Transgender

“Trans Women At Smith: The Complexities of Checking Female,” an article written by Sarah Fraas and published in The Sophian, argues that transgender women should be accepted into an all-women’s college since these individuals, though they may not be easily able to prove that they are female, identify as women. However, there are some nuances that Fraas does not consider, such as the fact that others will feel uneasy about these individuals attending the university without sufficient evidence…

need to be taught on how to accept, be fair, and be equal to other employees or people different from you. One of the other things that I have learned that some of the transgender people go through the process of transgender because they actually feel different compared to what they are born into. Unlike some other transgender people who go through the process just for all the unethical and immoral…

When I was younger I used to think that no matter who I was or what I became, the world would accept me. As I got older I learned people who are gay, bi-sexual, and transgender were discriminated against. I realized that this world, and people in this world, don’t always accept you for who you are or who you want to be. Even though I’m not the same as these people, what makes me any different? I’m what people in this world would consider “normal” but what if I realized I wasn’t “normal?” Or did…

In Transforming Citizenships: Transgender Articulations of the Law, Isaac West offers an interesting critique of the LGBTQ rights movement though the accounts of transgender citizenship claims. West offers many examples of how this criticism of the law can help transform current legal engagements. Through his expansive discussion of Debbie Mayne, People In Search of Safe and Accessible Restrooms, Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance, Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, and impure…

using bathrooms for opposite sex. "This is a historic day for Massachusetts. The wave of legislative activity #TransBillMA has seen in the last two months is the culmination of a decade-long fight to fully protect transgender people from discrimination in the Bay State," a pro-transgender group Freedom Massachusetts said in a statement. The bill now only requires signature of Governor Charlie Baker for it to be implemented across the state. The H.4343 bill will seek to promote…

thinking can be related to two people, who do not fit the binary, “profiled” in the film Paris is Burning (1990): Venus Xtravaganza, who equates gender to sex and Pepper Labeija, who does not equate the two. Venus Xtravaganza is a “passing” transgender woman in Harlem who faces the struggles of not completely fitting the gender norm in a society where gender is black and white. Her ideal life would be one where she has money, is rid of her penis and is living as a housewife. Without realizing…

balls and give the viewers an insight to race, class, gender, and sexuality in America. She was able to depict this by conducting interviews with “legends” in the ball scene but also footage of ball competitions and the interaction of gay and transgender people in normal society. My thesis revolves around how Livingston showed that gender is a role performed by society not a reality. One of the main topics that represents the performance that is gender is the different categories in the…

past 3 terms without much controversy. Part of this referendum would allow transgender people to use the bathroom that correlates to their gender; makes sense, right? It is frustrating that HERO was so strongly voted against. The slogan against HERO was "No Men in Women's Bathrooms." I see a flaw in this argument, men are NOT going into the women's bathrooms. THEY ARE WOMEN! Just as much of a woman as any other woman. Transgender women do not belong in men's bathrooms because they are NOT men. I…

Division plays a common role within culture. Specific groups built by common identifiers segment the population into various groups and subcultures which align with those identifiers. Both through the idea of stereotyping, but also through intentional acts of self-identifying, divisions run rampant throughout society. Masculine or feminine, male or female, these categories make up one of the largest divisions within today’s society. Masculinity, a term which encompasses a variety of properties…

In Paris is Burning (1990), Jennie Livingston explores the 1980s New York City drag balls with a focus on the African American and Latino gay and transgender society involved. The film begins with the purpose of the balls and the culture that surrounds it. Different key players in the drag world explain the aspects of a ball such as “voguing,” “realness,” and “houses.” Livingston reveals how the subjects dealt with the adversity of this lifestyle of poverty, racism, and homophobia. She shows…