Trans people have historically been excluded from mainstream discourse about gender and embodiment. This has led to misunderstandings about their experiences, which often result in misconceptions and harmful stereotypes. By exploring the ways in which trans people experience materiality and lived experience, it is possible to gain new insight into what it means to be human.
We must understand that trans identity is not just about physical appearance; it is also about how one feels internally. Trans people may experience their body as disconnected from their internal sense of self, leading to feelings of dysphoria. This can manifest physically through changes in hormone levels, body shape, and size. For some, this may mean taking hormones or undergoing surgeries to align their body with their gender identity. Others choose not to alter their bodies at all, instead using clothing and other visual markers to express themselves. The phenomenology of embodiment for trans individuals is therefore highly subjective and varies widely from person to person.
In addition to physical embodiment, trans people also experience intimacy differently than cisgender people do. Because they are often perceived by others as their assigned gender rather than their true gender, trans people may find themselves navigating relationships based on this false information. They may struggle with disclosing their gender history to potential partners, fearing rejection or violence. Some may even avoid romantic relationships altogether due to these concerns. This can lead to a heightened sense of isolation, which can be especially difficult when combined with feelings of gender dysphoria.
Trans people also bring a unique perspective to conversations about sex and sexuality. They may experience sexual pleasure differently than cisgender people because of their physical differences and societal expectations.
Trans women who have retained genitalia but still identify as female may feel pressured to perform heterosexual acts that make them uncomfortable. Similarly, trans men may face pressure to act like stereotypical males during sex, which can be a turn-off if it does not align with their own desires. Trans individuals' experiences with sex and sexuality highlight the ways in which gender intersects with our understanding of ourselves and our bodies.
Trans embodiment enriches our understanding of materiality and lived experience in several key ways. By exploring the subjectivity of embodiment, we gain insight into how different groups experience the world around us. We learn that gender identity is not just about physical appearance, but also about internal sensations and feelings. And we come to understand the complexities of intimate relationships and the ways in which society shapes our sexual desires and behaviors.
How does trans embodiment enrich phenomenological understanding of materiality and lived experience?
Trans embodiment involves experiencing one's body as different from what is expected due to gender assignment at birth, which can lead to a heightened awareness of the physical self and its relationship with the surrounding environment. This can create a richer understanding of materiality and lived experience by challenging preconceived notions about the body and allowing for new insights into how it interacts with the world around us.