Jules Gill-Peterson discusses her book on transmisogyny, tracing its roots to colonial violence. The podcast delves into the intersection of colonialism, racism, and trans misogyny, challenging inappropriate analogies. It also explores the role of state violence in perpetuating transphobia and highlights the challenges faced by trans individuals in the UK political landscape.
Transmisogyny's roots lie in colonial violence, not just mocking femininity.
Historians aim to uncover unique gender identities in diverse historical contexts.
State violence's influence extends from historical origins to societal interactions.
Deep dives
Understanding Historical Context of Gender Identities
Historians aim to historicize gender categories beyond current frameworks, exploring gender identities in past contexts. Rather than projecting modern concepts onto history, the focus is on understanding gender identities on their own historical terms, disconnected from present labels. By tracing the evolution of terms like 'trans' or 'queer' back in time, historians aim to uncover unique identities and emphasize longer histories of gender diversity.
Challenging Historical Timeframes in Research
Exploring historical shifts in gender identities, the researcher delves into 19th-century and earlier periods, stepping beyond familiar timelines. The decision to extend research timelines emerged from immersing in diverse historical literature, aiming to enhance understanding beyond familiar contexts. While initial exploration began as a scholarly challenge, it expanded into uncovering the emergence and evolution of gender identities in earlier historical periods.
Intersection of Gender History and Global Narratives
Focusing on marginalized histories, particularly Black, feminist, Indigenous, and global South narratives, sheds light on different empirical approaches to understanding historical contexts. These narratives offer insights into challenging historical limitations imposed by colonial powers and enrich understanding by broadening perspectives. By engaging with diverse narratives, researchers aim to decenter dominant historical narratives and offer fresh insights into gender complexities and colonial legacies.
State Violence, Colonialism, and Interpersonal Dynamics
Exploring the link between state violence, colonial legacies, and interpersonal violence reveals a pattern of state-influenced violence extending to societal interactions. By tracing violence from their state-sanctioned origins to their manifestation in public and interpersonal realms, researchers draw attention to the cascading impact of state violence. This historical scrutiny highlights how forms of violence can be rooted in state actions and disseminated through societal structures.
Navigating Media Debates on Trans Rights
Questioning the strategic value of engaging in media debates on trans rights sheds light on the weaponization of such discussions for propaganda purposes. Recognizing the lack of good faith in these debates, refraining from participation can prevent legitimizing false narratives. By redirecting energies towards more meaningful political actions and solidarity building, individuals can overcome media distortions and focus on substantial change initiatives.
In this second episode of the newly launched Verso Book Club Podcast, Jules Gill-Peterson sits down with our host, Eleanor Penny, to discuss her new book A Short History of Trans Misogyny.
In this incisive account of the invention of trans panic, A Short History of Trans Misogyny challenges the notion of transmisogyny as simply an attempt to mock or undermine a trans woman’s femininity - instead situating its origin in the violence of the colonial state, and it’s attempts to consolidate its control over the populations it subjugated.
Sign up to the Verso Book Club here tinyurl.com/5n67t9tr
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