Clothing in trans identity. Notes on the significance of dressing up and trans resignification between terfism and prisons

Authors

  • Claudia Musso Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6093/1827-9198/8940

Keywords:

resignification, transsexualism, gender, clothing, prison

Abstract

What’s the role of feminine clothing in the construction of male-to-female transsexual identity? Is it really necessary for some transsexual women to exhibit stereotypical feminine attributes? Would it be possible, or preferable, that every trans life be lived genderlessly? The aim of this paper is to explore trans-exclusionary radical feminism's criticism to the trans acquisition of classic gender attributes and to respond by showing the crucial role of this acquisition not only with regard to the construction of the subjectivity of transsexual women, but also in the broader context of fighting heteropatriarchy. For this purpose, I will try to highlight how trans-exclusionary radical feminists misinterpret trans identity and its profoundly subversive meaning, and I will try to explore the complex and often contradictory processes of identity construction of trans and generally oppressed subjects. Lastly, by briefly turning my gaze to the prison system, I will provide a practical example of how noxious the mindless dismissal of the trans acquisition of gender performances can be.

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Author Biography

Claudia Musso, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Claudia Musso graduated in Philosophical Sciences at the University of Milan, with a master thesis titled “Guide to a terf-exclusionary radical feminism”. She’s especially interested in feminist, trans-feminist, post-colonial, and post-humanist studies. She’s currently attending the Master course in Paper-based and Digital Publishing at Cattolica University.

Published

2022-02-16

How to Cite

Musso, C. (2022). Clothing in trans identity. Notes on the significance of dressing up and trans resignification between terfism and prisons. La Camera Blu, (24). https://doi.org/10.6093/1827-9198/8940