Author(s)

Liao Yiyang

Corresponding Author

Liao Yiyang

Abstract

Medical discourse both reflects and shapes the social ideology. This paper explores the evolution in medical discourse, specifically the evolution of DSM’s definition of gender dysphoria, and its alignment with Judith Butler’s concept of ‘undoing gender.’ The critical analysis method is used to analyze the linguistic and content changes of gender dysphoria’s diagnostic criteria from DSM-3 to DSM-5. The finding of this paper suggests that the evolution is towards the non-binary, self-autonomy, and de-pathologized interpretation of gender, three elements of Judith Butler’s ‘undoing gender.’ Moreover, the paper points out the potential impact and critical reflection of DSM changes in gender dysphoria diagnosis in Waitzkin’s and Beek’s works. Finally, the limitations of the paper are outlined.

Keywords

gender dysphoria, undoing gender, Judith Butler, DSM