Abstract

Registering a newborn’s gender/sex on the birth certificate is usually seen as a mere formality that reflects a natural state of affairs. This article, however, shows that the registration of gender/sex does something else than record naturally given sex differences in bodies; it actually produces and shapes bodies to develop in a way conformant with understandings of sexual dimorphism. Sexed bodies are therefore not pre-discursive and static objects, but they are constantly in the process of becoming, influenced by socio-legal procedures, including gender/sex registration. By analysing the effects of registering the legal gender/sex on birth certificates and the change of gender markers thereof in various jurisdictions, in particular Australian states and territories, the article aims to show how bodies of intersex as well as endosex cis and trans persons are made into what they are expected to be: sexually dimorphic. It concludes that legally assigning a gender/sex has intrinsically violent effects on bodies, something that could be avoided by eliminating the public registration of gender/sex.

摘要

在出生证明上登记新生​​儿的性别/性别通常被视为仅仅是一种反映自然状况的形式。但是，本文表明，性别/性别登记除了记录自然存在的身体性别差异外，还可以做其他事情；它实际上产生并塑造身体，使其以与性二态性的理解相一致的方式发展。因此有性别的机构没有预先话语和静态对象，但他们都在不断的过程变得，受社会法律程序（包括性别/性别注册）的影响。通过分析合法性别/性别对出生证的影响及其在各个司法管辖区（特别是澳大利亚各州和领地）中性别标记的变化，本文旨在展示男女两性以及内在的顺式和反式人被制成预期的：性二态。结论是，依法分配性别/性别会对身体产生内在的暴力影响，可以通过取消性别/性别的公开注册来避免这种情况。