Transborder discourses: Mainstreaming the transgender self

This article explores the challenges confronted by those who identify as gender non-conforming, especially transgender people, whose identities contradict the binary gender paradigm that permeates heteronormative cultures. They are thus frequently made invisible and marginalised, which forces them t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jibin Jose P, Amutha Dhanaraj
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Arts & Humanities
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2471189
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Summary:This article explores the challenges confronted by those who identify as gender non-conforming, especially transgender people, whose identities contradict the binary gender paradigm that permeates heteronormative cultures. They are thus frequently made invisible and marginalised, which forces them to live as forced subalterns. This research examines the complex intersections of marginalisation, the creation of gender identities, resistance, subaltern life and the pursuit of social inclusion within the Indian legal, social, and cultural frameworks through a critical examination of The Truth about Me: A Hijra Life Story. The memoir addresses the larger interconnections of gender and social hierarchies, providing an engaging narrative of the protagonist’s battle against social establishments that sustain marginalisation. The analysis delves into the cultural and legal factors that perpetuate the marginalisation of transgender people in Indian society, providing insights into the conflict between personal identity and societal expectations. The implications of the analysis extend to discourses on subalternity, agency, and gender justice, emphasising the memoir’s relevance in the continuing battle for transgender recognition and inclusion.
ISSN:2331-1983