The gender stereotype that I would like to research this semester is that all transmen were tomboys growing up, and all transwomen were 'girly'. I would also like to talk about how this stereotype is reinforced even within the queer/trans community. I'm especially interested in this because I find many of the trans/gender-variant people I that I talk to actually take pride in reinforcing these stereotypes, which I find strange in such an open and accepting community. I feel like if transpeople reinforce them then that leaves less room for fluidity, and can ultimately always make someone feel outlawed. I find it weird that there would be reinforcement of gender stereotyping in a community that is so against the gender binary theory.
An example of how this stereotype is reinforced within the trans community is when let's say a transman says something like, "I played with legos and dirt growing up, so you could see the signs of me being trans early". While they are trying to relate to things that society would see as "male", to prove that they are "really a guy", they are also reinforcing that there are "boy behaviors" and "girl behaviors". This makes it seem like some transmen who, like me, grew up with barbie's and played with dolls aren't "really" a guy.
I'm a big fan of youtube, so heres a video that talks a little about this stereotype if you skip to the 5th minute!
I really like the idea behind your choice of gender stereotype because it's something I don't think many people realize on a day to day basis but it's definitely a very important issue. Good work =]
ReplyDeletei really like your choice in stereotypes i can't wait to see how it plays out. It is intresting that this stereotype even exsists because it is such a strange double standard. None transgender females can be a bit masculine and not be judged, while non trans boys can't really do anything more feminine without being judged, and i do understand what you mean by trans people being happy to live up to that stereotype but in a way it makes things more ridged and less fluid, to say all trans women love girly things and all trans men love manly things (i hope i got that right, sometimes i get terminology mixed up so if i did i apologize)i loved the video it was really cool!
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