Gender and sexual diversity
What is Gender and Sexual Diversity (GSD) and how is it perceived in our society? What
is the impact of an inability to embrace this diversity? What are the definable elements, from a biological perspective, which contribute to GSD? Can health-care professionals distinguish between the different components of GSD, and should they do so?
In this episode of Science & Cocktails Johannesburg, Michael Pepper will examine the relationships between biological sex (physical and psychological), sexual orientation and gender. Gender is defined by the World Health Organisation as "socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women".
Prof. Pepper will expand on the important implications that the interrelationship
between biological sex, sexual orientation and gender identity has in our society and
discuss whether acquiring a more in-depth understanding of the mechanisms leading to GSD can improve its acceptance in society.
Afterwards, inclusive cocktails at the bar to the diverse and synergetic sounds of the Darlington Okofu Quartet.
Image: Wien 2015 (Radek Oliwa/Flickr)
Michael Pepper
Gender and sexual diversity
What is Gender and Sexual Diversity (GSD) and how is it perceived in our society? What is the impact of an inability to embrace this diversity? What are the definable elements, from a biological perspective, which contribute to GSD? Can health-care professionals distinguish between the different components of GSD, and should they do so?
Talk by
MIchael Pepper
Michael Pepper is director of the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine and professor in the Immunology Department of the Health Sciences Faculty at the University of Pretoria. He is also associated professor at the Department of Genetic Medicine and Development within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. His research interests include cell-based therapy and the human genome. He is also a co-coordinator of the South African Human Genome Programme and has served on several National Advisory Committees.
Music by
Darlington Okofu Quartet
Darlington Okofu is a pianist and composer, born in the bustling city of Lagos, Nigeria and based in South Africa since 2007. He has performed and recorded with some of the finest musicians to ever emerge from Africa, including Selaelo Selota, Judith Sephuma, Viktor Ntoni and Faith Kekana. He is currently presenting the "South-West Synergy Project" with a flow of sounds presenting a true reflection of his musical journey. The Quartet is composed of Spha Mdlalose (vocals), Amaeshi Ikechi (bass) and Peter Auret (drums), and also features Mthunzi Mvubu (tenor sax) on some of the tunes
