The Ontology of Sex Discrimination

Abstract

While there is a general consensus that sex discrimination should be prohibited, there is far less agreement about what constitutes such discrimination. Here, Dr Dembroff focusses on the claim that discrimination on the basis of (a) sexual orientation or (b) nonconforming gender identity (e.g., trans identity) do not constitute sex discrimination, because sexual orientation and gender identity are ‘distinct’ from sex.

Looking closely at the ontology of sex, sexual orientation, and gender nonconformity shows this claim is specious or false. It also provides us with the conceptual tools needed to see that discrimination targeting someone based on their sexual orientation or nonconforming gender identity is an instance of sex discrimination.

About the speaker

Robin Dembroff is Assistant Professor of Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy at Yale University. Read more about our speaker.

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