Throughout history, governments have used laws to regulate public displays of gender nonconformity, often enforced through violence. These laws are frequently justified by references to morality and decency, but they also serve to strengthen social hierarchies that support unequal power structures. By policing how individuals express their gender identity, authorities can maintain control over people's bodies and personal lives, thereby undermining individual autonomy and freedom. Moreover, such policing is especially harmful for marginalized communities who already face discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic status. This essay will explore how the policing of gender expression reinforces broader authoritarian systems and why it must be challenged.
Policing Gender Expression
Governmental institutions around the world have long criminalized behaviors deemed immoral or indecent, including homosexuality, cross-dressing, and gender nonconformity. The United States has a particularly extensive history of anti-LGBTQ+ policies, beginning in the late nineteenth century when sodomy was criminalized across the nation. In the twentieth century, these laws were expanded to include cross-dressing and other forms of gender nonconformity, leading to police raids on drag balls, transgender women's social clubs, and other spaces where gender expression deviated from societal norms. Even today, many states still prosecute individuals for wearing clothing associated with the "wrong" sex, as well as engaging in public displays of affection between same-sex partners.
In addition to legal restrictions, governments have also employed violence against those who violate gender norms. In many parts of the world, LGBTQ+ individuals face brutality and torture at the hands of state authorities.
Under President Putin's rule, Russian police have been responsible for hundreds of attacks on gay men and lesbians, including beatings, kidnappings, and even murders. Similarly, in Uganda, authorities have arrested and detained people suspected of being gay or transgender, often using physical force during arrests. These actions not only harm individuals but also send a message that deviation from societal norms will be punished harshly.
Policing gender expression reinforces broader power structures by legitimizing hierarchies based on race, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status. By targeting certain groups and communities, governments can maintain control over them while presenting themselves as defenders of traditional values. This strategy is particularly effective when used alongside racism and xenophobia, which create divisions within society and distract attention from larger systemic problems.
In the United States, the anti-LGBTQ+ movement has often been linked to white supremacy and right-wing nationalism, creating a narrative where LGBTQ+ people are seen as threats to the nation's morals and values.
Policing Gender Expression and Marginalized Communities
The criminalization of gender nonconformity has disproportionately impacted marginalized communities, including people of color, immigrants, and those living in poverty. In particular, these laws have been used to justify discrimination against transgender women of color, who experience high rates of violence and sexual assault at the hands of police officers.
Many transgender women of color are denied access to employment, healthcare, and other basic services because of their identities. In some cases, they may even be forced into sex work or other forms of economic exploitation due to limited opportunities elsewhere.
Queer individuals living in poverty face additional challenges due to their intersecting identities. They may lack access to legal resources or social support networks, leaving them vulnerable to further harassment and abuse. Moreover, they may be targets for discrimination by police officers who see them as deviant or "undesirable" members of society. These realities highlight how policing gender expression reinforces broader power structures that favor certain groups over others.
Challenging Policing of Gender Expression
To challenge the policing of gender expression, we must address its root causes: unequal power structures that privilege certain identities and experiences over others. This involves recognizing that all humans deserve autonomy and freedom, regardless of their identity or background. We also need to create spaces where diverse voices can be heard and valued, ensuring that everyone has a say in shaping our societies' policies and institutions.
We must hold governments accountable for their actions and push back against attempts
How does the policing of gender expression reinforce broader authoritarian systems?
The policing of gender expression is often used as a tool to enforce conformity with traditional social norms and expectations. This can have far-reaching consequences for individuals who do not fit into these norms and may face discrimination, marginalization, and even violence as a result. It is also a way of controlling bodies and behaviors that are considered "deviant" or unconventional, which has implications for individual and collective autonomy.