University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2015-05-22 Queer and Poliical: Exploring Transgender Resistance Dolcecore, Susan Dolcecore, S. (2015). Queer and Poliical: Exploring Transgender Resistance (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27515 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/2265 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Queer and Political: Exploring Transgender Resistance by Susan Dolcecore A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS OF SOCIAL WORK GRADUATE PROGRAM IN SOCIAL WORK CALGARY, ALBERTA MAY 2015 © Susan Dolcecore, 2015 Abstract This qualitative study investigated forms of oppression and resistance among transgender individuals. This constructivist grounded theory study answered these research questions: (1) how does oppression affect self-identified transgender individual’s performance of gender, and (2) how does gender performance illustrate collective and individual forms of resistance? The author interviewed 14 transgender individuals living in Canada about their lived experiences with oppression and resistance. The exploration of this phenomenon was encompassed human experience, social environments, and the complexity of life illustrated by those directly experiencing oppression as transgender individuals. The performance of gender describes the use masculine, feminine and gender neutral qualities to express identity. This study suggests that transgender resistance is a method for overcoming one’s vulnerability related to traditional gender discourses. The use of resistance provides a way for radical self-determination, one that helps in promoting authenticity and solidarity with others in the trans and queer community. ii Preface In order to honor the identities of the participants in this study, this document uses gender-neutral pronouns such as they or their, instead of traditional he/she or his/her. For the purposes of this study the term queer will be used to describe the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, 2-spirited, queer, questing, intersex and asexual (LGBT2QQIA) community. There are two reasons for this: to use queer as an umbrella term in a manner that helps recognize the diversity within this population, and to draw from queer theory, which was the philosophical lens for this project. Queer describes those who are not willing to fit into traditional categories and who desire to change attitudes towards gender and sex that cause different forms of discrimination. Queer identity does incorporate a political silver lining, which supports the desire to change the roots of oppression affecting diverse sexualities and genders. Furthermore, using the word queer is a form of reclaiming derogatory terminology, and acknowledging a history that demonstrates the ongoing battle of surviving and fighting oppression. iii Acknowledgements Before all else, I want to acknowledge all the participants who volunteered for this study. I would also like to acknowledge as a white transman, able-bodied, educated, and middle class citizen, I am privileged and aspire to use these social locations for the better good. The acknowledgement of my social positions is crucial to the nature of this study. A very special thank you to my father Giuseppe and mother Helena, for your unconditional love. A very special thank you to my brother Enrico, sister-in-law Christine, and niece Ellianna, for showing me that family offers unlimited encouragement. To the University of Calgary, thank you for the opportunity to grow academically and for the acknowledgement of my efforts. In particular, I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. Christine Walsh, for the support, responsiveness, and inspiration over the years. I would like to acknowledge the following people: 1. The Calgary Dyke March, Calgary OUTlink, and all the queer agencies in Canada. 2. To Ellen Jamieson for her professional edits. 3. For academic influence: Dr. Hieu Van Ngo, Dr. Sally St. George, Dr. Jessica Ayala, Dr. Mishka Lysack, Dr. Lana Wells, Dr. Margaret Williams, Dr. Dan Wulff, Dr. Carol Tom, Dr. Carmen Logie, Manuel (Les) Jerome, Dr. David Este, Dr. Jackie Sieppert, Dr. Ryan Geake, and Dr. Jennifer Hewson, and Dr. Ellen Perrault. 4. To my loving partner, Jillian, without your love, patience and kindness I would have never been able to accomplish the things I have. To my friends, thank you and I love you for all you have done and all you continue to do. iv Dedication To my Grandmother, Sousanna Pandermali, thank you for checking beneath the bed for monsters before and after every bedtime story. Your patience and unconditional love raised me to become as passionate as the hero’s in your stories: “If you’re angry then yell, if you’re happy then laugh, if you’re sad then cry. Whatever you do, just be authentic, genuine, and you” Sousanna Pandermali (in loving memory 1920 - 2007). v Table of Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................................. ii Preface ............................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... iv Dedication .......................................................................................................................... v Epigraph ........................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 1 Purpose, Research Questions, and Definitions ........................................................... 1 Oppression………………………………………………………………………...2 Sex and gender………………………………………………………………….....4 Sexual marginalization…………………………………………………………….5 Gender and sexual fluidity………………………………………………………...7 Trans spectrum of identity………………………………………………………...8 Queer and trans definition…………………………………………………………9 Resilience………………………………………………………………………...10 Resistance…………………………………………………………………..........12 Researcher’s Perspective ............................................................................................ 15 Chapters at a Glance .................................................................................................. 17 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................................. 19 What is Queer? ............................................................................................................ 19 Homonormativity. ……………………………………………………………….20 Subjectivity…………………………………………………………………........27 Identity Politics…………………………………………………………………..32 Trans Oppression in Canada ..................................................................................... 37 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………43 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ..................................................................... 45 What is Grounded Theory? ....................................................................................... 45 Constructivist Grounded Theory .............................................................................. 49 Critical Worldview ...................................................................................................... 49 Queer Theory .............................................................................................................. 50 Queer theory and constructivism………………………………………………...52 Queer theory and identity………………………………………………………...55 Social Work and Grounded Theory .......................................................................... 56 Research Participants ................................................................................................. 58 Recruitment and Theoretical Sampling .................................................................... 59 Theoretical sampling……………………………………………………………..63 Theoretical sensitivity………...………………………………………………….64 Genderqueer Identity ................................................................................................. 67 Semi-Structured Interviews ....................................................................................... 67 Memo writing…………………………………………………………………….68 Questions…………………………………………………………………………69 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................... 71 vi Coding……………………………………………………………………………72 Trustworthiness ........................................................................................................... 74 Ethics ............................................................................................................................ 77 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS ..................................................................................... 79 Interconnection Between Vulnerability and Resistance .......................................... 80 Discovering Transgender