Advisor Information
Karen Falconer Al-Hindi
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
26-3-2021 12:00 AM
End Date
26-3-2021 12:00 AM
Abstract
For some, the idea of any gender other than male/man or female/woman is incomprehensible. For others, gender is seen as a spectrum where individuals flow between man, woman, or somewhere in between. Most live in the gray area where it is recognized that two sexes and two genders exist with a little leeway for variances. The gender binary is a pervasive social construct that limits society due to the refusal of some to accept nonconforming individuals into the feminist umbrella of inclusivity. In this paper, I argue that rather than a binary, gender should be accepted as a spectrum due to the existence of more than two identities on a biological and psychological level. By exploring the history of intersex, transgender, and nonbinary folx, it is evident that the historical oppression of these people has continued into present day, even among and within feminist communities. In order to end this cycle of oppression, gender nonconforming individuals and all those who identify as a woman must be included in the feminist narrative. Continued reliance on the archaic definition of women specific to biological females impoverishes individuals, families, and communities. In order for the future of women to be triumphant, all women must be included.
Included in
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Commons, Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons
Two Sides to Every Coin: Analyzing the Historical Perspectives of Gender Nonconforming Individuals in America
For some, the idea of any gender other than male/man or female/woman is incomprehensible. For others, gender is seen as a spectrum where individuals flow between man, woman, or somewhere in between. Most live in the gray area where it is recognized that two sexes and two genders exist with a little leeway for variances. The gender binary is a pervasive social construct that limits society due to the refusal of some to accept nonconforming individuals into the feminist umbrella of inclusivity. In this paper, I argue that rather than a binary, gender should be accepted as a spectrum due to the existence of more than two identities on a biological and psychological level. By exploring the history of intersex, transgender, and nonbinary folx, it is evident that the historical oppression of these people has continued into present day, even among and within feminist communities. In order to end this cycle of oppression, gender nonconforming individuals and all those who identify as a woman must be included in the feminist narrative. Continued reliance on the archaic definition of women specific to biological females impoverishes individuals, families, and communities. In order for the future of women to be triumphant, all women must be included.
Additional Information (Optional)
This presentation will fulfill the UCRCA grant requirements from the grant I was given in January 2020 for a presentation in India. My powerpoint is not complete because the file I used got corrupted and I need to recreate the powerpoint. I plan to present another oral presentation at the RCAF, which is titled "Developing a Discrete Event Simulation Model to Overcome Human Trafficking". Please do not schedule these for the same time.