor? A Positive Christian View with Letha Dawson Scanzoni. After being expanded and updated in 1994, this ground-breaking work still stands as one of the most informative and thorough explorations of the topic. Sensuous Spirituality, Dr. Mollenkott's 1992 book (revised and updated in 2008), examines the integration of sexuality and spirituality, social activism and personal peace.

Dr. Virginia Ramey Mollenkott has lectured widely on lesbian, gay, and bisexual rights and has also been active in the transgender cause, authoring Omnigender (revised and updated version published in 2007), and serving as co-author of Transgender Journeys (2003).

"All of her writings may be subsumed under the theme of oneness, which Mollenkott variously describes as an 'organic wholeness' and a 'transcendental integrative vision.' The emphasis is on seeing God in all things and serving God in all activities, integration of the human personality around a unifying center, and awareness of humanity's interdependence."
            Quote from Letha Dawson Scanzoni's biography of Virginia on novelguide.com

From the Inside Flap

Virginia Ramey Mollenkott contends that the common understanding of gender as two opposite sexes is woefully inadequate. In fact, she argues that this "binary gender paradigm" is oppressive and inflicts grave suffering on many people. Identifying ways in which this paradigm is harmful to people, Mollenkott moves beyond the current gender construct to offer a vision of a new, more flexible gender paradigm which she terms "omnigender."

Drawing on a lifetime of experience in writing and teaching about gender issues, Mollenkott bridges traditional religious doctrine and secular postmodern theory related to gender. She honors the experiences of people who do not fit within the traditional binary concept of gender, including individuals who are intersexual, transsexual, or otherwise transgendered. Examining the Jewish and Christina scriptures and church history, she finds alternative concepts of gender. Exploring Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, African, Native American, and other religions, she uncovers precedents for increased gender fluidity.

In proposing a new paradigm, Mollenkott offers a vision of what such and omnigendered society might look like and offers suggestions for the educational, scientific, and political steps it will take to get there. "The binary gender construct has been and continues to be of life-and-death importance to those who cannot meet society's unrealistic requirement," writes Mollenkott. In Omingender. A Trans-religious Approach, Virginia Ramey Mollenkott shows how shifting gender paradigms will liberate individuals and make our society more truthful and just.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pilgrim Pr
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0829814221
• ISBN 13: 9780829814224
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 198