Narratives of Trans people in the workplace: Possibilities for subverting the Heterosexual matrix

Abstract

The article is inspired by the use of the term subversion in Chambers and Carver’s comments of Judy Butler’s work and it aims to explore the possibility of subversion of gender matrix by some trans people in the workplace. The article grounds its argument in queer theory and in the notions of gender performativity, hetero gender matrix and heteronormativity and analysis qualitative material generated through conversations with trans people working in Italy. Drawing on insights from Judith Butler’s writing on gender we present, analyze and discuss three employees’ cases (Alessandra, Gabriel and Lucia) to grasp how they construct (un)intelligible subject positions which potentially subvert disciplinary powerful and normative idea of gender. In the analysis we focus on how these trans people –through their narratives, their body, their actions, their practices…– within their heteronormative workplace contexts potentially subvert gender and heterosexual matrix. We highlight three possible ways of subversion – subversion through wondrous; subversion through incoherence; subversion through betray. In the conclusion we connect the idea of potential subversion with the concept of unheimlich which can open up site/sights in organization/organizing processes.