Intersectional Feminist Theory

In “Applying Intersectionality & Complexity Theory to Address the Social Determinants of Women’s Health,” McGibbon & McPherson detail studies on social determinants on health to explain how feminist intersectionality theory can be used in addition to complexity theory in public health. In “The Problem with the Phrase Women and Minorities: Intersectionality- an Important Theoretical Framework for Public Health,” Bowleg problematizes rhetoric and practices in the public health field. She draws upon similarities between intersectionality and critical race theory to argue that intersectionality is a natural fit for the public health realm. Both Bowleg and McGibbon & McPherson explore the need to include intersectionality in the field of public

Because of their relative invisibility in public life, many people have a poor grasp on what being transgender really is. To be fair, this is a complicated issue, encompassing its own subsection of the LGBT+ community with its own unique groups. To put it simply, a transgender person is somebody who identifies as a gender other than the one written on their birth certificate. This often means identifying as the opposite sex, but some transgender people live in between the gender binary or outside it altogether. Typically, transgender people live express their identity in different ways: dressing as their preferred gender, going through hormone therapy to alter their bodies, undergoing sex reassignment surgery to change their genitals, or a

People of color, especially lesbian women of color experience this layered oppression. As stated in Sabrina Alimahomed’s article, “ Thinking Outside The Rainbow: Women of Color Redefining Queer Politics and Identity,” queer Latinas and Asian/Pacific Islander women experience marginality within the mainstream LGBT movement and their racial and ethnic communities. For queer Latinas and Asian/Pacific Islander women, race creates another layer of oppression, while white women use their race as a form of power and privilege. As stated in Audre Lorde’s article, “ Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference” women of color are regarded as others and not important when it comes to white feminism. White women ignore their privilege of being white, and instead of focusing on how women are oppressed based on differences of race, sexuality, class, and age, they just focus on being oppressed as women (Lorde 3) . They fail to understand or even want to comprehend the struggles of women of

Considered to be one of the most important and prominent figures in trans history, Christine Jorgensen was a pioneer in her own right. Jorgensen first garnered major attention when she became the first American to bring attention to gender reassignment surgery in 1952, after travelling to Denmark for the procedure. Going on to become an actress and a writer, Jorgensen’s story was what brought trans issues to the forefront of America’s mind, and opened up a national conversation, framing many aspects of how future generations would come to think of the transgender community.

Intersectionality is when there is other problematic society that affects a certain group of people within society is interconnected. The minority may all belong to the same group but yet there are many categories within that group that also deal with more than one form of oppression. In the article, the author makes valid points of the daily struggles of being a woman in society but also shines light on the issue that she also faces other forms of oppression because of her skin color. To the average white woman, the only form of institutionalized oppression they experience is solely gender based and therefore they tend to dismiss the idea that other races and religious fight for equality is much more intense. Intersectionality also contends

Integrating theory into social work practice is essential in defining why social work is needed and how to practice it effectively. This paper will discuss two theories; intersectionality and life course theory, as I believe that these two theories are collectively suitable and effective in interrupting the cycle of oppression. I will draw upon both my own experiences and literature to analyze the strengths and limitations of intersectionality and life course theory. This discussion will exemplify how intersectionality and life course theory enhance each other and can work synergistically to inform my social work practice.

Hate violence is a predominant issue against transgender women who wish for acceptance from society. Individuals believe they have the right to perform violence against these transgender women because of their gender identity. For example, in the novel Stone Butch Blues, Jess Goldberg is physically a women but prefers to live life as a male. Since Jess chooses to live life as a male, or butch, she is frequently a target of policemen and other individuals because of her identity. The society views Jess as a criminal because during the 1960’s homosexuality was illegal and it was considered a mental disorder. Apparently, our society has made much more progress today for transgender women, but they still face a multitude of hate violence. A major

The article, "Mean Ladies: Transgendered Villains in Disney Films" by Amanda Putnam examines multiple characteristics that villains demonstrate from body shape, makeup or attitude. Putnam examines the villains and makes the connection that they are demonstrating characteristics that are associated with transgendered people. In addition, Putnam uses multiple Disney films such as Cinderella, the little mermaid, and other films to show the different ways women are being portraited. In addition, Putnam addresses that there's nothing wrong about being transgendered; however, it's more about the message that it's being provided to children. The message is that those who are transgendered people are evil and shouldn’t be approached.

A transgender person is defined as someone who feels they are the opposite gender of what they were born. A transgender male is a biological female who feels they are a male and lives as a male

Growing up, we aren’t really allowed to talk about anything LGBTQ+ because my father goes on 15-30 minute rants every time. It’s hard as someone who belongs in the LGBTQ+ community to express herself when someone is as homophobic and transphobic as my father. Laverne Cox has given not only the transgenders of the community hope but she has also given the gay and bisexuals of the community hope as well.

In the text “Feminisms Matters”, Bromley uses intersectionality to pin point and discourse how people are not just classified by one identity but by various, complex and interconnected ones which unified, define a person. “We are likely to identify with a particular gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age group and ability” (Bromley 47). These are some of the social groups used in terms of intersectionality to analyze how components of our identity fall under these categories which are influenced by a numerous amount of factors such as our experiences and positionality (Bromley 47). Evidently an individual would relate to all of these categories but in different ways, making distinguishable identities. “For example, you might be living

Transgender is the term used to describe an individual whose gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth. The documentary, “Growing up Trans”, is a sensitive clip to watch about young youths who attempt to navigate family, friends, gender, and the medical decisions they face at puberty. “Growing up Trans” focuses mainly on transitioned young youths. The transgender youth from the documentary links to many theories from chapter eight. Theories such as socialization, gender, sexuality, homophobia, transphobia, and microaggression are associated with “Growing up Trans”.

Gender roles are norms created by society. Our gender is given to us when born, either you are a girl or a boy, decided by how our body looks like. A girl is given norms to follow by society at a young age. A girl should usually be passive, nurturing and subordination, while those born male are supposed to be strong, aggressive and dominant. This paper will discuss how the genders are viewed and perceived in different literary periods. It will show three periods, Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages and our modern time. The essay will also discuss what the differences between the periods are and how it has evolved throughout time.

The term “transgender” is a label that was never used until the mid 1960s. According to history, “Psychiatrist John F. Oliven of Columbia University coined the term transgender in his 1965 reference work Sexual Hygiene and Pathology (“Transgender”)”. When a transgender person desires to be the opposite gender, they may get an invasive surgery to fully transition into their new identity. Multiple transgender people have started to announce the having of the surgery has destroyed their future (Bindel). People have the right to be whatever gender they aspire to be, but transgender people should do public activities and should stay grouped with their biologically assigned sex.

Gender Dysphoria affects adolescents and adults. When a person starts to experience distress due to their assigned gender at birth, that individual can clinically be diagnosed as having Gender Dysphoria. According to the DSM (2013), a person who suffers from Gender Dysphoria will have a strong desire to get rid of their primary characteristics. As a result, the individual starts to develop aspects of the opposite sex in which the person would like to transition. Therefore, the person would like to be treated in the gender in which the person is transitioning.