Abstract
In this paper I examine the role of authenticity within contemporary debates about gender identity with an eye to exploring the structure of sex and gender-based oppressions - with particular consideration with the marginalisation of trans subjects. I begin with a return to Butler's Gender Trouble to critically examine her ontology of gender and the suggestion that gender cannot be a matter of authenticity. Though this disagrees with the common schematic of trans identity mobilised within contemporary identity politics, this paper seeks to use this critique to provide a deeper explanation of trans oppression within the context of Butler's heterosexual matrix. The aim of this move is to situate trans struggles as central within philosophical feminist theory - whilst breaking from several of the shortcomings of contemporary identity ontology. These considerations will then be explored alongside Butler's work in Precarious Life, wherein the oppression of trans people will be explored in how these subjects bear a greater burden of authenticity - wherein trans genders are automatically regarded as authentic whereas cis genders remain unquestioned. This contextualises the rhetorical and ontological move adopted by many trans activists whereby they present gender as a matter of absolute and inviolable fact - which is incompatible with Butler's ontology of gender. Using bother of Butler's texts, we can regard this move as the pursuit of an impossible security, a move that serves to obscure the inauthenticity of gender overall. Instead, we are encouraged to embrace in inauthenticity of gender and to refuse to allow ourselves to sink into an economy of authenticity that marginalises trans subjects.
Highlights
Within this paper, I critically examine the role of authenticity within contemporary identity politics – with a particular focus on trans* identity politics
Excursions 9:1 wider systems of power. These discourses often remain squarely rooted within the framing of political liberalism, hamstringing their praxis solely to the acquisition of political rights at the expense of wider socio-political and cultural transformation
Due to their affiliation with political liberalism, such discourses often rely on a naïve account of the authentic self, variably constructing the self through various framings of the self as an object
Summary
I critically examine the role of authenticity within contemporary identity politics – with a particular focus on trans* identity politics. This collection of examples is by no means exhaustive, and my claim intends only to highlight a general trend that is noticeably present where power is discussed within relation to transgender identities - when these conversations draw (more or less directly) on the work of Michel Foucault, who shall be a primary reference for power within this paper.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
