Source: Elliott, P, 2010, 'Ch 1: Feminist embattlement on the field of trans', Debates in Transgender, Queer and Feminist Theory', Ashgate, Farnham & Burlington, pp. 17-31
In this chapter reading the author Elliot, explores a contemporary struggle of understanding the meaning of sexual differences in politics and in the relationship of non trans feminist to transgendered people.
One of the discourses discussed by Elliot is stated by another author, Butler. Butler suggests that groups involved in the "new gender politics" which include feminist, queer, antiracists, trans and intersex people share common thoughts on political goals. This is something that I somewhat agree with. I find it common for oppressed groups in society to often join together in their goals for better treatment and political power. Power that is often given to the society that is oppressing them or just given to white males alone. One of these common political goals was to avoid presumptions about bodily dimorphism, the uses of technology and the sexual status of a person. I agree with this idea, because no person wants to be judged by their bodily appearance or sexual status.
I'd also say that this chapter discusses the role of trans women in the category of "women" and feminism. This forced me as the reader to think about abused trans people who identify as female who may want to seek help from a "women's only" help institution. Are they classified as female and thereby able to receive care? I interpreted Elliot's reading to analyze and answer similar thought provoking questions like my mine.
Personally I am interpreting the reading by questioning the social categories of male and female. Who gets to be a woman? And should men who consider themselves female or "in drag" receive benefits of women's help facilities? Because of these questions, identifying a separation between transgendered women and "regular" women in terms of feminism and women's health and assistance, is still unclear and difficult for me to grasp. I think it would help to analyze what feminism is and how we as feminists can help other women--even those who identify as both or unknown.
Below is an interesting youtube video of renown Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie at TEDxEuston. She is known amongst the current generation for her feature in Beyonce's Flawless song discussing feminism. Here in this youtube video, she talks about feminism through her perspective.
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