History of scientific, medical and psychological approaches to transsexualities and their critical approach

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-12902021200768

Keywords:

Transsexualities, Biomedical Model, Critical Psychology, (De)Pathologization of Trans Identities

Abstract

This study provides a brief historical background of scientific, medical and psychological approaches to transsexualities. It also makes considerations on how such approaches based the concept of pathology that is associated with trans people and how it has been responsible for maintaining the pathologization in the collective imaginary. More specifically, we will establish a chronology of events that, throughout history, have affected the study on and the intervention with trans people, based on the biomedical model. We will also refer to some Western figures responsible for creating this biomedical vision of trans people. Finally, the discussion about the (de)pathologization of transsexualities is presented, based on the emergence of the paradigm centered on the human rights of trans people and proposals for self-determination of their bodies and identities.

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Author Biographies

  • Liliana Rodrigues, Universidade do Porto

    Universidade do Porto. Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação. Porto, Porto, Portugal.

  • Nuno Santos Carneiro, Instituto Superior de Serviço Social do Porto

    Instituto Superior de Serviço Social do Porto. Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos, Portugal.

  • Conceição Nogueira, Universidade do Porto

    Universidade do Porto. Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação. Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Published

2021-06-02

Issue

Section

Original research articles

How to Cite

Rodrigues, L., Carneiro, N. S., & Nogueira, C. (2021). History of scientific, medical and psychological approaches to transsexualities and their critical approach. Saúde E Sociedade, 30(2). https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-12902021200768