Transexual “Womanhood” and the Emergence of Transfeminism: Rhetorics of Hiv/Aids in the Light of the Queer Theory

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the female transsexual identity and the emergence of transfeminism through the context of vulnerability to HIV / AIDS in light of the Queer Theory. Method: a qualitative, descriptive, exploratory study based on the Queer Theory, carried out in a reference hospital for HIV/AIDS in the State of Pernambuco (Brazil), developed with six young transsexual women. The interviews were analyzed in the IRaMuTeQ software via the similarity analysis method. Results: the relation of male domination through the subordination of the transsexual woman, which originates in the binary, sexist and male chauvinistic heteronormative model, is emphasized. The context of vulnerability to HIV / AIDS is evidenced as a naturalized phenomenon of violence to the young "queer" woman, especially with precarious living conditions, history of family rejection, sexual violence and informal prostitution work. Lack of support from the social network and the imminent risk of transphobic violence result in damage to their physical and mental integrity. The following categories were observed: Emergence of transfeminism through symbolic violence and female transsexual identity and the context of vulnerability. Conclusion: the social impacts of the minimal state policy, social class cohesion (binarism, sexism, racism and male chauvinism), unequal social capital and culture of abjection of transsexual women reflect the context of the HIV / AIDS epidemic and inequalities that result in individual, contextual and programmatic vulnerability and in factors which limit the attainment of a healthy life.

Gender violence perpetrated against trans women

“…Gender violence gives the person, in general the woman, the distorted image of less control and power over themselves in relation to a dominant figure, most of the time, male. The latter believes that they can even control the lives they judge to be inferior, which, in the condition of trans women, causes more exposure to social and health problems, such as HIV and other morbidities (20)(21)25,27,29,32,35) . Gender violence perpetrated against trans women is supported by female behavior and the expression of this woman's identity, permeating the psychological, verbal, physical, economic, sexual, family and labor fields, with a worsening of the context of exclusion and stigma (36) .…”

“…This exposure to the virus and other health problems can occur through forced sexual initiation and through family and social rejection of her identity, which drives her to sex work as a means of survival. The latter can also be the cause of more aggression and extortion from clients and/or ruffians (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)35) .…”

“…Exposure to HIV can also stem from assaults by strangers, sex with multiple partners, prison settings and even abuse by the police or other service providers. One can also add the context of illegal migration, in which the susceptibility to sexual violence is extreme, as well as the fear of being murdered during acts of violence, which prevents them from requesting the use of condoms and from seeking support legal and health (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)35) .…”

A sintomatologia depressiva entre lésbicas, gays, bissexuais e transexuais: um olhar para a saúde mental

“…Esse agravo ainda hoje é marcado pelo preconceito atrelado à população LGBT em associação com faces negativas como mortalidade e medo. Esta correlação HIV e LGBT é histórica, pois, desde o início da pandemia da Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Humana (AIDS), na década de 1980, houve um expressivo número de casos neste grupo 18 .…”

“…Tais números são coerentes àqueles expostos na questão sobre sentimento de tristeza em razão de situações vividas relacionadas à orientação sexual/expressão de gênero, onde apenas 1(7,1%) dos entrevistados relata o sentimento e, mesmo assim, o incômodo maior parte de um estigma da doença sobressaindo-se à sua sexualidade. Como exemplo disso, podemos citar figuras públicas que vivenciaram o HIV e que foram estigmatizadas e rotuladas por sua associação com a não heteronormatividade, como os cantores e compositores Cazuza e Freddie Mercury 18 .…”