Transfeminism describes the concepts of gender non-conformity, notions of masculinity and femininity and the maintaining of sex and gender binary on trans men and women. Transfeminists view gender conformity as a control mechanism of patriarchy, which is maintained via violence against transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals as a basis of patriarchy.
History
Early voices in the movement include Kate Bornstein, author of 1994 Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us, and Sandy Stone, author of essay "The Empire Strikes Back: A Posttranssexual Manifesto".[1] In the 21st century, Krista Scott-Dixon[2] and Julia Serano have published transfeminist works. Bornstein has also released new works, such as Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation in 2010 with S. Bear Bergman. Susan Stryker and Talia M. Bettcher have also released a publication about transfeminism in 2016.[3]
Patrick Califia used the word in print in 1997, and this remains the first known use in print.[4] The term gained traction only after 1999. Jessica Xavier, an acquaintance of Courvant, may have independently coined the term when she used it to introduce her articles, "Passing As Stigma Management" and "Passing as Privilege" in late 1999.[5][6]
Transfeminism incorporates all major themes of third wave feminism, including diversity, body image, self-definition, and women's agency. It also includes critical analysis of second wave feminism from the perspective of the third wave. It critiques mainstream notions of masculinity and argues that women deserve equal rights and shares the unifying principle with other feminisms that gender is a patriarchal social construct used to oppress women.
In 2006, the first book on transfeminism, Trans/Forming Feminisms: Transfeminist Voices Speak Out edited by Krista Scott-Dixon, was published by Sumach Press.[7] At the 2007 Transgender Leadership Summit, Alexis Marie Rivera, spoke about her personal experiences with transfeminism as a young Latina trans woman. She discussed her journey from early transition, where she believed she had to take on the role of housewife, to where she was in the present moment. She asserted that, for her, transfeminism is about taking on feminine gender roles because she wants to, not because she has to.[8]
Transfeminism stands in stark contrast to mainstream second-wave feminism. Transfeminists often criticize the ideas of a universal sisterhood, aligning more with intersectionality and with the mainstream third wave's appreciation for the diversity of women's experience.[9]
References
Wikipedia contributors. "Transfeminism." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 30 Jun. 2024. Web. 30 Aug. 2024.
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20110928164847/http://www.actlab.utexas.edu/~sandy/empire-strikes-back
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20090326080040/http://www.sumachpress.com/transfem.htm
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240305004753/https://read.dukeupress.edu/tsq/article/3/1-2/5/91824/IntroductionTrans-Feminisms
- ↑ Califia, Patrick (July 1997). Sex Changes: The Politics of Transgenderism. Cleis Pr; First Printing Highlighting edition.
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20080705184716/http://www.annelawrence.com/twr/stigma.html
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20080705184939/http://www.annelawrence.com/twr/passing.html
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20090326080040/http://www.sumachpress.com/transfem.htm
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230516052624/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQX33Pvlxsc
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240104024400/https://msmagazine.com/2012/04/18/trans-feminism-theres-no-conundrum-about-it/