The Hidden Gender

by Kai Christopher Somers, International Foundation for Androgynous Studies

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Dear All,

We are writing this letter to draw to your attention to a major enterprise in which we and a number of senior academics, including the Deans of Medicine and Education are involved. We are asking only for expressions of interest at this stage. We hope that you will be able to lend your support and expertise to the establishment of the following related ventures.

The exhibition's purpose would be to focus public attention on the concept of gender, with a view to dissolving the normal assumption of a binary male/female distinction. It is envisaged that a selected number of highly creative and committed visual and performance artists / writers / poets / philosophers / film­makers / musicians, etc. from all genders be given the opportunity to exhibit their works in this show. The artist(s) invited might work solo or together with a team of their own manageable choice, in keeping with the concept and available space. They are encouraged to use traditional and / or modern technological modes of expression in their own interpretation of the issues pertaining to epicene peoples world-wide.

The exhibition will be a world first of international significance and will be aptly named The Hidden Gender. The intention is to have the first exhibition in Perth, Western Australia at a major venue in late 1999 and or 2000. Should sufficient sponsorship be available, then we would hope this unique exhibition could travel nationally and internationally.

We are also extremely interested in setting up the world's first International Foundation for Androgynous Studies. Androgyny covers a wide range of social and medical interests, including endocrinology, urology, paediatrics, surgery, psychiatry, clinical psychology, genetics, politics, history and education. Some figures, for example, indicate that 1 in 3,000 people have a particular 47XXY chromosome combination, including some celebrities who prefer to keep their condition secret. There are many other genetic combinations. Even many doctors are unaware that hermaphrodites reaction to hormonal supplements, whether testosterone or oestrogen, does not seem to be that of normal males and females. There is room for further medical research, but there is also room for much social concern. There have been cases of hermaphrodites who have been denied birth certificates became of their indeterminate gender and certainly cases of people who have lost their jobs when their condition is revealed. There have been many cases of what is clinically known as gender dysphoria where hermaphrodites are unable to decide whether they are more male or female. When they elect for surgery they are often unhappy with the superficiality of the physical transformation. The whole issue of social identity through gender is a major educational concern, and the foundation would respond to those educational, legal, ethical and historical concerns which further the rights of androgynous people to be treated in a holistic and humanitarian way. The foundation would support and encourage research, dissemination of information, networking and support for and about androgynous people.

We are hoping that it will be based in Australia and propose to set up an interim board shortly to establish the aims, objectives and incorporation of such a foundation. The Hidden Gender art exhibition would provide an exemplary way to promote the International Foundation of Androgynous Studies.

Jeff McMullen of Channel Nine's 60 Minutes here in Australia is very kindly lending his full support. He has offered his patronage to the foundation and has written to Professor Lou Landau to this effect. Chris's brother Geoff Somers M.B.E. plus Polar Medal, the British and Commonwealth team member of the historic 1990 International Trans Antarctica Expedition, has also offered his patronage and support.

We would be most grateful for your assistance for the total concept for we believe it will benefit many people across the world and in this country.

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