Understanding Transphobia: Intersectionality, Identity, and the Reality of Anti-Trans Violence
This document discusses transphobia as intertwined with various forms of oppression, highlighting alarming statistics like 50% of trans individuals experiencing violence and an average of 215 anti-trans hate crimes reported annually. It explores different types of transphobia, including denial of authenticity, gender norms, and societal pressures faced by trans individuals. The paper raises critical questions about gender identity, societal perceptions, and the impacts of violence and discrimination on trans lives. Through this discussion, we aim to foster understanding and challenge harmful narratives.
Understanding Transphobia: Intersectionality, Identity, and the Reality of Anti-Trans Violence
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Presentation Transcript
Transphobia Talia Mae Bettcher, Ph.D.
Some Preliminary Data • approximately 50% report history of unwanted or forced sex • approximately 50% report history of physical violence • NCAVP reports average of 215 anti-trans hate crimes per year • Remembering our Dead has tracked 350 trans people who were murdered
Transphobia cannot be abstracted from other forms of oppression.
QUESTION: Is a trans woman who presents and lives as a woman “gender-bending”, or is she following gender norms? • QUESTION: Who decides?
The idea that trans people transgress gender norms can constitute a transphobic invalidation of the identities of some trans people.
Types of Transphobia • different forms of transphobia apply to different groups of trans people • different forms of transphobia occur in different forms of discourse and social context
I. Identity Enforcement You say I’m a man… I say I’m a woman You say I’m a woman… I say I’m a man I say I’m neither – or both… you say I have to choose. • Enforcement of the meaning of words • Enforcement of the meaning of bodies Basic Denial of Authenticity
II. Appearance/Reality Contrast • Really a so-and-so disguised as a such-and-such • Living as a woman although biologically male • Discovered to be “anatomically” such-and-such • “I never would have known you’re transgender…” Basic Denial of Authenticity
III. Genital Verification • Extreme cases: • inappropriate touching • Forced exposure • Sneaky cases: • “have you had ‘the surgery’ yet?” • “are you a man or a woman?” • “discovered to be transgender” Basic Denial of Authenticity
IV. Double Bind • Hallmark of oppression: DAMNED IF YOU DO, DAMNED IF YOU DON’T • Evil deceivers vs. make-believers Basic Denial of Authenticity
V. Sexual violence as punishment • Rape • Other forms of sexual humiliation Basic Denial of Authenticity
VI. Blaming the victim • “He (or she) tricked me” • Moral invalidation; accusations of wrong-doing • Equation of “sexual deception” with rape Basic Denial of Authenticity
A Philosophical Story • Gender presentation is taken to communicate genital status. • Gender is a mandatory system of sexual violence. • Trans people resist this system.
Larger Oppressive Context • BDA occurs within a larger system of sexist oppression and sexual violence against women. • BDA occurs within a larger system racial oppression and racialized sexual violence.
Concerns • trans people may uptake harmful behavior to “prove” their reality • external pressure to “pass”: quadruple-binds • transphobia within trans community: “real-er than thou”
contact Dr. Talia Mae Bettcher tbettch@calstatela.edu Susan Forrest sforrest@bhs-inc.org
