Senior thesis

6

Measures Society has set in Place for Person’s who Identify as Transgender.

The Measures Society has set in Place for Person’s who Identify as Transgender.

Joshica Phillips

SOC 322

Saint Leo University

Our society has comprised our gender into two acceptable categories for biological sex, female or male. “In recent years gender has more often been imagined as identity.” (Kessler-Harris 2012; 828). This categorization of gender has shaped how we are treated by society from the restrooms we use to the type of jobs we work. Limitations are crippling and our society may flourish if more measures are put into place to accommodate and acknowledge those identifying as transgender.

In order to broaden our perspectives of gender identities we must first understand the definition of a transgender person and acknowledge they are assets to society as much as a binary person. A highly educated transgender person should be not be passed over for a job opportunity by a man or woman with lesser credentials simply because of their identity. Although it is possible the qualified transgender did not get the job because of prejudice, the company’s lack of accommodations could be a factor as well. For instance, the restrooms within the facility may be gender specific which would pose an issue for a transgender person as well as placing the binary persons in an uncomfortable position. Issues such as these can create conflict within the organization.

The lack of knowledge and compassion for transgender persons has led to their fear for safety. The escalated death tolls and attacks has risen to a fight for equality among our society. Several researchers have studied and analyzed the reason behind these attacks which has led to the start of our country’s acceptance. For example, legalization of same-sex marriages and IVF approval to same-sex couples. Acceptance to any degree has to be followed by accommodations to incorporate the new changes.

This literature review will discuss gender identity to include trans-gender, gender-fluid, lesbian and gay, legal recognition and employment.

This study will broaden the perspective of what is considered identity to help advance the acceptance of transgender persons. Although our nation is progressing beyond traditional practices, stagnant behaviors are presenting a threat to a select group. This study will provide the knowledge necessary to make our communities inclusive and equal.

Review of Literature

Gender Identity

Many may relate identity with one’s gender. It may feel as though one cannot be defined without the other. If you were asked to identify yourself would you include your gender in your description? Possibly. This is due to being taught from childhood that we are either one or the other mainly based on our genetic make-up. For instance, one’s perception of a man may reflect a masculine individual with facial hair and low vocal tones along with an assumption their sexual organs are those of a male. Would it change your perception if when you addressed this individual they requested to be referred to as them/they? Would you still walk away viewing them as a he? If so, then you have allowed gender to determine someone’s identity thus reverting to historic mindset. According to Hessler’s research from Dayton and Levenstein’s usage of the word gender reveals how the U.S would determine those of power and powerlessness. (p. 828). In this regard a person who identifies as gender-fluid could not be considered as one nor the other.

One could argue that all living organisms are born with associated genitals of male or female. Society has chosen our sex organs to label our gender. Although anatomy may determine which person may have the internal make up for child bearing, the term gender is socially constructed. For instance, a person born with both genitals can possess a majority of sex organs in comparison to a man, yet identify more so with the feminine traits compared to a woman. Are they at liberty to choose one specific gender or are they the exception? How about the person who has chosen not to identify with neither gender because they have the mindset to rid the stigma of societal norms. Since we don’t walk around in the nude, we could not determine the sexual organs one possess therefore we are at liberty to address an individual in the pronoun of their choice. This may be easier to consider when a transgender person is able to fool the eye by having the features of their preferred pronoun. For instance, a born male but is currently transitioning to female and resembles a feminine appearance. This is referred to as “passing”. Pfeffer discusses how rights for gay and lesbians has advanced but those of the transgender community are still going unnoticed. “Despite broader social acknowledgment of gender and sexual diversity, transgender individuals and their significant others remain relatively unrecognized in both mainstream and academic discourse and are often subsumed under the limited theoretical frame of social “passing” when they do appear.”(Pfeffer 2014;1). This suggest gay and lesbian may be recognized because the gender terms of male and female is still relative, but in regard to what was once known as a “cross-dresser” is only recognized when they can familiarly appear as either male or female.

Legal recognition.

During the state of the union address in January 2015, President Barrack Obama become the first world leader to say the word transgender in public. What did that mean for our society? It meant that the world was starting to accept the revolutionary change that was taking place. It could no longer be ignored, ideas that was once pushed to the side would now have to be acted on. Psychological and medical sciences has been known to lead effort in researching changes dealing with youth, but for a long period of time they would not investigate LGBT health unless it was related to HIV/AIDs research “The National Institutes of Health have funded 0.1% of projects investigating LGBT health” (Vaughn, 2016; p.9). The accommodations of transgender person is not a rapid change due to political dynamics, but does show progress. Transgenders are fighting to have their identities changed on their legal documents to ensure they are appropriately addressed. For example, in the event they are stopped for a traffic violation the officer would need to know their gender for processing and written citations. Imagine appearing before a judge in the appearance of a female but submitted citation states male. On the other side of the coin let’s consider the gender-fluid persons who choose not to identify with either gender marker of male or female. Would it be fair to provide an additional option on all legal documentation? According to Ghoshal and Knight some countries have passed a bill that offers “unspecified” as gender option. (p.23). Is it not offered in all countries because it would require more time for a traffic cop to ask the person’s pronouns versus calling them the pronoun in which they may appear to be or more specifically the pronoun that is related to the gender on their license?

Employment.

Ideal candidates for hire would meet all the criteria and show an interest in the company. The candidate would possess an impeccable work history with credible references. The hiring official would be able to determine from the resume whether or not this person would be an asset to their team. Unfortunately, without the additional option under the gender category, the hiring official may not know their potential candidate is a transgender person. “Transgender people routinely report that they are turned down for jobs and housing when it becomes evident that their appearance does not match the gender marker on their official documents.” (Ghostal and Knight 2016;25). Some companies may require a candidate of a masculine physique because the job requires heavy lifting or the experience to operate heavy machinery. Does this suggest the new hire’s gender must be specified? According to Mize transgender persons in the workplace may be viewed as incompetent. (p.1133). It is possible employers may also refuse hire out of fear of safety concerns. Transgender persons have faced violent attacks and the hiring company may not want to deal with the legal ramifications that could take place if other workers are opposed to working alongside them. Overall companies have an obligation to maintain their businesses, however if every transgender person is refused employment the homeless rate would surely increase.

Methodology.

In order to answer my research question of the measure’s society has put into place for persons with transgender identities, I will conduct interviews. My sample framework would consist of transgender persons and hiring officials. I would like my sample to consist of variety of ages beyond the years of 18 to establish a timeline of progression. The hiring officials would be so that I am able to find out the determining criteria for hiring transgender. For example, are they only allowed to hire a select number or are they not allowed to hire any due to the lack of accommodation within their facility?

I would start by presenting a questionnaire to the LGBTQ+ subjects that will establish their backgrounds to include level of education and birth sex assignment. Among the questions I will ensure to include that will allow me to observe the gender marking on their Government issued I.D such as driver’s license, state ID, etc. I will then proceed to inquire about their work history as this will paint a picture of the credentials they possess. My interview with the hiring officials will be inquisitive yet discreet ensuring not to paint the company in a negative light if they present opposing views. All participants will sign informed consent forms. Confidentiality will be used along with all requested anonymity.

Social involvements of members of the LGBTQ+ community has evolved such as legalizing gay marriages and same-sex adoptions. It appears our country is moving towards an inclusive society however there are areas of opportunity to improve on. My knowledge of these areas does not expound beyond restrooms and identity markers. In order to provide a variety, I will have to ask the LGBTQ+ participants their experience as well as solicit for their suggestions to improve such matters. In this research I will use the term transgender to address gender fluid, cis individuals. I am aware gender fluid and cis individuals do not identify with a specific gender nor gender related pronouns so I will rephrase gender related questions when interviewing them.

My population will be a combination of LGBTQ+ supporters and non-supporters to test the climate of acceptance or lack thereof. I am interested to know whether some refuse to accept one’s identity change due to prejudice or simply because they lack the knowledge. Although I anticipate some of the non-supporting participants may express strong opposing views, I will allow it. I am aware members of the transgender and queer persons within the LGBTQ+ community have lost their lives or in danger of losing their lives due to hate crimes and I will ensure to keep all interviews closed and confidential. In the beginning of each interview I will express full transparency of remaining neutral. However if a participant becomes inquisitive of my views for of this topic, I will ensure to present an empathetic tone. I state having an empathetic tone because I am aware I may have never had my participants experience and I would like to keep my interviews as genuine as possible. Nonetheless, whether a participant’s views are similar or differ from my own I will maintain non-bias candor.

Proposed Analysis Strategy

Once all of the interviews are complete I will transcribe them entirely. I will then proceed to the transcript of all dead air and excess noise. Sections from each interview will be categorized into the gender identity, legal recognition and employment. The coding will be a combination of inductive and deductive. I have noticed there are limited journals on this topic within the U.S, and this may present a challenge when trying to relate the data to that in literature. I anticipate the majority code will be inductive as I believe it will present the most recent data.

I will begin my research upon IRB approval and follow a strict timeline to ensure it is complete no later than a year. I project it will take approximately two weeks to find participants and schedule interviews. Once the interviews are completed I will the duration of about four weeks to transcribe, code and analyze the data. I will work with one framework at a time ensuring to construct my draft as I go. The first draft should be ready for edits by week six. It would be ideal to receive the edits by week seven so that I can diligently work on all corrections for the final approval no later than the eighth week. I plan to take my time with my research and devote all of my attention to make sure I am presenting relative and factual information to my audience. This is a rather sensitive yet evolving matter within our society and I anticipate my research will influence change in how we view one’s identity. It will provide the knowledge that we sometimes lack on matters that seem abnormal to us. I suspect it will grow the accommodations within in our society to make things more inclusive. Overall I believe my research will begin dialogue on accepting the new normal in all regards.

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References

Ball, Carlos. A. 2012. “The right to be parents: Lgbt families and the transformation of parenthood.”

Ghoshal, Neela, & Knight, Kyle 2016.” Rights in Transition: Making Legal Recognition for Transgender People a Global Priority.” In HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH (Author), World report 2016: Events of 2015 (pp. 21-32). Bristol: Bristol University Press

Kessler-Harris, Alice 2012. “Gender Identity and the Gendered Process.” The Journal of American History 99(3): 827–829.

Kirkland, Anna. 2006. “What’s at Stake in Transgender Discrimination as Sex Discrimination?” Signs 32(1): 83-111.

Miller, Diane H. 1998. “Freedom to Differ: The Shaping of the Gay and Lesbian Struggle for Civil Rights.” NYU Press.

Mize, Trenton. 2016. “Sexual Orientation in the Labor Market.” American Sociological Review 81(6): 1132-1160.

Pfeffer, Carla A. 2014. “I Don’t Like Passing as a Straight Woman”: Queer Negotiations of Identity and Social Group Membership.” American Journal of Sociology 120(1): 1–44.

Roof, Judith. 2002. “Is There Sex after Gender? Ungendering/The Unnameable". The Journal of the Midwest Modern Language Association 35(1): 50–67.

Vance, Kim, Mulé, Nick. J. Khan, Maryam & McKenzie, Camerson 2018. “The rise of SOGI: human rights for LGBT people at the United Nations.” In N. J. Mulé, N. Nicol, A. Jjuuko, R. Lusimbo, S. Ursel, A. Wahab, & P. Waugh (Eds.), Envisioning Global LGBT Human Rights: (Neo)colonialism, Neoliberalism, Resistance and Hope (pp. 223–246). London: University of London Press.

Vaughn, Shemya 2016. “Transgender Youth: Perceptions, Media Influences and Social Challenges.” Nova.

Wentling, Tre, Schilt, Kristen, Windsor, Elroi, & Lucal, Betsy 2008. “Teaching Transgender.” Teaching Sociology 36(1): 49-57.

Loveland, Barry 2020. “An Interview with Dr. Rachel Levine.” Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies 87(3): 546-563.

Espinoza, Robert 2016. “Protecting and Ensuring: The Well-Being of LGBT Older Adults: A Policy Roadmap.” Generations: Journal of the American Society on Aging 40(2): 87-93.

Turner, Ilona 2007. “Sex Stereotyping per Se: Transgender Employees and Title VII.” California Law Review 95(2): 561-596.