TRANSEXUAL “WOMANHOOD” AND THE EMERGENCE OF TRANSFEMINISM: RHETORICS OF HIV/AIDS IN THE LIGHT OF THE QUEER THEORY

Paula Daniella de Abreu,Claudia Benedita dos Santos,Josueida de Carvalho Sousa,Jefferson Wildes da Silva Moura,Ednaldo Cavalcante de Araújo,Eliane Maria Ribeiro de Vasconcelos

doi:10.1590/1980-265x-tce-2018-0294

Paula Daniella de Abreu, Claudia Benedita dos Santos + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-265x-tce-2018-0294

Copy DOI

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the female transsexual identity and the emergence of transfeminism through the context of vulnerability to HIV / AIDS in light of the Queer Theory. Method: a qualitative, descriptive, exploratory study based on the Queer Theory, carried out in a reference hospital for HIV/AIDS in the State of Pernambuco (Brazil), developed with six young transsexual women. The interviews were analyzed in the IRaMuTeQ software via the similarity analysis method. Results: the relation of male domination through the subordination of the transsexual woman, which originates in the binary, sexist and male chauvinistic heteronormative model, is emphasized. The context of vulnerability to HIV / AIDS is evidenced as a naturalized phenomenon of violence to the young "queer" woman, especially with precarious living conditions, history of family rejection, sexual violence and informal prostitution work. Lack of support from the social network and the imminent risk of transphobic violence result in damage to their physical and mental integrity. The following categories were observed: Emergence of transfeminism through symbolic violence and female transsexual identity and the context of vulnerability. Conclusion: the social impacts of the minimal state policy, social class cohesion (binarism, sexism, racism and male chauvinism), unequal social capital and culture of abjection of transsexual women reflect the context of the HIV / AIDS epidemic and inequalities that result in individual, contextual and programmatic vulnerability and in factors which limit the attainment of a healthy life.

Highlights

The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is a disease that arose in 1980 in the United States of America (USA) and in 1982 in Brazil, as a dreaded disease considered lethal, and which over time stigmatized the Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) population, due to the significant number of cases in such populations.[1]It can be seen that the representation of AIDS is associated with different ways of dealing with the chronicity of the disease
It is clear that with Antiretroviral (ARV) advances, disease control is more present and the stereotype of those living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS has been changing
The six transsexual women living with HIV/AIDS had an average age of 21.6 years

Summary

Introduction

It can be seen that the representation of AIDS is associated with different ways of dealing with the chronicity of the disease. It is noted that the syndrome for some people is still centered on social taboos, fear and finitude of life, anchored, for example, in the images of contemporary idols like Cazuza. It is clear that with Antiretroviral (ARV) advances, disease control is more present and the stereotype of those living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS has been changing. The social construction of AIDS is shown to certain social groups divergent from heteronormativity and associated with lifestyles considered as deviant, the bodies and expressions of “queer” people.[4] The abjection of social beings, considered outside of normative standards, the term “queer being and thinking” originated. Queer means: strange, provocative, exotic, uncomfortable and fascinating, this term includes transsexual women as “subject to deviant sexuality.” 5

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion