Transgender Theory for Contemporary Social Work Practice: a Question of Values and Ethics Heidi P
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Transgender Theory for Contemporary Social Work Practice: A Question of Values and Ethics Heidi P. Breaux, DSW candidate Tulane University [email protected] Bruce A. Thyer, Ph.D. Florida State University [email protected] Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Volume 18, Number 1 (2021) Copyright 2021, ASWB This text may be freely shared among individuals, but it may not be republished in any medium without express written consent from the authors and advance notification ofASWB. Abstract Modern transgender theory hypothesizes that by Transgender theory was developed to explain pushing towards adopting a stronger understanding the existence of transgender and gender diverse of intersectionality and marginalized gender people and takes into account their lived identities, American culture will see a reduction in experiences including how they interact within oppression and an increase in more opportunities their environment. The transgender theory model for transgender and gender diverse people not only centers gender fluidity over biology and views to survive, but to thrive. each individual as the expert on their own gender without suggesting pathology or deviance. This Keywords: transgender, gender, LGBTQIA+, queer, theory breaks away by spilling over the limited theory paradigm that queer theory and feminist theory have to offer. Contemporary transgender theory Introduction asserts all transgender and gender diverse identities The word transgender in transgender are valid and moves toward adapting a cisgender theory is meant to encompass many identities dominant culture. Simply acknowledging that including transgender men, transgender women, transgender and gender diverse people exist, has gender queer, gender diverse, nonbinary, agender, become not enough for today’s society. Exploring bigender, genderfluid, genderless, polygender, two- the history of transgender theory provides clear spirit individuals, and many more. Intersex people evidence of this evolution and creates a trajectory may also identify as transgender or cisgender. for cisgender dominant society that moves closer Transgender is typically used as an umbrella term to the same one the transgender community has for to mean anyone who self identifies or expresses themselves. Learning culture competency practices themselves as something different than their sex can leave a clinician limited in truly understanding assigned at birth (Bockting, 1999). It is important to the needs of transgender and gender diverse note that labels such as transsexual and transvestite people. Exploring ones value system and how this are outdated terms and were originally used in is applied within social work practice is needed to a binary manner (Vidal-Ortiz, 2008). However, present a true affirming framework that upholds these terms should not be used unless a person the guiding principles on gender identity and requests them. Other antiquated terms include expression set forth in the NASW Code of Ethics. “tranny,” should never be used by cisgender people Journal of Social Work Values & Ethics, Spring 2021, Vol. 18, No. 1 - page 72 Transgender Theory for Contemporary Social Work Practice: A Question of Values and Ethics to describe someone’s gender identity (Merriam- of indigenous Native American descent (Indian Webster.com, 2020b). The only exception may be Health Resources, 2019). Therefore, Roen linked for other transgender people to communicate with the origins of transphobia intrinsically to the first each other with permission. The concept of gender colonization of the United States and continuing transition is seen in the community as a lifelong thereafter. Transgender theory written by Roen in process with no distinct – beginning, middle, or end the article “Transgender Theory and Embodiment: stages. Terminology that means or implies absolutes, The Risk of Racial Marginalization” (2001) was such as “transformation,” “transitioning,” “used to true for the times as the ballroom culture of the be,” or a combination of both male and female, 1920s became more mainstream in the 1990s and should also be avoided unless person is referring to continued into the early 2000s. It was colonized themselves or “socially transitioning.” Transgender by white powerhouses in the music industry such theory is used to explain transgender identities as Madonna. The embracing attitude the cisgender and lived experience (Nagoshi & Brzuzy, 2010). white male gay community demonstrated towards A transgender person might prefer to focus on the her rendition of “Vogue” was reminiscent and experiential so they may identify as a man, woman, familiar to the transgender community and queer or person of transgender experience as opposed to communities of color who had been pushed aside, a transgender woman. Both focus on separating just like Latinx and Black transgender trailblazers gender from sexual orientation. However, some Silvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson were in the people prefer to say they are a person of transgender Stonewall Movement (Goodman, 2019; Brown, experience, as opposed to an identifier which is 2019). stated before their gender. Transgender theory derived from queer theory and feminist theory. It is the idea that Origins of Life and Theory each individual is the expert on their own gender, Evidence of transgender life experiences gender experience, and ultimately has autonomy have been found in texts that date back more than over their own body. Within the social work field, 4500 years ago to ancient Mesopotamia (Enki & sorting out which personal identities are fixed and Ninmah, 2019). In the United States in 1895 a self- which are not, has been a challenge. Oftentimes identified group that emerged in New York and this can be where one’s political views influence named themselves the Cercle Hermaphroditos was their social work practice. Yet, recognizing which the first transgender advocacy group (Katz, 1976). are fixed and those that can be self-identified has Transgender theory developed from Roen in 2001, provided empowerment to marginalized groups and and included the idea that gender is fluid while still individuals. Transgender theory goes beyond its maintaining a binary system. Roen explored how basis of feminist theory and queer theory to look at the lived experience of transgender individuals gender fluidity, lived experiences, social constructs were distinct from queer theory and that this was of gender, and the person being the expert on especially true when looking at the intersectionality their own gender (Nagoshi & Brzuzy, 2010). In of race. Transphobia, according to Roen (2001), this theory, someone’s identity should always be was traced this back to the colonization of Black, respected, but is not seen as permanent and can Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in the change at any time. Therefore, a conflict is posed United States. Two-Spirit people have always with feminist theory and queer theory that would existed in Native American families and have assume identities to be stagnant. Feminist theory been regarded as a third gender—neither man challenged patriarchal dominance by believing that nor woman. The term two-spirit is an umbrella the male body is not stronger or more valuable than term used to describe sexual orientation, gender the female body. However, they were talking about identity, gender expression, and intersex people cisgender people, and feminists started to wonder Journal of Social Work Values & Ethics, Spring 2021, Vol. 18, No. 1 - page 73 Transgender Theory for Contemporary Social Work Practice: A Question of Values and Ethics if not upholding equity in all aspects was against are not rebellious, and their gender identities are its own moral compass (Becker, 1999). This also true and valid (Hird, 2002). This was formulated created a stark gender binary, which does not fit with the foundation set-forth by Kate Bornstein in with many different transgender identities. Where her book, Gender Outlaws (2016), which stated feminist theory says – women are not inferior; that gender variance or fluidity is not intrinsically transgender theory asks – how do you know they deviant, although society views it as such. Julia are women? While feminist theory worked to dispel Serano then wrote Whipping Girl: A Transsexual ideas of a superior gender, queer theory emerged Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of in contrast pushing against heteronormative ideals Femininity (2007), a book that further questioned and assumptions. It was formed to view non- the mismatch of transgender and gender diverse heteronormative identities and relationships as identities with feminist theory by exploring equally legitimate, instead of rebellious and deviant. the prevalence of objectification and misogyny However, queer theory leaves out viewing gender as towards transgender women. Shotwell and Sangrey different than sex assigned at birth, and a separately expanded the understanding of transgender theory oppressed marginalized identity intersecting with to mean, the lived experience of transgender people sexual orientation. is different than that of cisgender individuals. In In the mid-1960s, the full book I Changed the article “Open Normativities: Gender, Disability My Sex! was written by Hedy Jo Star (1963). Then and Collective Political Change” (2012), Shotwell the most well-known book, often considered the clearly described how another theory is needed first notable work, was Christine Jorgensen’s 1967 outside of queer theory and feminist theory because autobiography.