The concept of 'becoming' refers to the process through which an individual develops their identity over time. In the context of trans identities, this means that individuals may change their gender identity over time, challenging traditional notions of what it means to be male or female. This article will explore how this phenomenon destabilizes essentialist assumptions about identity, permanence, and the continuity of self.
Essentialism is the belief that certain characteristics are inherently part of someone's core identity, such as their race, gender, or sexual orientation. Essentialists argue that these traits are fixed and unchangeable, and therefore should not be questioned or challenged.
The experience of becoming in trans identities suggests otherwise. By transitioning from one gender to another, trans people demonstrate that their identity can evolve and change, challenging the notion that gender is innate and fixed. Trans people often describe their journey as a gradual process of discovery, where they gradually come to understand themselves and their place in the world. This process involves exploring different aspects of their identity, including their gender expression, body image, and relationships with others.
Permanence is another key assumption undermined by the phenomenology of becoming in trans identities. Traditional notions of identity suggest that once an individual has achieved a stable sense of self, their identity remains constant throughout their life.
The experience of becoming in trans identities suggests otherwise. Trans people may go through multiple phases of transition, experimenting with different expressions of their gender before settling on a final identity. They may also change their mind about their identity at various points along the way, reflecting the fluid nature of identity development. The idea of 'becoming' emphasizes that identity is constantly evolving and changing, rather than being static and fixed.
The concept of continuity of self is also called into question by the phenomenology of becoming in trans identities. Traditionally, individuals are seen as having a single, coherent self that endures over time.
Trans individuals may experience discontinuities in their identity as they navigate their gender transition.
Some trans women may identify as lesbian before transitioning, but later realize that they identify as bisexual or queer after starting hormone therapy. This highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of identity, which cannot be reduced to a simple binary category.
The phenomenology of becoming in trans identities challenges essentialist assumptions about identity, permanence, and the continuity of self. By demonstrating that gender can change and evolve, it destabilizes the notion that these traits are innate and unchangeable. It also reveals the complexity and diversity of human identity, which cannot be boiled down to a single, fixed definition.
How does the phenomenology of becoming in trans identities destabilize essentialist assumptions about identity, permanence, and the continuity of self?
Becoming is a process that allows individuals to understand their sense of self by challenging essentialist assumptions about identity, permanence, and the continuity of self. Trans identities involve a constant renegotiation of one's gender identity, which can result in a fluid and dynamic conception of self.