Jan Bergstra & Laurens Buijs
Amsterdam Gender Theory Research Team
As we described in AGTRT-BF91, we view gender incongnuence as a medical condition, a condition that can be viewed as a problem and may warrant medical intervention. Gender incongruence can but does not have to be associated with gender dysphoria. We define gender incongnuence as a mismatch between gender identity and gender experience. Medical interventions can then “reverse” the gender experience and thus bring it closer to gender identity.
Gender incongruence is thus a problem that sometimes, but not always, has a medical solution. Chronic gender incongnuence also exists. In that situation, one will have to learn to live with that, even though it may not be easy. In AGTRT-BF93, we expressed the hope and expectation that ABGT (Androgyny-Based Gender Theory) may have clinical psychological significance in dealing with chronic gender incongruence.
Recently, the Vatican published the “Dignitas Infinita,” which includes a statement on human dignity (see also AGTRT-BF77). We read that statement to mean that the Roman Catholic Church there claims that the medical condition “gender incongruence” would not exist, or should not or should not exist. Each of these three options is incomprehensible on reflection. That at the time the biblical texts were written the phenomenon of gender incogruence was unknown is not surprising, but that anno 2024 the existence of that phenomenon can be dismissed without further analysis is astonishing.
Read more about the Dignitas Infinita:
Vatican contradicts itself on “gender theory”
A course of treatment for gender incogruence may include: (i) diagnosis, (ii) psychological gender transition, (ii) social gender transition, (iii) physical gender transition, (iv) formal gender transition (transition in the sense of formal gender), (v) legal gender transition (see AGTRT-BF92).
The problem we have with Dignitas Infinita is that understandable opposition to co-essentialism is transformed into de facto denial of gender incongruence as a basically (or at least in part) treatable medical condition. It is positive that the Roman Catholic Church regarding diversity of sexual orientations has taken the step to recognize this phenomenon and put the question of how to deal with it on the agenda (see also AGTRT-BT5). A similar step could be taken by the Roman Catholic Church regarding gender incongruence, and its possible treatment.
Read more about positive developments in the Roman Catholic Church:
Dignitas Infinita: a step forward for acceptance of sexual orientation diversity
As Dignitas Infinita handles it, the price of not recognizing (from the Vatican) a “recognized” medical condition is greater than the gain of opposition to the consequences of co-essentialism. This award concerns both the denial of science and the misunderstanding of human problems.
In our view, legal gender transition can be so obvious and so compelling a part of the solution to gender incongruence that for this reason legal gender transition should also be recognized and facilitated as an option. But even if the Vatican does not share that view, it would already be a significant step forward if the existence of the phenomenon of gender incongruence were at least acknowledged.
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