Transactivism and Postmodernity: An Agonistic Analysis of Transliterature

Abstract

Historically marginalized people must find alternative forms of remonstration to liberate themselves within repressive societies. In using an agonistic analysis of transliterature and following examples of social protest by an earlier generation of feminists, Black Power activists, Native American demonstrators, and participants in the Stonewall Rebellion, this study argues that contemporary transgender liberation movement activists incorporate a postmodern approach accommodating their specific needs within the larger culture. Specifically, transactivists incorporate polysemy, polyvocality, and community building through individual identity construction not witnessed in previous social movement rhetoric research.

Keywords:

• Agon
• Literature
• Postmodernism
• Social Movement
• Transactivism

An earlier version of this article was presented at the National Communication Association annual convention in Miami, FL, 2003. This research was partially funded by a California State University, San Bernardino Diversity grant.

Notes

The books include the following: Bornstein (1994), Califia (1997), Cameron (1996), Denny (1994), Feinberg (1993, 1996), Namaste (2000), Rothblatt (1995), and Sheridan (2001). The articles include the following: Chase (1998), Green (1998), Pollack (1997), Stone (1991), and Stryker (1997, 1998).

Also included in the category of artistic transliterature is a great many of the novels and fictional writings by literary transauthors, a subgenre inviting further investigation by agonistic rhetorical analysts.

Evidence of Stryker's (1997) and other activists' pleas exist in New York City. Specifically, an article in The New York Times explained that a proposal likely to pass stated that “people born in the city would be able to change the documented sex on their birth certificate” (Cave, 2006, p. A1). Nevertheless, affidavits would be required from doctors and mental health professionals; sex-change surgery or therapy would not be a requirement.

Particular thanks are given to Susan Stryker, Jamieson Green, and Kate Bornstein for our meetings with them at our university as part of our campus Women's Studies and Intellectual Life programs. Knowledge you all have shared with us was indispensable in the genesis of this work.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Heather L. Hundley

Heather L. Hundley (PhD, University of Utah, 1999) is a professor in the Department of Communication Studies at California State University, San Bernardino.

J. Scott Rodriguez

J. Scott Rodriguez (MA, California State University, Los Angeles, 1986) is a lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies at California State University, San Bernardino.