The idea that an individual is self-determining and has the ability to choose their own beliefs and actions was central to the Enlightenment ideals, which emphasized reason and rationality.
Recent scholarship suggests that this conception of autonomy may be challenged by the experiences of trans people, who often report feeling that their bodies do not match their gender identities. This raises important questions about how transgender identity fits into traditional models of selfhood and agency, and what it means for individuals to have control over their own lives and decisions. In this essay, I will explore these issues through an analysis of transgender activist Janet Mock's memoir, Redefining Realness, as well as theories from psychoanalysis and queer theory.
Trans authenticity refers to the process by which trans people come to accept and affirm their true gender identities, despite social pressures or expectations. For many trans individuals, this involves undergoing medical and legal procedures to align their physical characteristics with their internal sense of self, but can also involve more subtle changes in clothing, appearance, and behavior. According to psychoanalytic theory, the body plays a crucial role in shaping our sense of self, and experiences like puberty and childbirth can create powerful feelings of embodiment and attachment. If the body does not match one's inner sense of self, this can lead to psychological distress and dissonance. Trans activists like Mock argue that this disconnect between mind and body is experienced by all individuals, regardless of gender identity, and highlights the importance of recognizing diverse forms of embodied subjectivity.
Queer theorists have argued that the Enlightenment ideal of coherent subjectivity is based on cisnormative assumptions about binary gender roles and sexual practices, which privilege those who conform to traditional norms. They point out that non-binary identities and fluid sexualities challenge this model by blurring boundaries between masculinity and femininity, and suggesting that sex and desire are not stable or predictable categories. Transgender identity further challenges these ideas by rejecting the binary altogether, and questioning the very notion of "biological" sex. By focusing on the relationship between bodies and identities, queer theorists open up new possibilities for understanding human experience and agency.
The tension between trans authenticity and the Enlightenment ideal of the autonomous subject raises important questions about what it means to be an individual, how we come to understand ourselves, and how we relate to others. While some scholars view transgender identity as a form of resistance against rigid gender norms, others see it as simply another way of reinforcing them. By exploring these complex issues through the lens of social theory and personal narratives, we can gain a deeper understanding of how our experiences shape us, and how we shape our own stories in response.
How does trans authenticity challenge the Enlightenment ideal of the coherent, autonomous subject?
Transgender identity is characterized by an individual's sense of gender that differs from their biological sex at birth. Trans individuals experience gender dysphoria, a condition where they feel like they are not in sync with their assigned gender and may seek hormone therapy, surgical interventions, and other forms of treatment to align their physical appearance with their gender identity.