DOCSLIB.ORG

A Hierarchical Clustering Analysis of Data from the First Australian Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health Survey

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Hierarchical Clustering Analysis of Data from the First Australian Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health Survey Transgender Health Volume 00, Number 00, 2020 ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2020.0050 The Complexities of Categorizing Gender: A Hierarchical Clustering Analysis of Data from the First Australian Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health Survey Denton Callander,1,2,* Christy E. Newman,3 Martin Holt,3 Shoshana Rosenberg,4 Dustin T. Duncan,1 Mish Pony,5 Liadh Timmins,1 Vincent Cornelisse,2,6 Liz Duck-Chong,7 Binhuan Wang,8 and Teddy Cook2,7 Abstract Purpose: This study used self-reported gender among trans and gender diverse people in Australia to identify and describe broad, overarching gender categories that encompass the expansive ways in which gender can be defined and expressed. Methods: Data were collected as part of the Australian Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health Survey hosted in October 2018. Participant self-identification with nonexclusive gender categories were analyzed using algorithm- based hierarchical clustering; factors associated with gender clusters were identified using logistic regression an- alyses. Results: Usable data were collected from 1613 trans and gender diverse people in Australia, of whom 71.0% used two or more labels to describe their gender. Three nonexclusive clusters were identified: (i) women/trans women, (ii) men/trans men, and (iii) nonbinary. In total, 33.8% of participants defined their gender in exclusively binary terms (i.e., men/women, trans men/trans women), 40.1% in nonbinary terms, and 26.0% in both binary and non- binary terms. The following factors were associated with selecting nonbinary versus binary gender labels: pre- sumed female gender at birth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.60–2.54, p < 0.001), having a majority of sexual and/or gender minority friends (aOR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.49–3.10, p < 0.001), and having spent more than half of one’s life identifying as trans and/or gender diverse (aOR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.37–2.23, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Trans and gender diverse people take up diverse and often multiple gender labels, which can be broadly categorized as binary and nonbinary. Systems of health care and research must be adapted to include nonbinary people while remaining amenable to further adaptation. Keywords: cluster analysis; gender identity; health informatics; nonbinary Downloaded by University Of New South Wales from www.liebertpub.com at 08/07/20. For personal use only. Introduction In recent years, the emergence of an expanding range of ways in which people express and describe gender ‘‘Certain individuals in certain times and places transcend the has generated considerable attention in both academic categories of male and female, masculine and feminine, as 2 these have been understood in Western culture since at least and public discourse. Scholars have variously sought to the later nineteenth century’’. (p. 21)1 characterize, categorize, conceptualize, and pathologize 1Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA. 2Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia. 3Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia. 4Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. 5Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association, Sydney, Australia. 6Kirkton Road Centre, Sydney, Australia. 7AIDS Council of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. 8New York University Langone Health, New York, New York, USA. *Address correspondence to: Denton Callander, PhD, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA, E-mail: [email protected] 1 2 CALLANDER ET AL. gender diversity,1,2–5 whereas mainstream commenta- third gender alongside (presumed cisgender) men tors have tended to approach it with bafflement and and women, which aside from being inaccurate does derision.6–8 Regardless of whether or not critics ques- not achieve any meaningful outcomes in terms of im- tion the authenticity and validity of gender diversity, proved data collection.20 This set of issues gives rise genders other than fixed and supposed innate notions to important questions about how clinicians, adminis- of ‘‘male’’ and ‘‘female’’ have existed back through trators, epidemiologists, researchers, and health practi- time and around the world.1 Furthermore, a growing tioners can make sense of and incorporate gender body of research has made clear that diverse experi- diversity into their work in meaningful and appropriate ences of gender are profoundly meaningful to those ways. Put another way, is it possible to simplify the ex- who embody them and that having one’s gender mis- pansive range of genders in a way that aligns with med- understood or ignored can create very real and negative ical and research systems while respecting individual implications for health and well-being.9,10 and emerging identities? Among the many characteristics and experiences of Questions about the ways in which trans and gender trans and gender diverse people, this article takes up diverse people are counted (or not) in health and med- the opportunity to explore the complexities of under- ical research go well beyond the theoretical. Countless standing and categorizing gender in health and research studies have documented disparities in health out- systems. We take gender to mean an individual’s inter- comes and care facing trans and gender diverse peo- nal sense of themselves and their inner relationship to ple,21,22 which are exacerbated by their erasure in the gendered social environments within which they health research and clinical settings.21,23–25 As health live. Furthermore, the concept of gender manifests practitioners and researchers seek to understand and through its expression to others, whether affirmed by respond to the needs and experiences of trans and gen- or not, and developed, and redeveloped in response to der diverse people, empirical research is needed to help social, cultural, and political moments. Although it conceptualize the evolving range of genders embodied may be tempting to think about categories of ‘‘sex’’ by diverse communities of people internationally. This and ‘‘gender’’ as immutable or ‘‘of nature,’’ they are article describes an empirically driven system for cate- strongly influenced by society and culture and have gorizing gender using data collected by the largest and continue to change within scientific, socioecologi- study of trans and gender diverse people conducted cal, political, and cultural discourse.11 to-date in Australia. Although gender diversity may seem like a recent phenomenon, historical examples of it can be found Methods from around the world.12–14 Twentieth century ap- Study design proaches to gender in Western systems of medicine In 2018, a national online, anonymous, and cross- have been shaped significantly by the European colonial sectional survey was conducted of trans and gender di- project, which in many cases sought explicitly to control verse people in Australia, known as the Australian and eradicate gender diversity among Indigenous com- Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health Survey.26 munities.15–18 This system of control was reinforced by The study team comprised epidemiologists, social sci- Downloaded by University Of New South Wales from www.liebertpub.com at 08/07/20. For personal use only. scientific and medical discourses of the last two centu- entists, clinicians, journalists, health promotion spe- ries, which were invested in categorizing human experi- cialists, and community advocates who worked to ences and bodies as simplistically as possible without promote the health and well-being of trans and gender attending to power, culture, and other social consider- diverse people in Australia. ations that ultimately gave shape, motive, and dissent to the process and the categories they produced.19 Participants and recruitment Given that gender exists in an incredibly broad range Individuals were eligible to participate if they were liv- of ways that are increasingly understood as fluid and ing in Australia, at least 16 years old, and were a gender contextual, it is perhaps not surprising that most med- other than what was presumed for them at birth. Peo- ical and research systems continue to ignore or experi- ple whose gender aligned with the gender presumed for ence anxiety toward gender diversity. Where such them at birth (i.e., cisgender) were not eligible to partic- systems have adapted to better recognize gender diver- ipate. Participants were informed that whether they sity, they have often made the mistake of offering one had undergone or were planning to undertake social, additional option of ‘‘transgender’’ as, apparently, a legal, or medical gender affirmation was immaterial CATEGORIZING GENDER 3 to eligibility. Participants were also informed that they Table 1. Self-Reported Gender Among Trans and Gender could withdraw by discontinuing the survey at any Diverse People, Stratified by Gender Presumed at Birth point, with survey completion taken as a marker of Gender presumed at birth, n (%) consent. Gender Female Male Unspecified Recruitment employed a multifaceted strategy that identitya (n = 985) (n = 618) (n = 10) Total directed potential participants to a dedicated study Man 343 (34.8) 27 (4.4) — 370 (22.9) webpage, through which they could find out about Woman 57 (5.8) 328 (53.1) 6 (60.0) 391 (24.2) the study, assess their eligibility, and gain access to Trans man 416 (42.2) 5 (0.8) 3 (30.0) 424 (26.3) Trans woman 1 (0.1) 424 (68.6) 10 (100.0) 435 (27.0) the survey. Study advertisements were distributed Trans masculine 324 (32.9) 5 (0.8) — 329 (20.4) online through existing networks on social media Trans feminine 19 (1.9) 209 (33.8) — 228 (14.1) Nonbinary 535 (54.3) 176 (28.5) — 711 (44.1) along with paid advertisements on Facebook and Genderqueer 301 (30.6) 106 (17.2) — 407 (25.2) Instagram. Digital and print copies of study advertise- Agender 137 (13.9) 35 (5.7) — 172 (10.7) Sistergirl — 14 (2.3) 1 (10.0) 15 (0.9) ments were also sent to organizations that provided Brotherboy 17 (1.7) 1 (0.2) — 18 (1.1) services or support to trans and gender diverse people.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Nondiscrimination in Health and Health
    Officers May 20, 2020 Chair Judith L. Lichtman National Partnership for Women & Families Vice Chairs Thomas A. Saenz Mexican American Legal The Honorable Alex Azar Derek Kan Defense and Educational Fund Hilary Shelton Secretary Executive Associate Director NAACP Secretary/Treasurer U.S. Department of Health and Office of Management and Budget Lee A. Saunders American Federation of State, Human Services 725 17th Street NW County & Municipal Employees 200 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20503 Board of Directors Kevin Allis National Congress of American Indians Washington, DC 20201 Kimberly Churches AAUW Paul Ray Kristen Clarke Lawyers' Committee for Roger Severino OIRA Administrator Civil Rights Under Law Alphonso B. David Director Office of Management and Budget Human Rights Campaign Rory Gamble Office for Civil Rights 725 17th Street NW International Union, UAW Lily Eskelsen García U.S. Department of Health and Washington, DC 20503 National Education Association Fatima Goss Graves Human Services National Women's Law Center Mary Kay Henry 200 Independence Avenue SW Seema Verma Service Employees International Union Sherrilyn Ifill Washington, DC 20201 Administrator NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services David H. Inoue Japanese American Citizens League 7500 Security Boulevard Derrick Johnson NAACP Baltimore, Maryland 21244 Virginia Kase League of Women Voters of the United States Michael B. Keegan People for the American Way Samer E. Khalaf Re: Nondiscrimination in Health and Health
    [Show full text]
  • Transgender History / by Susan Stryker
    u.s. $12.95 gay/Lesbian studies Craving a smart and Comprehensive approaCh to transgender history historiCaL and Current topiCs in feminism? SEAL Studies Seal Studies helps you hone your analytical skills, susan stryker get informed, and have fun while you’re at it! transgender history HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL GET: • COVERAGE OF THE TOPIC IN ENGAGING AND AccESSIBLE LANGUAGE • PhOTOS, ILLUSTRATIONS, AND SIDEBARS • READERS’ gUIDES THAT PROMOTE CRITICAL ANALYSIS • EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHIES TO POINT YOU TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Transgender History covers American transgender history from the mid-twentieth century to today. From the transsexual and transvestite communities in the years following World War II to trans radicalism and social change in the ’60s and ’70s to the gender issues witnessed throughout the ’90s and ’00s, this introductory text will give you a foundation for understanding the developments, changes, strides, and setbacks of trans studies and the trans community in the United States. “A lively introduction to transgender history and activism in the U.S. Highly readable and highly recommended.” SUSAN —joanne meyerowitz, professor of history and american studies, yale University, and author of How Sex Changed: A History of Transsexuality In The United States “A powerful combination of lucid prose and theoretical sophistication . Readers STRYKER who have no or little knowledge of transgender issues will come away with the foundation they need, while those already in the field will find much to think about.” —paisley cUrrah, political
    [Show full text]
  • Transfeminist Perspectives in and Beyond Transgender and Gender Studies
    Transfeminist Perspectives Edited by ANNE ENKE Transfeminist Perspectives in and beyond Transgender and Gender Studies TEMPLE UNIVERSITY PRESS Philadelphia TEMPLE UNIVERSITY PRESS Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122 www.temple.edu/tempress Copyright © 2012 by Temple University All rights reserved Published 2012 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Transfeminist perspectives in and beyond transgender and gender studies / edited by Anne Enke. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-4399-0746-7 (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN 978-1-4399-0747-4 (pbk. : alk. paper) ISBN 978-1-4399-0748-1 (e-book) 1. Women’s studies. 2. Feminism. 3. Transgenderism. 4. Transsexualism. I. Enke, Anne, 1964– HQ1180.T72 2012 305.4—dc23 2011043061 Th e paper used in this publication meets the requirements of the American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1992 Printed in the United States of America 2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3 1 Contents Acknowledgments vii Introduction: Transfeminist Perspectives 1 A. Finn Enke Note on Terms and Concepts 16 A. Finn Enke PART I “This Much Knowledge”: Flexible Epistemologies 1 Gender/Sovereignty 23 Vic Muñoz 2 “Do Th ese Earrings Make Me Look Dumb?” Diversity, Privilege, and Heteronormative Perceptions of Competence within the Academy 34 Kate Forbes 3 Trans. Panic. Some Th oughts toward a Th eory of Feminist Fundamentalism 45 Bobby Noble 4 Th e Education of Little Cis: Cisgender and the Discipline of Opposing Bodies 60 A. Finn Enke PART II Categorical Insuffi ciencies and “Impossible People” 5 College Transitions: Recommended Policies for Trans Students and Employees 81 Clark A.
    [Show full text]
  • The Professional Commons
    立法會 CB(2)923/13-14(13)號文件 LC Paper No. CB(2)923/13-14(13) (170913 update) The Professional Commons Task Force on Transgender Law ReformA Background Paper It’s Time for Change:B Towards a Gender Recognition Ordinance for Hong Kong. Sam Winter, Associate Professor, Division of Policy Studies in Education, Faculty of Education, University of Hong. C This paper provides an introduction to trans people and various health and rights issues confronting them ‐ worldwide and in Hong Kong. It discusses the role played by legal gender recognition in the lives of trans people and argues for the introduction of legislation in Hong Kong that will provide recognition (a) in all relevant areas, and (b) without imposing unreasonable medical barriers. It proposes a Gender Recognition Ordinance for Hong Kong, using the UK Gender Recognition Act of 2004 as a model.D Section 1: Trans people: some terms defined Trans people here is an abbreviation covering persons identifying as transgender, transsexual or equivalent. Transgender people are ‘individuals whose gender identity and/or expression of their gender differs from social norms related to their gender of birth’ (from the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH), Standards of Care, Edition 7).1 Like other widely available definitions the WPATH definition includes a wide range of people who A The Professional Commons is committed to improving the quality of public governance in Hong Kong and empowering the community in the policy‐making process. It aims to accomplish this by harnessing the soft power of responsible professionalism. Its mission statement includes engaging with the community in developing public policies, and expressing professional views in the pursuit of public interest.
    [Show full text]
  • GLMA's 35Th Annual Conference on LGBT Health
    Conference Program GLMA’s 35th Annual Conference on LGBT Health Hotel Map Conference Program GLMA’s 35th Annual Conference on LGBT Health Table of Contents About GLMA........................................................................................................ 2 GLMA President’s Welcome................................................................................ 4 GLMA Education Committee Welcome........................................................... 5 General Information............................................................................................. 6 Social Networking Information............................................................... 6 Conference Goals & Learning Objectives............................................. 8 CME / CE & Evaluation Information.................................................. 9 Special & Social Events Calendar........................................................................ 11 GLMA Achievement Awards Gala.................................................................... 15 Schedule-at-a-Glance............................................................................................. 16 Conference Schedule............................................................................................. 17 Wednesday................................................................................................... 17 Thursday...................................................................................................... 18 Friday...........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Self-Reported Rates of Abuse, Neglect, and Bullying Experienced by Transgender and Gender-Nonbinary Adolescents in China
    Original Investigation | Public Health Self-reported Rates of Abuse, Neglect, and Bullying Experienced by Transgender and Gender-Nonbinary Adolescents in China Ke Peng, MPH; Xuequan Zhu, MSc; Amy Gillespie, PhD; Yuanyuan Wang, PhD; Yue Gao, MD; Ying Xin, MSc; Ji Qi, BA; JianJun Ou, MD, PhD; Shaoling Zhong, BSc; Lixian Zhao, MD; Jianbo Liu, MD, PhD; Chaoyue Wang, MSc; Runsen Chen, MSc, MBMS Abstract Key Points Question What are the rates of abuse, IMPORTANCE This is the first comprehensive national study reporting the rates of abuse, neglect, neglect, and bullying and their and bullying from family and classmates or teachers among Chinese transgender and gender- association with poor mental health nonbinary adolescents and identifying risk factors associated with poor mental health in this experienced by Chinese transgender population. and gender nonbinary adolescents? OBJECTIVE To assess the rates of abuse, neglect, and bullying and their association with poor Findings In this national survey study mental health among Chinese transgender and gender nonbinary adolescents. of 385 transgender and gender- nonbinary adolescents, 296 DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This national survey study used an online self-selecting respondents reported experiencing survey conducted between January 1, 2017, and September 29, 2017, in China. Eligibility criteria parental abuse or neglect and 295 included reporting being aged 12 to 18 years and being transgender or gender nonbinary. Data respondents reported experiencing analysis was performed from March 25 to 28, 2019. abuse or bullying from classmates or teachers. Reporting experiences of MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The main outcome was self-reported poor mental health, bullying or abuse from classmates or including depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and suicidal ideation.
    [Show full text]
  • May 19, 2021 Ruth Ryder Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy And
    May 19, 2021 Ruth Ryder Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Programs U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary School 400 Maryland Avenue SW Washington, DC 20202 Re: Comments regarding proposed priorities for the American History and Civics Education programs [Docket ID ED-2019-SCC-0119] Dear Ms. Ryder: As organizations committed to building K-12 learning communities that advance racial, gender, and disability justice, we strongly support the Department in prioritizing antiracism and agree that “[i]t is critical that the teaching of American history and civics creates learning experiences that validate and reflect the diversity, identities, histories, contributions, and experiences of all students.”1 To strengthen Proposed Priority 1, we urge the Department to add “sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression and perspectives on the experiences of women to item b) of the proposed application,” which currently requires applicants to describe how their proposed project includes teaching and learning practices that “incorporate racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse perspectives and perspectives on the experience of individuals with disabilities.”2 American history and civics education that does not include the stories and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) people—including LGBTQ+ people of color and people with disabilities—will fall short of the Department’s goal of “supporting teaching and learning that reflects the breadth and depth of our Nation’s diverse history and the vital role of diversity in our Nation’s democracy.”3 Similarly, classroom readings that continue to represent women as supporting actors and fail to represent women at the intersection of two or more marginalized identities will fall short of the Department’s worthy goal.4 Histories of racial, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic discrimination cannot be disentangled from histories of women and LGBTQ+ communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Trans Resources Helpful Organizations, Products, and Information
    Trans Resources Helpful Organizations, Products, and Information Contents Coming Out As Transgender ......................................................................................................................... 2 Transition ...................................................................................................................................................... 2 . DFAB Appearance ............................................................................................................................ 3 . DMAB Appearance ........................................................................................................................... 4 Healthcare, Hormones & Surgery ................................................................................................................. 5 Trans Rights ................................................................................................................................................... 7 Emergency/Crisis Support ............................................................................................................................. 8 Spiritual & Religious Support ........................................................................................................................ 9 Advocacy in Schools .................................................................................................................................... 10 Employment ...............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Transfeminisms
    Cáel M. Keegan—Sample syllabus (proposed) This is a proposed syllabus for an advanced WGSS seminar. Transfeminisms Course Overview:_________________________________________________ Description: Recent gains in visibility and recognition for transgender people have reactivated long- standing arguments over whether feminism can or should support trans rights, and whether transgender people should be considered feminist subjects. Rather than re- staging this decades-long debate as a zero-sum game, this course traces how—far from eradicating each other—“trans” and “feminist” share a co-constitutive history, each requiring and evolving the other. To quote Jack Halberstam from his talk "Why We Need a Transfeminism" at UC Santa Cruz in 2002, “Transgender is the gender trouble that feminism has been talking about all along.” We will explore the unfolding of the transfeminist imaginary from its roots in gay liberation and woman of color feminisms, through the sex wars of the 1970s and 80s, and into the 21st century. Throughout, we will examine a number of key points in feminist discourse and politics at which the paradoxical formation “transfeminism” becomes legible as a framework, necessity, legacy, or impending future. We will uncover transfeminist histories and grapple with the complexity of transfeminist communities, activisms, and relations. We will explore transfeminist world-building and practice our own transfeminist visions for the world. Required Text: Transgender Studies Quarterly, “Trans/Feminisms.” Eds. Susan Stryker and Talia Mae Bettcher. 3.1-2 (May 2016). The required text is available at the bookstore. All other readings are available via electronic reserve on Blackboard. Required Films: Films are on course reserve for viewing at the library.
    [Show full text]
  • Transgender Health Care in China
    TRANSGENDER HEALTH CARE IN CHINA Final Report & Recommendations Prepared for: Psychological Team for Trans People in China March 2019 Written by: Julia Dahlkemper, Benjamin Diaz, Feyi Lawanson Jeffrey Messina, Ebony Morris Supervised by: Brian Citro, Elise Rose Meyer TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 3 Recommendations Summary ....................................................................................................... 3 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 5 Background and History .............................................................................................................. 5 A. Definitions ................................................................................................................................... 5 B. History and Overview of Transgender Rights and Stigma in China ...................................... 5 i. Origins of Discrimination ................................................................................................................. 6 ii. Current Challenges .......................................................................................................................... 7 Current Laws, Policies and National Health Plans in China..................................................... 9 A. Access to Gender Affirming Health Services ..........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Male Sex Work in China: Understanding the HIV Risk Environments of Shenzhen’S Migrant Money Boys
    Male Sex Work in China: Understanding the HIV Risk Environments of Shenzhen’s Migrant Money Boys Paul Alexandre Bouanchaud The London School of Economics and Political Science A thesis submitted to the Department of Social Policy at the London School of Economics for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy June, 2014 1 Declaration of authorship I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the MPhil/PhD degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others (in which case the extent of any work carried out jointly by me and any other person is clearly identified in it). The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without my prior written consent. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. I declare that my thesis consists of 82,361 words. I can confirm that my thesis was copy edited for conventions of language, spelling and grammar by Emily Freeman, Louise Caffrey, Ellie Hukin, Oliver Mustill and Rachel Deacon. ______________________________ Paul Bouanchaud 2 Abstract This study contributes to our understanding of the social organisation and lived experience of men in China’s sex industry. It employs a social epidemiological model to analyse the multiple levels of influence on HIV (and other non-HIV) risks to which this highly marginalised group are exposed.
    [Show full text]
  • Trans Cinema and Its Exit Scapes Is the Doctoral Dissertation of Trans- Feminist Scholar and Berlin-Based Activist Wibke Straube
    Linköping Studies in Arts and Science No. 628 2014 Trans embodiment is a growing trope in contemporary film. Particularly since the early 1990s, trans images have become more widespread and frequent within popular culture. Films such as Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), Transamerica (2005), Romeos (2011) and Laurence Anyways (2012) have become well-known referents for what is here termed Trans Cinema and for broader cultural understanding of what it means to live in a gender- A Transfeminist Reading of dissident body. Utopian Sensibility and Gender Dissidence in Contemporary Film In conversation with recent transfeminist and queer theory as well as cul- Wibke Straube tural studies, this doctoral thesis by Wibke Straube sets out to investigate the utopian potential of Trans Cinema and makes a novel contribution to the emerging research field of transgender studies. The book offers an entrance to trans films by mapping out the so-called “exit scapes” that appear in scenic moments of dancing, singing or dreaming. These provide openings for alternative ways of imagining reality, and are thus key to the experiencing of trans-affirmative futures. Trans Cinema and iTs exiT sCapes is the doctoral dissertation of trans- feminist scholar and Berlin-based activist Wibke straube. Straube is also a researcher and teacher at Tema Genus (Gender studies), Department of Thematic Studies (Tema), Linköping University, Sweden. Linköping Studies in Arts and Science No. 628, 2014 Wibke Straube Wibke Department of Thematic Studies Gender Studies Linköping University SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden www.liu.se Buch_Wibke_final.indd 1 21.07.14 21:35 Linköping Studies in Arts and Science, No.
    [Show full text]