What is trans embodiment?
Trans embodiment refers to the process of identifying with a gender identity that differs from one's biological sex. It involves physical and psychological changes that allow an individual to express their authentic gender through clothing, makeup, hairstyle, speech, movement, and other aspects of appearance and behavior. Trans people may also choose to undergo hormone therapy and/or surgery to align their body with their chosen gender.
How does trans embodiment challenge the phenomenological assumption?
The phenomenological assumption states that bodily experience is universally intelligible, meaning that all human beings share a common understanding of what it means to have a particular bodily experience.
Trans embodiment challenges this assumption because it reveals how different experiences of the body can be shaped by social, cultural, and political factors.
Some individuals may feel uncomfortable or conflicted about certain aspects of their assigned-at-birth genitals, while others may see them as essential to their sense of self. Similarly, the way society views and treats gendered bodies can impact how trans people perceive and interact with their own bodies. As a result, trans embodiment highlights the complexity and diversity of bodily experience and calls into question our assumptions about its universality.
Examples of challenges to the assumption
One example is the experience of chest dysphoria, which is a distressing feeling of being trapped in the wrong body due to having breasts or lacking them. This can vary widely among trans people depending on their gender expression and identity. Some may feel comfortable with a more masculine or feminine appearance and seek top surgery (chest reconstruction) to remove breasts or enhance chest muscles, while others may prefer to keep their breasts or opt for a less invasive procedure like liposuction or breast binding. Another example is the use of language around genitalia, which can be highly stigmatized for cisgender women but celebrated for cisgender men. Trans women who choose not to undergo bottom surgery may face judgment from both sides, while those who do may encounter difficulties obtaining adequate healthcare. These examples show that the experience of the body is shaped by cultural and social norms, making it difficult to generalize about what bodily experiences are "universally intelligible."
Trans embodiment challenges the phenomenological assumption by revealing how different experiences of the body can be shaped by social, cultural, and political factors. It emphasizes the importance of individual choice and self-expression in determining one's relationship with their body, rather than assuming that all humans share a universal understanding of bodily experience. By acknowledging this diversity, we can better support trans communities and work towards a more equitable society.
How does trans embodiment challenge the phenomenological assumption that bodily experience is universally intelligible?
Trans embodiment can be an incredibly complex process for those who do not fit within binary gender categories. Many transgender individuals report feeling disconnected from their bodies due to the lack of correspondence between their gender identity and sex assigned at birth. This can lead to a sense of confusion and distress, as they struggle to reconcile their physical form with their internal self-identity.