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Transgender and Gender-Nonconformity
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From: Kathy Quimby <kmquimby_at_sover.net>
Date: Thu, 08 May 2014 18:04:14 -0400
I presented a workshop this past weekend at the New England SCBWI Conference that looked at this issue in YA literature.
When I surveyed the YA novels in preparation, it quickly became apparent that the dominant transgender story seems to be "born in the wrong body." It's so prevalent that back in March 2013, Drew Cordes dubbed it the
"Acceptable Trans Narrative" in this post to the Bilerico Project
(http://www.bilerico.com/2013/03/the_emergence_and_danger_of_the_acceptable_ trans_n.php). Of the 11 titles, six had transgender main characters, either as the narrator or the focus of the story (Luna, Jumpstart the World, I am J, Parrotfish, Almost Perfect, Beautiful Music for Ugly Children). The main characters of the remaining stories break down as: 1 cross dresser (Debbie Harry Sings in French) , 1 drag queen (Freak Show) , 1 questioning (Freak Boy). With the significant exception of Freak Boy, genderqueer or gender fluid characters seem to be limited to secondary roles (Sister Mischief, Jumpstart the World).
In light of the discussion on this list, it's interesting to see two transman characters in those "born in the wrong body" novels, because certainly as a society we do seem to be more focused on transwomen. But the bigger question for me is why we find it so much easier to think about transgender than about gender fluidity. I find the argument that it's about maintenance of the hierarchy persuasive.
On a side note, it has been interesting to watch people's reactions to my husband's profession. He has been a nurse for over 25 years. At first, people reliably noted that he was a "male nurse." It is only in the last ten years that patients no longer call attention to his gender. However, there is still some anxiety about it within the profession. Articles about being male in a female-dominated profession tend to include phrases such as: "man enough to do the job."
I should also add that pink was my favorite color when I was a girl-not that pale, washed out pastel pink, but the deep, warm rose. It wasn't that it was forced on me, because my mother's favorite color has always been blue, but I liked it. My daughter loved purple until some point in elementary school, when blue became her color of choice.
All of which is to say, this is a fascinating discussion. Thanks for letting me add my two cents.
Kathy
Katherine Quimby, MFA
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Received on Thu 08 May 2014 05:05:23 PM CDT
Date: Thu, 08 May 2014 18:04:14 -0400
I presented a workshop this past weekend at the New England SCBWI Conference that looked at this issue in YA literature.
When I surveyed the YA novels in preparation, it quickly became apparent that the dominant transgender story seems to be "born in the wrong body." It's so prevalent that back in March 2013, Drew Cordes dubbed it the
"Acceptable Trans Narrative" in this post to the Bilerico Project
(http://www.bilerico.com/2013/03/the_emergence_and_danger_of_the_acceptable_ trans_n.php). Of the 11 titles, six had transgender main characters, either as the narrator or the focus of the story (Luna, Jumpstart the World, I am J, Parrotfish, Almost Perfect, Beautiful Music for Ugly Children). The main characters of the remaining stories break down as: 1 cross dresser (Debbie Harry Sings in French) , 1 drag queen (Freak Show) , 1 questioning (Freak Boy). With the significant exception of Freak Boy, genderqueer or gender fluid characters seem to be limited to secondary roles (Sister Mischief, Jumpstart the World).
In light of the discussion on this list, it's interesting to see two transman characters in those "born in the wrong body" novels, because certainly as a society we do seem to be more focused on transwomen. But the bigger question for me is why we find it so much easier to think about transgender than about gender fluidity. I find the argument that it's about maintenance of the hierarchy persuasive.
On a side note, it has been interesting to watch people's reactions to my husband's profession. He has been a nurse for over 25 years. At first, people reliably noted that he was a "male nurse." It is only in the last ten years that patients no longer call attention to his gender. However, there is still some anxiety about it within the profession. Articles about being male in a female-dominated profession tend to include phrases such as: "man enough to do the job."
I should also add that pink was my favorite color when I was a girl-not that pale, washed out pastel pink, but the deep, warm rose. It wasn't that it was forced on me, because my mother's favorite color has always been blue, but I liked it. My daughter loved purple until some point in elementary school, when blue became her color of choice.
All of which is to say, this is a fascinating discussion. Thanks for letting me add my two cents.
Kathy
Katherine Quimby, MFA
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Received on Thu 08 May 2014 05:05:23 PM CDT
