It’s our last week of class together! This week we continue our discussions about 2SLGBTQ+ and technology: Raun and Keegan “Nothing To Hide” and Oakley “Supporting One Another”. Both are chapters from the book Sex in the Digital Age (2018). The first focuses on the visibility dilemma that TransMen face online when they appear in selfies or other visual formats & the second speaks to the community building with Nonbinary folks that is happening on Tumblr.
After the readings and lecture the result is [hopefully] a clear understanding of (1) how digital technologies can replicate and maintain social practices and myths related to sex, gender & sexuality, (2) How digital technologies can also help create queer spaces online and amplify queer perspectives, (3) the spectrum of issues related to visibility and invisibility, and (4) some potential ideas of how to address discrimination, oppression, and inequality concerning sex, gender and sexuality that happens in digital technology.
Reflection Question for this Week: This week our discussions once again featured two queering categories: Trans and Nonbinary. TransMen suffer from the contrary situation of being too masculine and not masculine enough. TransWomen also suffer from being seen as too feminine and not feminine enough. Often photos of Trans folks will be critiqued by feminists as upholding harmful gender stereotypes and norms of masculinity or femininity. How do we support Trans folks chosen performatives and authentic expression while also engaging in a social critique about harmful gender constructions and stereotypes? Can we do both? Why or why not, in your view? ** A second option for this week is to discuss how Trans and Nonbinary folks both support Butler’s thesis that sex and gender are socially constructed and at the same time critique her ideas on becoming and performing gender.
You may speak using the first person.
While this is not a super formal piece of academic writing, please follow the usual guidelines of good grammar, spelling, punctuation. Try to structure your reflection so it doesn’t feel like a rant. Execution is key here! Oh and yes, you may swear if you feel the need to.
To cite readings simply name the author and the page number from the text. Direct quoting is not necessary, summary is always nice, but if you do make sure you clearly show where it comes from.
You may include in your reflection an example in your life, or the media, or film, etc. – a real concrete example to illustrate your reflection. Make sure to include websites or information to cite this example.
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