IN-PERSON: The Elderwise classroom at the Vineyard Church
Cross-dressing has occurred since civilization began. This class will explore the reasons people cross-dressed, and how their cultures responded to their nonconformist attire. In some eras and places, no one really cared. In others, cross-dressing could get a person killed by people, by governments, and by religions. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake not just because of her heretical notions but because she dressed as a man. Many, like Joan, cross-dressed but made no attempt to hide their true sex. Others realized that indeed their gender identity was the opposite of their biological sex. We will watch and discuss The Danish Girl which centers on the lives of real people. Eddie Redmayne portrays Einar/Lili who undergoes an early sexual reassignment surgery in the early 20th century. Susan Nenadic holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in history and English. She is known for her integration of history and literature in teaching, and is the author of several books and articles, including A Purse of Her Own: Occupations of 19th Century Women, and Legendary Locals of Ann Arbor. Susan currently leads Friends of Amoru, a non-profit organization building a secondary school in Uganda.
