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HU-129

This course introduces some of the key aspects of GenderQueer identity, life and culture. This course will not only touch on Gender Queer issues as a broad subject, however it will also take more focused looks at other factors that influence the life and experience of Gender Queer individuals (race, class, etc.) The term GenderQueer will be used throughout the syllabus to represent persons who identify as transgender, transsexual, intersexed, transvestite, etc., however throughout the course we will be using the specific terminology whenever possible. Students taking this course are expected to have already taken a course on gender; This course does not focus on gender as a broad subject, but rather the "binaries" of gender and anatomical sex as their borders are challanged, critically analyzed and transgressed.

The individual class titles indicate the specific topic within the study of GenderQueer identity that we will be focusing on for the particular day. The objectives of the course will be fulfilled by a thorough, critical analysis of the texts assigned for the course. In addition to the readings, there will be films show in class as well as lectures and discussions from two speakers who work with and identify with the Trans community. There will be a mini-film series throughout the beginning of the semester in which thre will be showings of five different movies that relate to the issues being discussed in the course. (see more under Film Series)

This course will explore a broad range of topics that have a significant impact within the GenderQueer culture and community: Transphobia, the (psychiatric) medicalization of gender identity, the impact of a GenderQueer identity on family, etc. Objectives will be further clarified during class discussions, however the following are some basic questions to get students thinking. By the end of the course, students should have a firm understanding of how to properly address the following questions:

• What is the link between the LGB (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual) and T (Transgender/Transsexual/GenderQueer) movements? Is it possible for there to be a strong committment between the two groups to work together in their struggles? How do the struggles between persons with a queer gender identity and a queer sexual identity differ? How do they relate? Is it possible for either of the movements to succeed without the help of the other? And finally, what are the historical reasons for persons with a queer gender identity and a queer sexual identity being categorized together in (seemingly) the same movement?
• Identify the ways in which socialization has placed an intense stigma on persons who identify as GenderQueer. How has this pervasive socialization been responsible for the treatment of GenderQueer individuals in medicine, the media, legislation, etc.?
• What are the links between gender role socialization and Transphobia? Is transphobia a direct result of strict gender socialization? What seems to be the logic (if any) behind the violence targetted at GenderQueer individuals?
• How is the emphasis on the responsibilty of a person to adhere to the gender that is associated to their anatomical sex detrimental to the lives of GenderQueer individuals (and everyone else, too)? What type of transformation would need to occur, on both an individual and a collective societal level, in order to overcome such socialization? What role(s) do people who identify as GenderQueer have in both rebbling against and reinforcing gender role norms?
• What happens to the binaries of traditional gender (masculine and feminine) when people identify as GenderQueer or "Other"? Furthermore, what happens to traditional views of sexuality and sexual orientation? In a society in which individuals express the gender of "Other" is it possible to rely solely on the categories of heterosexual, bisexual and gay/lesbian?
• What role do the barriers of transforming the body play in the lives of GenderQueer individuals? How does it affect society and non-GenderQueer individuals, too?
• Why is it so important to know a persons sex and/or gender? What type of categorizing are we taught growing up that immediately forces us to feel the need to categorize and label other people (and ourselves)? How would it affect society to reach Leslie Feinberg's utopian state of "Tranliberation"? In what ways would GenderQueer individuals benefit? How would the rest of society benefit?

There will be a mini-film series for this course beginning in February and running through until the middle of the semester. Thus far, there have been only five movies selected for the series (see schedule below) however additional movie suggestions would be appreciated.* Students are not required to attend all of the films, however, they must attend at least one as there will be one mandatory assignment due based on any one of the movies. Students may complete more than one movie assignment (on different movies) for extra credit (with previous permission of the instructor). If students cannot attend the series to to a work or class conflict, they are expected to either rent one of the movies from a video rental store or to check out the movie from e-reserve, where it will remain for the length of the semester.

*Extra Credit Opportunity: Students who suggest a film may receive extra credit for "hosting" the film for the evening. This would involve introducing the film and holding a brief discussion afterwards. Note: The topics addressed during the discussion must be relevant to both the movie and the topics discussed during the course. A discussion outline must be approved by the facilitator before the movie is scheduled to be shown.

January 27 -- Introduction to the Course

Film: Ma Vie en Rose

February 3 -- Trans 101

• The Gender Frontier, Introduction, Decisive and Diverse, Gender Rights are Human Rights, and Opening Eyes, Opening Minds
• Transgender Warriors, Part 5 (Portrait Gallery)
• Gender Outlaw, chapters 2, 4, 11 & 12

  Speaker

February 10 -- Trans Identity Throughout History

• Transgender Warriors, chapters 3, 4 & 5
• Introduction and Preface to Christine Jorgensen Story: A Personal Autobiography (CP)
• "The Celebration of Differenc: The Institution of the Berdache among Native Americans" from Becoming Visible (CP)

February 17

Classes Suspended (per Academic Calendar)

February 24 -- Queer Theory

• Transliberation, chapter 2
• "Tragic Misreadings: Queer Theory's Erasure of Transgender Subjectivity" by V. K. Namaste
• "Blending Genders: Contributions to the Emerging Field of Transgender Studies" by Richard Ekins, Ph.D and Dave King, Ph.D from IJT (CP)
• "Transgenderism and the Concept of Gender" by Vern L. Bullough from IJT (CP)

• "Who put the "Trans" in Transgender?
  Gender Theory and Everyday Life " by Suzanne Kessler and Wendy McKenna from IJT (CP)

March 2 -- Transphobia

• Transgender Warriors, chapter 8
• Gender Outlaw, chapter 6 & 8

  Film: The Brandon Teena Story

March 9 -- Transphobia

• Sex Changes: Transgender Politics, chapter 3 & 4

March 16 -- Coming Out

• Stone Butch Blues
• Sex Changes, chapter 6
• "Transsexuals' Children" by Green R. from IJT (CP)

  Speaker

March 23 -- (Psychiatric) Medicalization of Gender Identity

• Gender Identity Disorder from the DSM-IV-TR (CP)
• Homosexuality from the DSM (CP)
• "Trans (Homo) Sexuality? Double Inversion, Psychiatric Confusion, and Hetero-Hegemony" by Vernon A. Rosario II (CP)
• The Last Time I Wore a Dress

March 30 --Transforming the Body

• The Gender Frontier p. 132-139
• Gender Outlaw, chapter 3
• "Transgender Individuals' Experiences of Psychotherapy" by Katherine Rachlin from IJT (CP)
• "Hormonal Sex Reassignment" by Louis J. G. Gooren from IJT (CP)
  

• "Beginnings of Sex Reassignment Surgery in Japan" by Takamatsu Ako (et. al) from IJT (CP) Note: There are several images of surgery in this article. If you are squeamish, you do not have to view the pictures, however please do read the article.

April 6

Class Cancelled (Spring Break)

April 13 -- Legislation

• Transgender Warriors, Appendix A
• The Sylvia Rivera Law Project Homepage (www.srlp.org)
• "Hernandez-Montiel v. I.N.S" (CP)
• "Sex, Gender, and Transgender: The Present and Future of Employment Discrimination Law" by Marvin Dunson III (CP)
• SONDA (CP)
• GENDA (CP)
• "Updated Look at Legal Responses to Transsexualism: Especially Three Marriage Cases in U.K., U.S. and New Zealand" by Louis H. Swartz, Ph.D. from IJT (CP

• The Gender Frontier, Gender Rights are Human Rights (view pictures up through page 60), p. 128-129
• Transgender Warriors, chapter 12, 14, & 15
• Sex Changes: Transgender Politics, chapter 7 & 8
• Transliberation, chapter 1 & 6