DQ GWS 294

[queendqgws294-blog]

Extra Credit Post

In this video Cece McDonald and Monica James address issue that trans women of color experience in Chicago. Issues like criminilazation of trans individuals, sex trade, police brutality, killing of not only black men, but black women, discrimination, and suicide. Both Cece and Monica communicate in a manner that is approachable and personal which made their message more meaningful and understandable. I loved their realness because it made these issues personal. The link is available below for those who want to watch these two powerful women talk about issues that matter and need to be addressed. 

One of the things I appreciated was something Cece said, which was something along the lines of celebrating our trans women now who are alive, not just those who have died. This reminded me of one of the reading from class that was about remembering the trans people who have been killed because of their gender identity, but that we need to celebrate our trans people that are alive. I really appreciated this because if we can celebrate and accept trans people we can lower the death rates of trans lives, and hopefully end the discrimination.

I think one of the most important things that I got from this video was the importance of the community. Cece’s was helped by her community when she was attacked, and Monica was helped by her community when she was being sentenced on unjust charges. They both expressed the importance of community and how they were helped to now being advocates bringing communities together to fight. 

Overall, I would really recommend to everyone to take some time and watch this video. I feel like that sometimes in a school setting there’s words, or academic language that goes over my head, but Cece and Monica lay it out in a way that is comprehensible and accessible to all audiences.

YouTube video

Photo Cred 

[genderinschools-blog]

Tenth Post: Reflections

Overall I found the process to be more difficult than I originally expected. There seemed to be a lot of information on gender affirming practices in high schools but not for elementary schools. Through the articles that I read and videos that I watched i concluded that there was not much to find because unfortunately, there is not much out there. The reason I believe there is not much out there is because the parents do not want the conversation to take place. Time and time again there were accounts of parents saying their children were too young to be exposed to anything relating to transgender children or any form of gender non-conforming behavior. Too many refused to believe that it was anything more than a phase and many just flat out did not know or want to explain it to their children. Sadly, many children do not have full autonomy of themselves so if the parent shuts down the conversation, the child will not have the information or support that they need. Through this I learned children are much more intelligent than they are given credit for. And more importantly, they are far more compassionate and accepting. If you present something as a norm to children they accept it as such. If we allowed children to be themselves and not box them in any sort of gender I believe it would be for the best. If we look closely at what we consider gender non-conforming behavior and “expected” gender behavior we find the lines are quite thin. Separating the two is often based on arbitrary reasoning and what makes this scary is that they are used to discipline and keep children in order. Anything outside of the norm is punished accordingly and is often violent. Taking this into consideration we may be able to take a step in ensuring that all transgender and gender-variant children feel loved, validated, and supported in the environment in which they spend the most of their lives. 

[queendqgws294-blog]

I think it is ironic how gender is a social construct, and everything is “gendered”, but when it comes to talking about gender non-conformity parents lose their minds...baffling.I think it is so sad that kids are not given their full autonomy because as you mentioned in your presentation, kids are more understanding and compassionate than we give them credit, and they are definitely not born being hateful, that is learned through from people around them. I hope we can start seeing changes in schools, and especially in elementary schools. 

[translatinx-familia]

Post 10: Reflection

I had a really good experience researching this topic because, even though I am not Trans or Gender non-conforming, I felt that I learned valuable knowledge about members of my Queer Latinx community. I came to a better understanding as to how homophobia/transphobia manifest in Latinx communities. I also learned about the roles that Latinx mothers and other cisfemale relatives can play an important role in affirming and advocating for Trans Latinxs. Additionally, I came across several resources for spanish-speaking families of Trans Latinxs. 

Overall, I have definitely expanded my conception of family and what it means to be Trans and of color, specifically Latinx. I hope that the information from this blog is useful for people to expand thier conceptions of what a trans, Queer, and/or Latinx experience is like. Also, for Trans and gender non-conforming Latinxs to find resources to talk to their families. I also think it can be useful for  Latinx parents/relatives of gender variant Latinxs to gain a better understanding of these experiences. I think in general, the experiences of gender variant Latinxs and trans POC in general can show a lot about the inter-sectionality and fluidity of identity and how it shapes people’s lived experiences.

[queendqgws294-blog]

I love that a lot of our projects did some overlap, and that we had a class that was invested in the Latinx community as well as gender non-conforming. From what I learned in my project families play a huge role in the overall health of a gender variant youth and I think that your project does a great job of going into better detail about how families can be so important. Yes, I completely agree on how intersectionality is so unique to these groups of people, and because of that we should have more research done and listen to their stories.

[queerchillona-blog]

Reflection

I feel extremely lucky to have been able to have taken this class and truly learn new things. I hope that this course is able to be offered in future semesters because I definitely feel that a course like this should be continuously offered in the GWS department.

I really enjoyed learning about gender variant groups around the world and the fact that the word transgender doesn’t apply to those groups. I liked analyzing the term transgender and how sometimes terms like gender variant can be a better term to use for some people. Especially when we learned about zees , toms, and dees in Thailand and how certain terms can’t be translated into other language because it doesn’t mean the same thing. I also learned about necropolitics and biopolitics, which I didn’t know about before, so I really feel like I got a lot out of taking this course. I also hope our blog projects can be seen as resources for other gender variant folks who stumble upon them.

Taking his course also further reinforced the notion of co-opting a movement such as #BlackLivesMatter and #TransLivesMatter and how problematic it is, as well as how it doesn’t lead to coalition building. I really enjoyed the Bassichis et. al reading because it provided a lot of important ways to create radical and transformative change. I think after this course, I will try to continue to do research on Latinx gender variant folks,especially because I want to become a social worker and work with the Latinx LGBT community.

Photo cred

[queendqgws294-blog]

I am very happy that I was able to be part of this course before I graduated! I, as well, hope that UIC will keep this course on regularly because it needs to be taught and people need to be aware of this community. I’ve mentioned this in another comment, but language plays such a huge role in what we learned this semester and what a term means to some people it doesn’t necessarily mean the same to others. I believe I also wrote about co-opting and how it opened my eyes about how it was problematic, and overall this course was just filled with information that can be applied in many areas. 

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Post 7: Course Reflection

What I’ve learned from GWS 294 is how to engage in a dialogue respectfully. Because gender-identity, how we engage with it (how we talk about it and the terms we use) changes over time, I think one of the most useful skills I’m taking from this course is the ability to talk about gender in an open, honest, and informative way.

I don’t think I was as attuned to the issues that exist within the gender variant community as I was with the feminist community. I think this class has reinforced for me the idea that feminism as a movement needs to be more open to dialogue with its communities. That kind of engagement would encourage more productive coalitions, which I think is still a struggle for the movement. And I think that I will continue to increase my knowledge of this area of study by seeking out more conversations and more lines of communication concerning these topics.

[queendqgws294-blog]

I love that we had a space in which we could openly talk about gender in a way that was informative and honest. One of the things I learned in this course was the importance of language and how certain terms, as you mention, change over time. 

[transprevalenceofeatingdiso-blog]

10th Post: Reflection

After doing research on eating disorders in the transgender community. I have found myself learning a lot about the reasons why trans people are affected more by eating disorders. I think that it has given me some insight because it has shown me that really and truly, trans people are affected by eating disorders for a lot of the same reasons that cisgender people are; it’s just that trans people deal with arguably more stressor than cisgender people because of the multiple oppressions they face. Cisgender folks are at risk for eating disorders due to stress and bullying and trauma, but when you throw in the issue of not identifying with your gender assigned at birth and the way you are ridiculed and judged by society, that may very well heighten all of those other problems. 

Cisgender people are also affected by eating disorders due to body image issues and feeling like they do not fit the idea man or woman; but if you throw in the fact that your natural build is seen to be more characteristic of the gender you were assigned at birth and not to the gender you identify with, I would assume that that heightens body image problems even more. When you think about it in this way, it seems like we are all fighting battle of being the perfect “man” or “woman”. If we really understood that femininity and masculinity looks different for everyone, I think that the body image facet of eating disorders would fade. 

[queendqgws294-blog]

I really enjoyed your blog project! I think that most often these types of disorders or diseases are left out even though a great number of people are affected by them. Types of treatment for these disorders are hard in the first place, but so much harder when you are not welcomed or discriminated against based on gender identity. Your project inspires me to follow up on this and explore how trans women of color are affected by this in comparison to white trans women. Thank you!! 

[transculturaltranshealth-blog]

Post 10: Reflection

I had great difficulty finding information on my topic of the experience of non-English speaking gender variant folks regarding healthcare. Articles either focused on transgender folks and healthcare or non-English speaking folks and healthcare. Many failed to acknowledge that both identities can intersect. There is a lack of people telling their stories as well as a lack of people looking to do research on this topic.

I think what I’ve learned most from this experience is that there is a lot of work that needs to be done. I had difficult finding information and as a cis woman who can speak English this doesn’t directly affect me. However, if there is a trans woman or man or gender variant person, with limited English-speaking skills who is looking for information, they will directly be affected. This experience is eye opening, not only to me but to other who might come across this blog. The more awareness we bring to the lack of information that more we can help to produce that information.

Photo

[queendqgws294-blog]

I had a similar experience trying to find sources that contributed to many aspects of an identity, and I think that speaks for the society we are living in. In one of my articles it clearly says that the most available research is on whites. I agree that there is so much work to be done because many people are left out who need this kind of information. I think our blog projects as whole can be useful tools and resources for others. Great job, Nancy!

[queendqgws294-blog]

Reflection

I think the question should be what didn’t I learn? This course overall made me more active in the aspect of going to events. We were able as a class to go to the Trans Health Panel, and on my own I went to see Body Courage. One thing that I feel impacted me the most was learning about Black Trans lives and the importance of coalition when it is done right. I knew that when people used the “All Lives Matter” hashtag was utterly wrong and in poor taste, but at first I didn’t fully understand why using “Trans Lives Matter” was bad, but because of this course I learned the importance of collaborating instead of ripping off. 

My view has completely widened because in this course I learned to not think with my Western brain, but to accept that different cultures view many aspects of life differently. When I came into this course I thought I knew about trans lives, but I was wrong because all I knew was the narrative that kept getting repeated over and over again, and there is so much more that I still need to learn. I hope I can continue learning about trans lives so I can help be an advocate for them. Also, I have looked into applying at Howard Brown after I graduate because through the course I discovered this healthcare facility that seems to be accepting of gender variant folks.

Photo Credit Here

[queendqgws294-blog]

Gender-Related Event

Body Courage is a play that is performed and written by Danielle Pinnock. The play is about Danielle’s journey of accepting and loving the body she has. Danielle grew up in a family that focused a lot of attention on the way she looked, and she struggled with her weight most of her life. So she embarked on mission to interview different types of people and asked them about their bodies and self-love. Danielle captured the essence of each the interviewees in her performance, and it was brilliantly done. I personally enjoyed the show very much; Danielle was hilarious, and just a pleasure to watch.

Danielle included gender variant folk in her interviews, which ties in closely to class topics. The main focus of her interviews were based on how one felt beautiful and how they felt about their body. For many gender variant people accepting the way they look can be difficult because we live in a binary society that marginalizes people who may look different. As someone who has struggled with weight, and self-esteem issues there were moments in my life that we very depressing. Depression among gender variant people is extremely high, and I think part of it stems from isolation from society and they way the view themselves.

Many gender variant people feel like they need to meet certain standard because of how society reacts if you don’t, which ties in with the way young women feel the need to become very thin. In our culture, thin is beautiful, and many women go to longways sometimes unhealthy ways to achieve this status. I think that can be related to the void of access many gender variant people have, and they get hormones in an unsafe manner. I am not saying the struggle is the same by any way, just that society puts a lot of pressure to look a certain way that it leads to people doing things in an unsafe manner.

Lastly, her overall topic of acceptance can definitely relate to gender variant folk. It is important to be comfortable with who are and love yourself. I also think that Danielle’s message can relay to other people looking for them to be love people regardless of sex, gender, weight, height, and color.

[queendqgws294-blog]

Gender Variant Latin@s

The article “Eliding trans Latino/a queer experiences in US LGBT History” by Tim Retzloff is about two influential gender variant Latinos; Jose Sarria and Sylvia Rivera. Jose Sarria is more commonly known for being the “first open homosexual in the country to run for elective office” (145), and Sylvia Rivera is known for being part of the Stonewall riots and for organizing STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries). Both very influential Latinos in the LGBT community, however their Latino identity has been erased from the media and their representation. For Sarria, he chooses to identify as Spanish decent so he himself rejects the Latino identity. Rivera even though widely recognized as Latina, that part of her identity is omitted from history. Overall, the article is about how certain identities are not represented because they don’t fit nation-state view of how things should be, and thus excluding certain groups of people because they don’t fit in.

I think this reading stood out the most to me because it discussed Latinos that influenced the LGBTQ community and how they are represented because sometimes we are omitted from history. Latinos are a huge part of the United States, me being one, and we are left out of a lot of things because we are not white and this article does a good job analyzing that.  I think that the impact this article had on me was that I felt included, that my identity as a Latina has value and that my people contribute to the world, and specifically to the LGBTQ Community. I hope other readers can see outside what the media represents on an individual and they can value different aspects of someones identity and not just one part. 

Retzloff, Tim. “Eliding trans Latino/a queer experience in US LGBT History: José Sarria and Sylvia Rivera reexamined.” CENTRO Journal 19.1 (2007): 141-161. Academic Search Complete. Web. 6 Jan. 2016.

[queendqgws294-blog]

Trans Health Panel

The Trans health panel at UIC was very informative and eye opening. I was very excited to hear we would have this panel because it is information we should all be aware of. The panel focused a lot on access; access to insurance, access to a provider, and access to healthcare. As mentioned in class and in the panel, health care access is limited to Trans folks because many have been discriminated against when applying for a job therefore they cannot get insurance, and if they do have insurance what they need is not cover, or it is very difficult to get covered. Trans folk also have a hard time finding physicians that have some training and experience with gender variant people, or finding a doctor’s office that treats them as they want to be treated. I liked that the panel was made up of people with different backgrounds and expertise because we got to hear different sides of problems that Trans folk experience when it comes to health care. I would have liked to see other topics covered as well, and suggestions in which we could be more active.

 One of the things I learned was that UIC added Trans health care as part as the health plan that is available to students. Per one of the panelist this was added about three years ago. It is sad that it was only three years ago, but it is also really exciting to see the university we go to is adapting and becoming more inclusive.

Some of the panelists were employees of Howard Brown, and what I learned was that this facility has been proactive in training employees in cultural sensitivity and is an open clinic for Trans folk. I honestly had never heard of this health care facility, but it was very pleasant learning that it is located in Chicago, and that they are striving for health care access to gender variant individuals. Cook County is also taking steps to better the health care and making it more accessible to our Trans community.

Lastly, one of the things that stood out to me the most was when the panelists were asked what constituted as medical necessity, and their answer was whatever the person needs or is essential to them. Even though it seems like common sense, I found it to be so powerful because what Trans folk need to be happy and to able express themselves is a necessity that is too often not taken seriously, and to have people who understand that was incredible.

  If you would like to check out the Trans Health Panel, click on the link below.

http://gws294spring2016.tumblr.com/post/139123420134/healthpanel

[bonnie-gws-294-blog]

Group 4 Project

Romancing the Transgender Native: Rethinking the Use of the “Third Gender” Concept

by Evan B. Towle and Lynn M. Morgan

WORKS CITED: 

Towle, Evan B., and Lynn M. Morgan. “Romancing the Transgender Narra=ve: Rethinking the Use of the “Third Gender” Concept.“ The Transgender Studies Reader. London: Routledge, 2013. 666-84. Print.

Morris, Rosalind C.. “All Made Up: Performance Theory and the New Anthropology of Sex and Gender”. Annual Review of Anthropology 24 (1995): 567–592. Web

Ravine, Jai Arun. Toms and Zees: Locating FTM Identity in Thailand. Print.

Jones, Kelsie Brynn. "Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminism: What Exactly Is It, And Why Does It Hurt?” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 02 Aug. 2014. Web. 08 Mar. 2016.

Kalei, Kalikiano. “AuthorsDen.com: Page Not Found.” AuthorsDen.com: Page Not Found. Author’s Den. Web. 08 Mar. 2016.  

Morgan, Lynn M., and Evan B. Towle. Romancing the Transgender Native: Rethinking the Use of the “Third Gender” Concept. Print.

Center for American Progress. “Transgender Americans Face Staggering Rates of Poverty, Violence.” Movement Advancement Project. 18 Feb. 2015. Web. 08 Mar. 2016.

[bonnie-gws-294-blog]

        Gender variant refers to individuals who do not conform to any specific pre-disposed or socially prescribed gender identity. Gender variant is the term that I find to be the most all-encompassing term, because it applies to both binary and non-binary gender categories. The word “variant” or “variance” simply means changing or different. Additionally, gender variant allows for gender to be constantly changing, thus not making it seem as though gender identity is something that must be the same from year to year, or even month to month for an individual. Gender variant serves as an umbrella term because of the vast variety of gender identities that can fall within gender variance. Trans-identified individuals fall under the gender variant umbrella, regardless of whether or not they identify on one end or the other of the gender binary, or if they identify as non-binary. Those who identify as gender queer, gender non-conforming, or cis-gender “gender benders” (those who identify as either male or female but present themselves in a way that is outside of society’s prescribed norms for the gender they identify with) are all able to fall underneath the umbrella of gender variance.

Through the study of gender variance, we are able to learn a lot about how our society defines and understands the overall concept of gender. By understanding different types of gender identities and categories, it becomes clear very quickly that gender is socially constructed. Additionally, we have come to understand the vast differences that exist between gender and sex, sex and sexuality, gender and gender identity, and gender and sexuality. By understanding how gender, sex, sexuality, and gender identity are all able to function independently from one another, it makes it much easier to understand the role that gender plays in our society, and also in each of our own lives. Stryker states that, “gender is historical…it varies from place to place and culture to culture, and it is contingent” (Stryker, 11). Through studying and understanding gender variance, the “broader sense of gender” is easily broken down, as we come to realize that gender is socially constructed, learned, difference across cultures and times, and that gender (as we define it, as a binary) is not a necessity for life.

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to break gender norms, through my appearance (including clothing and hairstyles), activities of choice, and the way I carry myself. Growing up, my parents allowed my brother and I to both freely explore gender; they never said, “those are boys clothes” or “dolls are girls toys”. Instead they allowed us to express gender in any way we desired, and this is something I will always be so thankful for. Although I was proud to be a “tomboy” in my youth, I felt the pressure of society to conform to the gender that corresponded to the sex I was born as, and actively tried to fight back the “tomboy” urges in my adolescence. In my adulthood, I have come to embrace my inner desire to wear atypical clothing for a woman, and to break down gender norms in many other ways. Stryker defines gender identity by saying that everyone has a “subjective sense of fit” with a specific gender category, and in my personal experience, my gender identity today is exactly what I fought against for so many years of my adolescence and early adulthood (Stryker, 13). As I have gone through my own journey with my gender identity, I have realized how inherent gender identity can be, but that pressure from society has a way of making us each feel as though our gender identity must look a certain way in order for us to fit in.

If more people took the time to understand the complicated intricacies of gender through studying gender variance, I think the gender binary would slowly begin breaking down, and those who did not adhere to it would no longer be deemed gender outlaws. Although most of our society believes gender and gender identity to be biological, “the biological ‘cause’ of gender identity…has never been proven,” and it will never be proven, because of the fact that gender and gender identity are socially constructed (Stryker, 4). As stores like Target start to move towards more gender neutral approaches to marketing, and policy and laws concerning gender identity and gender presentation continue to change to protect everyone, it is safe to say that the general public is beginning to understand the lack of need for a gender binary. That said, there is still a lot of progress that must be made before everyone will be protected for identifying and presenting their gender as they do.   

Works Cited

Stryker, Susan. “An Introduction to Transgender Terms and
 Concepts.” Transgender History. Berkeley, CA: Seal Studies, 2008. 1-29. Print.

photo credit: http://candiussellcorner.blogspot.com/2012/10/gender-variant-acceptance-sevan.html

[queendqgws294-blog]

I used the same picture! I thought it was quite fitting. I think it was very awesome the freedom of expression your parents accepted because even today it is not the case for many individuals. I think your definition of gender variant ties in well with the fact that gender is a social construct because of the flexibility of change. I think it is wild that as a society we limit ones identity, through pressure, because it doesn’t fit into binary ideals. I agree that by understanding the complexity of gender that our society will learn to be more open-minded and accepting. 

[queerchillona-blog]

Studying Gender Variance & How it Helps Us Understand Gender in a Broader Sense

Defining the term gender variant can sometimes be challenging due to the fluidity of definitions, everyone could have a different way of defining it depending on academic readings or personal experiences. The term gender variant can be considered an inclusive umbrella term to explain different gender identities and/or expression. Gender variant can even be more inclusive to groups around the world that have existed before Western colonization and the enforcement of a woman/man binary along with the constructs of femininity and masculinity. Someone who is gender variant can be defined as someone who doesn’t believe in the Western construct of a gender binary and does not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. Instead of existing within a rigid binary, they exist in the middle or on the outside of a fluid gender spectrum.  This definition is slightly better in contrast to what others have defined as gender variant because it gives some room for interpretation and tries to encompass so many aspects of identity and expression. 

Studying gender variance provides insight to the study of gender in a broader sense by acknowledging that the term gender variance or transgender hasn’t always existed and does not mean the same for everyone. Not only that, it also contains the idea that one can’t place a recent term like transgender or gender variance into a historical context because that term didn’t exist back then. You can’t apply a recent term to history because it also makes no sense and it erases people who might have not identified with the term. “What counts as transgender varies as much gender itself, and it always depends on historical context” (Stryker 19). A term like gender variant or transgender is a product of history.

Along with considering the context in which terms are created and the problem there is with applying them to people from different historical periods, studying gender variance also provides insight into not generalizing or erasing pre-existing groups that have existed outside a gender spectrum by enforcing a Western term. A term like transgender is very Eurocentric and shouldn’t be applied to groups like the Mahu or hijra because it enforced a Western idea of a woman/binary when that binary didn’t originally exist for them. Along with that, “it is far too easy to assimilate non-Western configurations of personhood into Western constructs of sexuality and gender, in a manner that recapitulates the power structures of colonialism” (Stryker 14). By generalizing these groups with trans people in the United States, it erases a long history of genocide and colonialism.

When studying gender variance, it leads to insight about language use and how fluid definitions can become. The term genderqueer, for instance, could have more of a fluid definition. One could argue that anyone that fails to “properly” perform gender or their assigned gender could be considered genderqueer (Wilchins 28). By breaking the gender role and norm rules, one can be considered genderqueer. . It doesn’t just have to apply to anyone who self identifies as gender variant, it could even apply to cis people. For example, Wilchins gives the example of a football player being ridiculed for crying due to the loss of a game could be considered as genderqueer because that football players breaks the gender norm of having to be tough and emotionless (28). Yet, by imposing a rigid definition to which abide by, it limits the amount of people who can can identify as genderqueer and makes it more exclusive.

photo cred: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/500321839823746363/

[queendqgws294-blog]

I liked the way you defined gender variant and genderqueer. I think both are terms that are fluid and serve as an umbrella terms. I agree that trying to define a term is difficult because we are complex beings that don’t fit perfectly into socially constructed categories. 

[queendqgws294-blog]

The term that stands out to me as an umbrella term is gender variance. Mainly because I feel like it encompasses a broader net of inclusion to many people. I would define the term gender variance as non-conforming fluidity of gender and sexuality. The reason I chose to define gender variance as such is because I think it holds the least amount of restrictions that can appease to many people. I contrasted my definition against the definition of trans provided by the book, Transgender History, which defines it as a crossing over experience. In my opinion, I don’t see it as transition or crossing over I see it as revealing ones true self from the expectations implemented by society. In my definition I use the term non-conforming, and I mean that in the way that it does not fit into society’s usual expectation or view, not that it isn’t right because it is. I use the word fluidity in my definition because gender is a social construct, and therefore fluidity can express that there are no true boundaries of gender and sexuality. I chose to include sexuality in my definition as well because it is something, which in my opinion, can be fluid. Finding a perfect definition or term is difficult because there are going to be people who don’t identify to it, but overall I think my definition tries to appeal to the majority of people and it is a definition that tries to be all inclusive.  

           “But you can only lie about who you are for so long without going crazy” wise words spoken by Ellen Wittlinger, a transgender Chicagoan author. For many people the categories placed on them by society don’t coincide with their true identity, and out of fear they oppress their true identity. Studying gender variance is purposeful for many reasons. One of the reasons I believe it is important to study gender variance is because gender is a social construct. A construct that allows society to keeps these norms of gender alive through, reinforcements, punishment, reward, and by passing it down from one generation to the next. We see gender expressed in many forms of media, and it is hard to run away from it. Gender variance serves as evidence that gender is a social construct because not everyone fits into clean cut categories imposed on us by society. By learning more about gender variance we can get rid of stigmas, or move away from negative thoughts associated with non-conforming ideals of gender and help build a society where people are not oppressed by it.

           As a cisgender individual I never really thought about gender, it was always something that was and was not questioned. As I continued with my education I learned that gender existed because of society and it became clearer as to how it was maintained. Therefore I think that by studying about gender variance or transgender identities gives one insight on how gender is fluid and not bound to boundaries, or that the boundaries created are not ideal. I think that the way like gender is imposed on cisgender individuals it is also imposed of transgender identified people. People are told you have to be one or the other and if you stray away from those notions society outcasts you and oppresses you. Learning about gender variance can be helpful in the acceptance of the transgender community and hopefully with that acceptance can diminish the depression, and suicide rates within that community. By acknowledging that their identity is valid and accepted includes these individuals as part of society, and can be free to be themselves, their true identity.

[jmorin3-blog]

Maxine Conway- Wentworth

Maxine Conway is a transgender character on the show Wentworth. It is a series shown in Australia as well as on Netflix that depicts the lives of a women’s prison. The back story for this character is that she is sentenced to three years for stabbing her ex boyfriend. Upon entering the prison she does experience some discrimination and taunting regarding her identity and her body. This is similar to the representation of the transgender character we see in the series Orange is the New Black. Although the shows are about a women’s facility, we still see this questioning about if the body of the character is “female enough” to be in that space. Maxine is always very confident in her identity and ready to defend herself in whatever way necessary but also proves to be a fan favorite due to her caring and protective nature. Unfortunately, there is some mistreatment from the guards, the males in particular. The show also addresses her need to keep up with medications and how being in that system makes maintaining her health and identity difficult when other power structures dictate how you live. Overall, the show does a nice job at providing ways of seeing the possible experiences of trans identified folks that are within the prison system. Although flowing through the justice system can be hard for anybody, this gives a different perspective that isn’t usually seen or understood by bigger populations which is important.

[wholeuyu]

“fan favorite due to her caring and protective nature“ ;__; MAXINE………..

I like how this transnarrative is told through a setting we usually don’t hear about! Thanks for bringing this up.

[queendqgws294-blog]

I’ve seen this show pop up on ‘recommended list’, I’ll have to check it out! Seeing this character in a prison setting and seeing Laverne Cox’ character in a prison setting, do you think it is a way society views trans people?

[queerchillona-blog]

One day, I remember looking through the films on Netflix when I stumbled onto one called Itty Bitty Titty Committee. Itty Bitty Titty Committee had one trans character named Aggie ( who is in the picture). I remember feeling generally weird about the portrayal of his character. I thought it was such a poor representation of trans people and his character didn’t really get to develop at all. First of all, his character was portrayed by a cis woman instead of a trans man. Second of all, I felt like there were trans phobic overtones in the film. The women in the film had created a feminist group named C(i)A and they only included women but they let Aggie participate because he had “female anatomy” -___-. has anyone else watched this film? any thoughts? criticism?

[queendqgws294-blog]

I have not watched the film, but it is on my list to watch. Kinda bummed to hear they did a poor representation of trans people :/. Will definitely get back to you after I watch it.