Beyond Binaries: Histories of Gender through Time

Exploring the fluidity of gender and the body in the past

Today, we often hear debates about gender identity and the idea that people are either strictly male or female. But did you know that in many times and places throughout history, gender wasn’t seen so simply?

Join archaeologist Benjamin Alberti and historian Bridgette Sheridan as they explore how people in the past thought about gender, relationships and the human body. From ancient South American pottery to ideas from Europe’s Scientific Revolution, they’ll share surprising stories about how different—and sometimes flexible—those ideas were.

You’ll discover that people have always questioned what it means to be a body, to be male or female, or something else entirely. Gender wasn’t always fixed. In fact, disagreement and diversity were often part of the conversation.

Following the Lecture
Stick around after the lecture for a hands-on blackout poetry activity led by the awesome OutMetrowest staff! You’ll get to create your own poetic masterpieces by transforming existing texts into something completely new—and totally you.

If you have any questions feel free to reach Claudia Ruiz, FHC Programs Manager, at claudia@framinghamhistory.org.