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For a Sociology of Transsexualism

Myra J. Hird

School of Sociology and Social Policy, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland M.Hird{at}qub.ac.uk

The aim of this article is to explore the development of theories on transsexualism with a view to advancing a typology of theories of transsexualism. This typology exposes a general shift from concerns with `authenticity' (the transsexual as a `real' woman or man) to issues of `performativity' (the transsexual as hyperbolic enactment of gender). I will argue it is through a displacement of psychology with sociology as the major lens through which transsexualism is theorized that such a shift from authenticity to performativity is effected. The final typology considers the notion of transgression (rendering the modern two-gender system obsolete). The article argues that whilst transgression may be possible, it is not guaranteed by all forms of transsexualism.

Key Words: authenticity • ethnomethodology • performativity • symbolic interactionism • transgression • transsexualism

Sociology, Vol. 36, No. 3, 577-595 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/0038038502036003005
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