Exploring trans people's lives in Britain, trans studies, geography and beyond: A review of research progress

Abstract

In this paper, I explore how trans people's lives have been conceptualised and researched in human geography. I begin by contextualising trans people's lived experiences in Britain, before recognising trans studies as a distinct field that must continue to shape geographies of trans lives and ontologies. I then consider more recent research in queer geographies which foregrounds trans lives under the ‘trans geographies' banner. I examine how space has been conceptualised in such research and demonstrate the methodological and conceptual absences and failings and problematic approaches that geographical research often perpetuates, arguing that work remains to ensure our research works with and is responsive to or developed by trans people. The paper concludes by calling upon geographers to recognise the diversities and potentialities of trans people's everyday lives and develop intersectionally‐attentive and reciprocal geographical research around trans lives, bodies, and spaces.

Sexualities and Social Justice: Young People and the Doing of Gender and Sexual Equalities in a Former Ship‐Building Community

“…Research further indicates trans people face disproportionate violence and discrimination across myriad spaces (DasGupta 2019; Jenzen 2017; Mearns et al. 2020; Roen 2018; Rooke 2010) evident in hate crime statistics (Stonewall 2017; Todd 2021). Various forms of “heteroactivism” which attempt to reaffirm heteronormative understandings by actively resisting equalities, such as anti‐gay marriage and anti‐abortion campaigners, have further been identified (Browne et al.…”

“…The jagged practice of equalities means Black, Indigenous, and minority LGBTQ+ people may endure racism and feel “out of place” in commercialised queer spaces (Davis 2021; Ruez 2017). Here, queer identity is premised on white norms (Logie and Rwigema 2014), while the sub‐field of trans studies remains “saturated by whiteness” (Todd 2021). For Puar (2013) the portrayal of LGBTQ+ equalities as white, Western, and “progressive” engenders global “terrorist assemblages” that legitimate white nationalism and sanction racial violence.…”

“…This surfaced in further conversations with young people regarding gender, dress, and the body, suggesting sexualities do not progress in temporal or spatially linear ways (Browne et al. 2021b; Oswin 2008; Todd 2021).

Jack: In my old school, I wore a skirt at the last prom because I spilled milk all over my pants. What happened?

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“…The spatially uneven aspects of this legislation are accentuated post-devolution, where the dictate of the Scottish parliament differs from current UK government policy. Research further indicates trans people face disproportionate violence and discrimination across myriad spaces (DasGupta 2019;Jenzen 2017;Mearns et al 2020;Roen 2018;Rooke 2010) evident in hate crime statistics (Stonewall 2017;Todd 2021). Various forms of "heteroactivism" which attempt to reaffirm heteronormative understandings by actively resisting equalities, such as anti-gay marriage and anti-abortion campaigners, have further been identified (Browne et al 2018(Browne et al , 2021bNash and Browne 2021).…”

What will it take to achieve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV?

“…77 , 78 Sex workers and trans communities have also documented diverse barriers to comprehensive SRH services in diverse settings. 79 – 81 …”