Still Trapped in the U.S. Media's Closet: Representations of Gender-Variant, Pre-Adolescent Children

Online reverse discourses? Claiming a space for trans voices

In recent years, online media have offered to trans people helpful resources to create new political, cultural and personal representations of their biographies. However, the role of these media in the construction of their social and personal identities has seldom been addressed. Drawing on the theoretical standpoint of positioning theory and diatextual discourse analysis, this paper discusses the results of a research project about weblogs created by Italian trans women. In particular, the aim of this study was to describe the ways online resources are used to express different definitions and interpretation of transgenderism, transsexuality and gender transitioning. We identified four main positioning strategies: “Transgender”, “Transsexual before being a woman”, “A woman who was born male” and “Just a normal woman”. We conclude with the political implications of the pluralization of narratives about gender non-conformity. Specifically, we will highlight how aspects of neoliberal discourses have been appropriated and rearticulated in the construction of gendered subjectivities.

Addressing the Gender Continuum: A Concept Analysis

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this concept analysis aims to bring awareness of the gender continuum to nurse educators and students and break down gender stereotypes.

METHOD

Using the Walker and Avant concept analysis approach, this analysis is based on a transcultural nursing theory framework.

RESULTS

Gender continuum is an umbrella concept, accounting for components beyond how a person identifies. These components include how one conforms to gender roles, expresses gender outwardly, and anatomical or biological characteristics one possesses.

DISCUSSION

Nursing students must recognize gender alternatives beyond male and female to provide culturally competent care for transgender and gender nonconforming patients. The impact of this analysis can result in a better understanding of the gender continuum among nurse educators and the dissemination of knowledge to nursing students. Broader knowledge of this concept can lead to dissolution of gender binaries in health care and more culturally competent care provision for all patients.