Synthesis

At the start of this blog, I framed my reflection and research with a question: what is the relationship between masculinity and transphobia? I found that this is a complicated question to answer. To conclude the explorations that I have engaged in here, I would like to first summarize and synthesize what I have learned.

The hegemonic construction of masculinity has a vested interest in upholding the gender binary and a biologically-deterministic definition of gender. It is from this binary system that men enacting hegemonic forms of masculinity derive their privilege. For some, the existence of trans identities threatens this fundamental construction of gender that is both exclusively binary and cisgender; a construction which puts men at the top of a gender hierarchy. The existence of trans individuals, then, threatens the privilege some men receive from upholding this construction.

I explored two distinct means in which dominant Western society seeks to uphold this construction through suppression of trans identities. I first looked at media representations of trans feminine identities. What I discovered was that conventional media (which often embodies hegemonic social structures) has consistently relied on stereotypes to depict these individuals (see "Pathetic and Deceptive"). This pattern does not just inaccurately represent the realities of trans feminine identifying individuals, it also serves to stigmatized and marginalize those identities. The dominant media may not be directly targeting these individuals, but these individuals are directly impacted by the misrepresentation.

I was shocked to learn that according to a 2015 survey all identified perpetrators of fatal violent crimes against transgender individuals were men. At face value, this statistic indicated to me that actions of transphobia were irrefutably linked to constructions of masculinity. I turned to academic studies which analyzed this relationship and which confirmed many of my suspicions regarding the connection. Briefly, these studies revealed that actions of transphobia can been linked to the male perpetrator’s interest in maintaining and performing his masculinity in line with the dominant construction of gender. However, I also found that while the research is available, there is much left to be studied from a sociological standpoint.

My exploration helped me understand more about masculinities. I learned that studying masculinities from the perspective of my issue can help to reveal larger social mechanisms of gender. I have come to understand that constructions of masculinity have a direct impact on other identities—that these constructions are relational. I’ve learned how the construction of gender simultaneously occurs on an individual and collective level. I also came to recognize how gender is embedded in institutions like the education system, the government, or the conventional media industry. From the standpoint of my analysis, we can see how hegemonic constructions of masculinity seek to uphold specific social configurations of gender that perpetuate their privilege and which marginalize other identities.

Having identified how the patterns and functionings of hegemonic masculinity, and the constructions and institutions of gender connect to transphobia; I will now focus on what I believe needs to change. Since the advent of transgender social movements in the 60s, there has been a social, political, and cultural movement toward progressive acceptance and normalization of trans identities. While this movement has been slow and often nonlinear, the overall trend represents a steady increase in collective societal awareness and acceptance of trans identities. Scholars such as Susan Stryker have argued that this growing awareness, which has multiplied exponentially since the advent of the digital age, has culminated in what is referred to in sociology as the tipping point. Writer and journalist Malcom Gladwell defines the tipping point as, “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.” Gladwell argues that at the center of societal tipping points is the possibility for sudden social change.

To help conceptualize this notion, I think of the comparable, sometimes overlapping (albeit, inherently different) struggle for gay rights in the US. The social progression toward visibility of non-hetero sexualities (again slow and nonlinear) culminated in widespread awareness and societal acceptance of these identities marked by changes in social institutions—for example, the 2015 Supreme Court upholding of same-sex marriage. I do not mean to suggest that non-heterosexual orientations have complete social acceptance, however the trend towards acceptance can be demonstrated in this case.

Despite the mass visibility of trans identities, I would suggest that the tipping point has not yet been reached. The pattern of growing recognition and acceptance of trans identities in social institutions is now being challenged in the current political era under the Trump presidency. There is an active resistance to social acceptance of trans identities, perhaps best exemplified by the trajectory of the Trump administration to change the definition of sex under Title IX. We are in a time in which familiarity of trans issues and identities is relatively high, and yet there persists an ignorance about the actual realities of being trans in America. To reconcile these facts, we must actively seek to educate and advocate for social acceptance of trans identities.

First and foremost, it is imperative that we protect trans lives now. We are under attack both by explicit transphobia and implicit institutionalized discrimination. We are likely to face discrimination based on our gender identity that might begin in our homes, and follow us to our schools and workplaces. We face discrimination in housing. We struggle to get gender-affirming care covered by insurance companies (if we have insurance at all). We (and especially trans women of color) are at risk of harassment and assault on a daily basis. Before we can actualize large-scale social change, we have a responsibility to care for the basic needs of trans individuals. This means supporting local transgender advocacy groups who will allocate resources for the specific needs of their communities. Here in Seattle, for example, groups like Ingersoll Gender Center, Lambert House, and the Gender Justice League all provide resources and services directly to and for the transgender community: for example, by creating trans/queer friendly community spaces, helping individuals find affordable healthcare, amend their identity documents, find safe housing, and jobs.

It is critical that we have representation in local, state, and national governments by supporting candidates who will advocate for the rights and protections of their trans communities. This means electing individuals who will stand up for marginalized communities (and better yet, come from those communities) and sponsor legislative action that will fight gender-based discrimination. We must demand better representation in media to alleviate the stigma created by negative stereotypes. We must ask individuals to be critical of hegemonic constructions of gender by promoting accessible education on gender studies. We must also promote accessible education of transgender identities, histories, and issues that have largely been left out of conventional academic consideration until relatively recently. I believe that the normalization of trans identities—like the normalization of non-hetero sexual orientations—will go a long way in decreasing transphobic attitudes and ultimately lead to a society that is more understanding and accepting.

Advocating for the safety of trans individuals should also start with a discussion about constructions of masculinity. Boys and men must be more aware of their own place within the social hierarchy of gender and the privilege which they derive from that structure. Perhaps through education and self-reflection, men can become less beholden to the dominant construction of masculinity. It is my hope that men can learn that showing kindness and sensitivity toward trans folks; that advocating for trans rights; that loving and being in relationships with trans individuals does not undermine their masculinity.

(1250 words)