A member of the Association of Russian Speaking Intersex Felix Neyman gave a lecture “Intersex phenomenon in culture: an excursion into history.”

Felix talked about the treatment of intersex people in the ancient world, about the rituals of sacrifice and the perception of intersex people as damned and child prodigies; how attitudes towards intersex changed with the advent of Christianity, as medieval medicine explained hermaphroditism, based on the opinion of the church; how the ideas of the Renaissance helped promote gender binarity; how intersex topics were reflected in the satire of that time. Also, the event participants learned about the unique case of cross-dressing in the 17th century and the related trial.

We thank the 10th Anniversary QueerFest International Festival for organizing the performance.