Visibility is often understood to be an indicator of progressive social change.
This view ignores the ways in which visibility can also perpetuate and reinforce systemic oppressions, particularly those related to sex, sexuality, and gender identity. In a world that structures itself through denial, visibility may serve as a form of affirmation for some while simultaneously obscuring or marginalizing others. To explore these dynamics, we must examine how visibility operates within power structures, how it intersects with other forms of oppression, and what alternatives there might be for creating more just forms of recognition and belonging.
The first way in which visibility functions as a structure of denial is through its privileging of certain identities over others. Visibility is often seen as a marker of legitimacy and respectability, which means that those who are visible are granted access to resources, opportunities, and cultural capital. This privileging of the visible can have devastating consequences for individuals who do not fit into dominant categories of sexuality, gender, or race.
Transgender individuals who are not "passing" face higher rates of discrimination, violence, and poverty than their cisgender peers. They also struggle to gain access to employment, healthcare, housing, and legal protections because they are perceived as illegitimate or unworthy of respect. Similarly, Black LGBTQ+ people experience both racialized and queer-phobic discrimination, making them particularly vulnerable to exclusion and violence. Visibility can thus function as a tool of oppression, reinforcing existing social hierarchies rather than challenging them.
A second way in which visibility reinforces denial is by limiting the scope of recognition and belonging. In a world structured by denial, only certain forms of identity are recognized and valued. This means that some groups of people may be denied the right to exist altogether, while others may be included on limited terms.
Nonbinary individuals may be erased from mainstream culture entirely, while others are only allowed to exist within narrow, stereotypical frameworks. This lack of recognition can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and alienation, making it difficult for these individuals to find community and support. By relying solely on visibility as a marker of legitimacy, we risk overlooking those whose identities fall outside of this framework and perpetuating systems of exclusion and marginalization.
The third way in which visibility functions as a structure of denial is through its focus on individual expression and agency. Visibility often emphasizes personal choice and action, suggesting that those who remain invisible have failed to assert their own desires and needs.
This view ignores the complex interplay between individual choices and broader social structures. Many individuals choose not to come out or be visible due to fear of retaliation, harassment, or other forms of oppression. They may also face economic hardship or lack access to supportive communities if they do so. By focusing solely on individual choice, we risk blaming victims of systemic oppression rather than addressing the underlying causes of inequality.
What then, can we do to create more just and inclusive forms of recognition and belonging? One approach is to prioritize collective organizing and solidarity-building. Instead of relying solely on individual acts of visibility, we must work together to challenge power structures that perpetuate discrimination and exclusion. This might involve supporting grassroots organizations working for trans rights, advocating for anti-racist policies within LGBTQ+ movements, or creating safe spaces for people of color within queer communities. It also means recognizing the multiple axes of identity that intersect with sexuality, gender, and race, such as class, ability, and religion. By acknowledging these intersections, we can create more nuanced understandings of identity and community that transcend binary thinking.
Another approach is to reimagine our relationships with each other beyond visibility. We might focus less on the desire to be seen and more on the need for connection, intimacy, and mutual care. In doing so, we would recognize that all humans deserve respect and belonging regardless of their appearance or expression, while also challenging the ways in which this visibility reinforces systems of domination. This could mean creating alternative forms of communication that center vulnerability, honesty, and trust, rather than performance or exhibitionism. It might also involve cultivating a culture of consent and reciprocity, wherein individuals have agency over how they are seen and represented.
Visibility is not neutral but embedded in systemic oppressions. By understanding its role in shaping our worldview, we can begin to dismantle it and build more just forms of recognition and belonging. This requires a commitment to collective action, coalition building, and radical imagination. Only by rejecting the status quo can we create a world where everyone can live freely and fully, without fear of denial or erasure.
What is the existential meaning of visibility in a world structured by denial?
Visibility has different meanings depending on who is being seen, where they are located, what their background is, how much power they have, and whether they fit into society's normative categories. The concept of visibility can be traced back to the ancient Greek philosopher Plato who argued that human existence consists of knowledge and perception; therefore, humans need light to see things so that they may know them through sight.