Dr.
Aaron H. Devor is 
professor
of sociology at the University of Victoria,
Canada. Dr.
Devor specializes in the study of gender, sex,
and sexuality in lesbian women, transgendered
females, and female-to-male transsexuals.
Devor's first book,
Gender
Blending: Confronting the Limits of
Duality, coined
the phrase Gender Blending, and examined
the social construction of gender in society and
its implications for the lives of females whose
gender presentations mixed masculinity,
femininity, and other characteristics to the
point that their gender was not always
recognizable to observers.
Devor's second book,
FTM:
Female-to-Male Transsexuals in
Society, provides
a detailed, compassionate, intimate, and
incisive portrait of the life experiences of 45
female-to-male transsexuals and suggests new
theoretical frameworks for understanding the
interplay of gender, sex, and sexuality
[Read
the first chapter of this publication
here]. Current
research focuses on Reed
Erickson, a transsexed
man and founder of the Erickson Educational
Foundation, who was instrumental in bringing
issues of transgender and gay rights into public
awareness.
Aaron Devor studied
psychology at York University, and after moving
to Vancouver in 1975, he held a variety of jobs
including portrait photographer and printer, as
well as being involved in feminist, gay and
lesbian politics. He zigzagged through studies
in physics at Simon Fraser University, a
master's degree in communications at SFU, then a
PhD in sociology at the University of
Washington. After arriving at UVic in 1989, his
academic ambition became clear: Devor moved from
visiting lecturer in sociology through various
levels of professorship and gained tenure, which
ensures job security, eventually becoming
associate dean of social sciences and finally
dean of graduate studies.
Aaron has a reputation
as a superb instructor, one of only 10
recipients in Canada of a 3M fellowship in 2000
that recognizes excellence in teaching as well
as leadership and commitment to the improvement
of university teaching. He received the 1995
University of Victoria Alumni Teaching Award,
which cites the professor's fairness,
scrupulousness and innovative techniques.
Aaron and his wife and
partner of 13 years, Lynn Greenhough, were
united in a Jewish commitment ceremony ten years
ago. As well as having the support of family and
friends, the two are involved with Victoria's
tightly knit Jewish community.
Devor's announcement of
transition to manhood swept the University of
Victoria campus, Canada in January 2003. Dr.
Devor is a renowned public lecturer and has made
numerous appearances on television, radio and in
print media. Dr. Devor is available for
research, consultation, and educational work
concerning female or male transgendered or
transsexual persons.
