Transgender people have been subject to discrimination and violence for their gender identities since ancient times. In recent years, the visibility of trans people has increased significantly, but they still face challenges like employment discrimination, harassment, hate crimes, and lack of access to healthcare.
Many scholars argue that trans identity poses an existential threat to conventional moral philosophy by questioning its core assumption that there are fixed categories of male and female, which leads to discussions about the nature of morality itself. The notion of integrity is central to ethics because it refers to having firm principles or beliefs that guide one's actions. Integrity can be divided into several subcategories such as physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, social, and moral integrity. Trans identity challenges these assumptions because it suggests that sex is a spectrum rather than binary. This means that some people may identify as neither fully male nor female, or both at different times, making traditional definitions of masculinity and femininity meaningless. It also raises questions about whether sexual activity is inherently bound up in biology and challenges the idea that there is a natural order to human relationships. The notion of integrity assumes that individuals have control over their bodies and can act according to their values.
If someone has a penis but identifies as a woman, does this make them any less worthy of respect? This could lead to a rejection of the concept of virtue ethics, which focuses on character traits, and instead favor a consequentialist approach that prioritizes outcomes over intentions. On the other hand, transgender activists challenge the idea that gender identity should be determined by external factors such as genitalia or chromosomes. They emphasize that identity is intrinsic to each person and should not be based on physical characteristics.
They argue for recognition of non-binary genders beyond male and female, suggesting that gender is more fluid than previously believed.
The affirmation of trans identity requires us to consider how we define integrity and challenge our conventional ethical assumptions.
How does the affirmation of trans identity interrogate conventional ethical assumptions about integrity?
The affirmation of transgender identity has been challenging traditional ethical principles that emphasize the importance of preserving societal norms and values. The concept of integrating personal gender into one's social identity is challenging because it implies that individuals have the right to define their identity beyond what society dictates. This view is contrary to the ethical principle that promotes conformity and adherence to established norms and traditions.