Within the novel, Whipping Girl: A
Transsexual Women on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity, Julia
Serano contends that trans women are highly marginalized and ridiculed. This
marginalization happens in normative society through oppositional sexism, the
belief in the rigid exclusive categories of male and female. Surprisingly,
trans women’s voices are excluded from some gender equality movements. Serano
focuses on trans women’s exclusion from feminists groups based on traditional
sexism, the belief that masculinity is superior to femininity. Because these
pseudofeminists “preach feminism with one hand while practicing traditional
sexism with the other,” Serano argues that trans women and other allies must
create a form of feminism that empowers femininity instead of ostracizing those
who do not meet the “standard of women” (18).
Before reading this piece, I did
not realize how trans people’s, in particular trans women’s, voices are being
left out of certain feminist groups. This notion is unsettling because the feminist
movements’ mission is to create equality among men and women. Yet, the group
actually enacts exclusionary tactics towards a set of people facing similar
forms of oppression. What makes this idea even more puzzling is the parallelism
between the tactics used in mainstream media and feminist groups against trans
people. To me, this doesn’t make sense. How can a group that advocates for gender
equality mirror the same oppressive system they are fighting against? Both
mainstream media sources and feminist groups tend to situate trans activists
voices outside of normative society and the gender equality agenda. What does this mean
for gender equality? The limited concern for trans issues could mean that true
gender equality cannot be achieved based on the current mission that makes
trans women the outsider.
In regards to the marginalizing tactics
of mainstream media and feminist organizations, Serano calls for the forging of a
trans inclusive feminist organization. This organization would focus on
abolishing not only the exclusive categories that separate men from women
(oppositional sexism) but the idea that masculinity is dominant to femininity
(traditional sexism) (17). Serano calls for an organization that
reclaims the value of femininity, breaks the constraints of the binary, and
provides a movement that is inclusive of trans women’s voices. Wouldn’t that
type of organization be groundbreaking? This type of feminist organization
would be a huge step towards true gender equality. Well, the cohesion needed
for Serano’s organization has not been achieved yet. Personally, I believe it
is due to the long history of stigmatization and marginalization of trans
women as seen within Serano's piece.
Despite the fact that a trans
inclusive feminist group has not been established, Serano’s piece made me
wonder if there has been any pushback from groups using media sources that
challenge trans women stigmatizations of “hyperfeminization,
hypersexualization, and objectification of [trans women’s] bodies” (Serano 16).
And what did I find after a google search on trans women? Surprisingly, a 2012
ad campaign in the District of Columbia that shows ordinary transgender people
in a positive light.
 |
| Washington D.C. ad campaign |
In response to the discrimination
of transgender people, Mayor Vincent C. Grey and the DC Office of Human Rights have
launched a campaign that attempts to show trans people in a positive
light. Using 5 different ads, the
campaign show trans men, trans women, and gender-non-conforming individuals who
live in the District. Each ad features a photo of the individual. These
photos are positive depictions of the trans community as the individuals are
not “reduced to their body parts” or associated with “derogatory feminine
character traits.” (Serano 15-16). The images are relatable and realistic faces
of people who happen to identify as a different gender than assigned at birth.
This approach humanizes the often stigmatizing label of being an outsider.
Additionally, the images are coupled with a quote about the individual’s
favorite places in D.C., and the tagline
“…and I’m a part of D.C.” (Hannah).
The lines about the District are an attempt to show that the trans
community is one in the same as other members of the D.C. community.
A good way to sum up the meaning
and motivations of the campaign is through a quote from Mayor Gray:
“This District is committed to ensuring
that all people are protected from discrimination, and that includes
discrimination against the transgender and gender-non-conforming communities.
This landmark campaign from the Office of Human Rights is an important piece of
a larger effort by my administration to ensure all residents have equal access
to employment, housing and public services and accommodations regardless of
gender identity or expression.”
The District has taken a
groundbreaking step in challenging the stigmas on the trans community. It
almost seems like this advertisement couldn't get any better, right? But wait,
it can. The ad campaign actually attempts to moves beyond D.C. limits as the observers
are encouraged to spread the word through social media by taking a photo of the
ads and tweeting #TransRespect. By including the social media factor, the campaign
attempts to spread #TransRespect to communities that may not be aware or able
to raise awareness about trans people’s oppression and discrimination.
To bring the D.C. campaign back to the
“Trans Women Manifesto,” the ad s have been a positive representation that
gives a voice to an often voiceless group.
Although Serano suggests that“we
are light years away from being able to say that most people believe that
femininity is masculinity’s equal,” with positive ad campaigns, we are making
steps towards a more positive future for
the trans community (18). These campaigns could be the first step in creating a
more trans inclusive feminist movement that challenges the male-centered gender
hierarchy. What will we see next?
Here are the links to explore:
Sources:
Hannah,
Darly. "DC Launches Groundbreaking #TransRespect Campaign." GLAAD. N.p., 12 Sept. 2012. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.
Serano,
Julia. Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the
Scapegoating of Femininity. Berkley:
Seal, 2007. Print.
No comments:
Post a Comment