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Series:   Elements in Language, Gender and Sexuality

Legal Categorization of 'Transgender'

An Analysis of Statutory Interpretation of 'Sex', 'Man', and 'Woman' in Transgender Jurisprudence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2024

Kimberly Tao
Kimberly Tao
Affiliation:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Summary

This Element analyzes the foundational frame of legal reasoning when courts interpret the 'plain language' and 'ordinary meaning' of terms such as 'sex', 'man' and 'woman'. There is a rich and complicated line of cases on how to define these terms and how to legally categorize transgender people. When dealing with different legal issues, judges need to give a clear 'yes' or 'no', determinate answer to a legal question. Marginal categorizations could be problematic even for experts. It analyses nine decisions that relate to transgender people's workplace protection under Title VII in United States and the right to marry in United Kingdom and Hong Kong. It brings in a historical discussion of the development of interpretative practices of law and legal categorization of transgender individuals across past decades, drawing on the intricate relationship between time and statutory interpretation.
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Keywords

Transgender jurisprudencestatutory interpretationgender ideologiesordinary meaningMarriage law and Title VII
Type
Element
Information
Series: Elements in Language, Gender and Sexuality
Online ISBN: 9781009221221
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 21 March 2024

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Legal Categorization of 'Transgender'
  • Kimberly Tao, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Online ISBN: 9781009221221
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Legal Categorization of 'Transgender'
  • Kimberly Tao, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Online ISBN: 9781009221221
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Legal Categorization of 'Transgender'
  • Kimberly Tao, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Online ISBN: 9781009221221
Available formats
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