Were some Catholic saints transgender? Berkeley show raises eyebrows

[theHandpuppet]

Cross posted from Religion Group.

Really interesting article. The work reminds me of Frida Kahlo, very striking.

Were some Catholic saints transgender? Berkeley show raises eyebrows
Kimberly Winston
November 6, 2014

BERKELEY, Calif. (RNS) Step into the one-room art gallery inside the Pacific School of Religion and look closely at the saints in the paintings: Some have beards; some have buzz cuts; some have their breasts obscured; some appear in unisex clothes like tanks tops and jeans.

Are they women or men?

That’s the point of artist Alma Lopez’s new show, “Queer Santas: Holy Violence,” on display at this theological school known for its embrace of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. In playing with the gender characteristics of religious icons usually depicted as feminine, Lopez asks us to reconsider our ideas of religion, beauty and gender.

Justin Tanis, who teaches at the school, said it’s as if these saints, with their direct eye contact and open arms, are saying, “‘I am natural, I am one of God’s people.’ And yet this is an image that many people would consider heretical because gender play is involved.”.... MORE at http://www.religionnews.com/2014/11/06/catholic-saints-transgender-berkeley-show-raises-eyebrows/

[nomorenomore08]

1. Fascinating stuff. Thanks for posting.

[One_Life_To_Give]

2. Intersex maybe?

Seems Congenital adrenal hyperplasia would account for developing the beard. The article doesn't mention much beyond that to presume these saints were trans.