Date of Award
Spring 6-12-2019
Author Requested Restriction
Open Access (no embargo, no restriction)
Work Type
Masters Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (MA)
Department
Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
First Advisor
Natalie Jolly
Second Advisor
Larry Knopp
Abstract
Until recently the power to classify people by gender in the U.S. resided exclusively with the state and federal governments, both of which previously used the two binary gender options, female and male, and no others. Since 2017 this has begun to change as more states and cities have begun making third gender options available to those who do not identify as either. This represents a step forward towards greater acceptance of transgender, and particularly nonbinary identities within society. It is revolutionary in how the state administers “sex designations,” along with your name as the foundation of an individual’s legal identity in society. Trans people in both private and public spaces have to prove who they are as well as correct wrong assumptions, at times exposing themselves to public humiliation, exclusion, marginalization and even violence. These everyday situations give private citizens the power to analyze and pronounce judgment on everyone’s identity acting as agents of the state. How do third gender options work, how did we get here and what does this mean for the ongoing debate about gender and how it relates to identity politics, public policy, feminist and queer theory?
Recommended Citation
Farrow, Mira, "Transgender Vulnerabilities: State Issued Identity Documents and Third Gender Options" (2019). MAIS Projects and Theses. 60.
https://digitalcommons.tacoma.uw.edu/ias_masters/60
Included in
Legal Studies Commons, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons