Transgender paths in 19th-century France

The Fondation Inalco, with the support of the Fondation Rothschild - Institut Alain de Rothschild, is offering a series of conferences on sexual and gender-based violence around the world. In 2023-2024, the theme of the cycle is "The construction of gender, beyond binarity".

Document de permission de travestissement — Permission de travestissement, 1862 © DR‎

Transidentity, in terms of the fluidity of gender identities, is unthought of in 19th-century France. In a society marked by sexual binarity, however, transgender existences can be discovered in all social milieus, especially the most modest. The performative intensity that characterizes them can be seen first and foremost in their recomposed physical appearance, and can be appreciated through their ability to integrate the sociability of their chosen gender into everyday life. It is striking for its fullness and duration, for its irrevocable character when it is not forced, for the audacity and freedom that nourish it. It invites us to consider projection into the other gender not just as an opportunity, but as an imperative requirement.

About the speaker

Gabrielle Houbre is a historian at the CERILAC laboratory of Université Paris Cité. A specialist in nineteenth-century social and cultural history, particularly sexualities and gender identities, she wrote the section devoted to the nineteenth century in Une histoire des sexualités (PUF, 2018) and has published Les deux vies d'Abel Barbin, né Adélaïde Herculine (1838-1868) (PUF, 2020).

Contacts

Elisa Carandina - elisa.carandina@inalco.fr
Fondation Inalco - fondation@inalco.fr

About Fondation Rothschild - Institut Alain de Rothschild

Chaired by Eric de Rothschild, the Fondation Rothschild - Institut Alain de Rothschild provides financial, material and moral support to around a hundred projects a year in all areas of public interest. In a society weakened by inequalities, its many philanthropic initiatives are particularly focused on culture, education, the environment and healthcare. The company stands out for its ability to take action on major social issues. Its two main areas of action are the fight against racism and anti-Semitism, and solidarity with the most vulnerable. For the Fondation Rothschild - Institut Alain de Rothschild, the partnership with Inalco and the Fondation Inalco represents a first opportunity to work with a national academic institution on the major societal issue of the study of parity and gender.