The spectrum of gender is changing drastically with a wave of activism. See how these trans feminists are shaping the conversation around equality in 2021
In 2018, when article 377 was abolished, the queer community got a boon to express their love and identity freely.
However, people who identify themselves as transmen or transwomen still find it challenging to be treated equally in social and professional spaces.
Trans Feminists believe that their biology can never be the final determinant of equal destiny. They strongly advocate of deconstruction of hetero-normative gender roles that restrict individuals to be in their most authentic selves.
Transhumanists believe that masculinity and femininity are a part of the patriarchal social construct that needs to be abolished to achieve gender equality.
Unlike cis-gender feminists, transfeminists believe in intersectionality rather than the concept of universal sisterhood.
In the digital age, transfeminist activists gain prominence amongst the millennial audience by shaping the conversation through fashion and art.
However, we also need to laude the ones who pioneered trans activism before the third wave of feminism began.
Here are the trans feminists that you should know about in 2021
1) Dr Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju
Trinetra broke the glass ceiling by being the first trans woman surgeon in Karnataka. Through fashion, art, and humour, she promotes inclusivity on her social media page.
Trinetra identifies herself as an intersectional trans feminist and leverages the platform Youtube to talk about sexuality, gender violence, inequality through her channel The Trinetra Method. Trinetra is vocal on Instagram to share her opinions about the political scenarios and the marginalized communities’ problems in society.
2) Vivek Shraya
Vivek Shraya is a trans artist, a professor of creative writing, and a musician from Canada. She uses her art forms and content to express gender identity and the need for gender fluidity in society. Her book, I am afraid of Men, talks about the trauma she faced to conform to her gender roles by birth.
Her music album in 2017- The Part-Time Woman, was received well in Canada.
Vivek is vocal about LGBTQ issues pertaining to queer mental health and economic justice.
3) Alok Menon
Alok Vaid Menon identifies themselves as a non-binary transfeminine performing artist, poet, and writer.
Menon’s writing speaks against the violence committed towards people of colour who belong to the Queer community.
They also have a website dedicated to the art, writings, and opinion shared by the members of the LGBTQ community.
4) Sylvia Rivera
Sylvia Rivera is an American trans woman of color who pioneered the Modern Gay Rights Movement in 1969. Her legacy lives to set the motion of LGBTQ activism in the USA, which revolutionized progressive laws to provide equality to the members of the Queer community5) Laith-Ashley de la Cruz
De La Cruz is a trans model who began his career to advocate for gender inclusivity in the entertainment industry.
His articles and interviews suggest the need to provide mental support to people who are undergoing gender transitions.
De La Cruz is an active spokesperson and strives to break the prejudices placed by society against trans people.
Conclusion:
For a gender-inclusive society that is equal, we need trans feminists and activists who can shape up the conversations. Their use of advocacy and art along with the status of digital creators give them the scope to change the mindsets of the future generation towards gender fluidity and equity.
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