marti has written a post on the transgender vs transgendered “controversy” over on transadvocate (though since i’m now on the same domain, i don’t know that the “over on…” terminology is correct anymore). i’ve expressed my dissatisfaction with trans terminology in general many times in the past. in fact, i’d go as far as to say that i take issue with the term “trans” anything regarding those people, such as myself, who live outside the male/female dichotomy.
“trans-” as a prefix is defined as “across or through” by dictionary.com as well as most other dictionaries. scrolling down the page, it’s further defined by the american heritage stedman’s medical dictionary as a prefix as follows:
1. Across; on the other side; beyond: transilient.
2. Through: transpiration.
3. Change; transfer: transketolation.
4. Having a pair of identical atoms on opposite sides of two atoms linked by a double bond. Used of a geometric isomer. Usually in italic: trans-butene.
and as an adjective:
Having two genes, each carrying a mutation, located on opposite chromosomes of a homologous pair. Often italic.
all of these definitions frame the term trans in the context of a binary. and since trans refers to sex and/or gender (another set of terms that disturb me greatly), the presumption is that the general population of humans can be unequivocally divided into two sexes. that one is either male or female, that everyone is either male or female wholly, that no one exists outside the state of being male or female, and that the states of being male or female can be completely defined medically, scientifically, legally, socially, and any other “-ally” that controls our lives.
and unless you’ve bought into the brainwashing that suggests god created “adam and eve, male and female” only, and you’ve had your eyes and ears closed singing “la, la, la” while example after example passes by, we all know that the sex binary is totally false.
so i’ll take the transgender vs transgendered discussion a step further and object to both terms as being totally inaccurate and perpetuating false and harmful stereotypes.
in the mean time, i use “trans” as a noun to describe myself, only because people seem to know what i’m talking about. yet, if isna can lobby to change the term “intersex” to “disorders of sex development (DSDs)”, we ought to be able to come up with a term that at least describes who we are in a medically accurate and socially unstigmatized fashion.
At the risk of sticking out my neck, I don’t see the problem with the existence of some sort of binary. Most people see themselves as either men or women and most people have sets of character traits that are roughly defined as masculine or feminine.
IMO, the problem is not with acknowledging a binary, but rather with:
1) Ignoring the massive variation around the two poles
2) Insisting that all traits are masculine or feminine, and not simply human
3) Insisting that all masculine traits are the “opposite” of feminine traits
4) Insisting that the natural order of things is for all people to have bodies that are “perfectly” male or female, and for all persons to possess character traits that correspond to their sexed-bodies.
Comment by eastsidekate — May 24, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
the problem is, when sex is framed as a binary, the stereotypes which you outline in your numbered list are supported and perpetuated. humans tend to see binary patterns, even if the binary is false. and while for reproductive sex, there is, in fact, a binary - either you produce eggs or sperm, and you need one of each to reproduce - many humans cannot reproduce.*
i agree that the items in your list are a problem, but i think it would be more difficult to eliminate the problems associated with binary thinking in regard to sex, than simply eliminating gender as a binary.
*though there is progress in scientific research that suggests the whole “you need a sperm and egg to make a baby” thing may no longer be true either.
Comment by nexy — May 24, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
I’ve always liked ‘trans’ as a short form of transgressive rather than/simultaneous with the through/across/between meanings of the trans- prefix. It’s a personal sort of definition, but what the hell.
Comment by Moira — June 5, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
I think “genderqueer” is becoming more popular as “third category.” I like it because it shows the affinity with other queers, and it’s loose enough to include a multiplicity of gendered positions (surgery? hormones? none?)..
And yeah, I use both trans and genderqueer to describe myself.
Comment by queen emily — June 11, 2007 @ 11:26 pm