Join us for what promises to be a uniquely enlightening and lively conversation between Andréa Becker and Helen King, moderated by Julia Bueno. Taking Get It Out by Andréa Becker and Immaculate Forms by Helen King as a springboard for discussion, we will delve into the history and uncertain future of the uterus. Both of these books offer insight into all the ways the historical and medical fields have played a ‘gatekeeping role’ over the uterus, and the ways that gatekeeping is inflected along racialised and gendered lines.

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Structure

Doors: 19:00

Introductions: 19:30 - 19:45

Discussion: 19:45 - 20:45

Break: 20:45 - 21:00

Q&A: 21:00 - 21:30

Moderator

Julia Bueno is a psychotherapist and author. Her first book, The Brink of Being, explores the broad experience of miscarriage, her second, Everyone’s A Critic, looks at our habit of self-criticism. She is currently writing Coping with Pregnancy Loss, and another - yet to be titled book - unpacking the popular terms we use from the therapy consulting rooms.

Panelists

Andréa Becker, PhD is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Hunter College-City University of New York. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Nation, and Slate. Her book Get It Out weaves centuries of medical history with rich qualitative data from 100 women, trans men, and nonbinary people who had, want, or are considering hysterectomy. In compelling detail, Andréa Becker reveals how America’s healthcare system routinely deprives people of the ability to control their own bodies along race and gender lines. When people ask for a hysterectomy, they are often met with pushback: Are you sick enough? Old enough? Have you had enough babies? Will you regret this? How will your future husband feel about this? Yet this pushback is not equally experienced. While some people are barred access, others are ushered toward a hysterectomy. These contradictory recommendations reveal the persistent biases entrenched within healthcare. 

Helen King is a historian of medicine and the body who is Professor Emerita of Classical Studies at The Open University. Trained in ancient history and social anthropology at University College London and having held research posts in Cambridge and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, she has also had visiting roles at Gustavus Adolphus College, MN; the Peninsula Medical School; and the universities of Vienna, Texas, Notre Dame and British Columbia. Her latest book, Immaculate Forms: Uncovering the history of women’s bodies (2024), looks at the ways in which wombs have been seen as sewers and sources of women's inferiority, but also as the most miraculous organs of the body. Her work features in numerous podcasts and her radio appearances include In Our Time, Woman’s Hour, Start the Week and The Infinite Monkey.