Gender Politics Citizenship, Activism, and Sexual Diversity

by Monro, Surya

• ISBN13: 9780745319698
• ISBN10: 0745319696
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-03-01
• Publisher: Pluto Press

Summary

Is it possible to move beyond the male-female gender binary system? What happens to gender theory when we consider sex and gender identities as more than just 'male' or 'female'? Crucially, what are the implications of gender and sexual fluidity and multiplicity for social policy, citizenship, new social movements and democracy? Gender Politics challenges ideas that we are all either male or female, and gay or straight. It explores the experiences of people who transgress these categories, and the social exclusion that they face. Surya Monro addresses topical debates concerning gender, and looks at different ways of theorising gender pluralism. She explains how gender and sexuality relate to other social characteristics such as 'race', class, and disability. As well as providing a way into some of the key academic discussions in the field of gender and sexuality, Gender Politics is also a tool for activists. Monro analyses the way in which mainstream citizenship, social policy, and democracy can -or cannot - be changed to reflect the needs of marginalised groups. She explores the social implications of equality for transgender, intersex, lesbian, gay and bisexual people, and assesses the conflicts within these communities.

Author Biography

Surya Monro has been involved in gender and sexuality activism for over 15 years. She completed her PhD on transgender politics at Sheffield University in 2000 and is Senior Research Fellow in the Policy Research Institute at Leeds Metropolitan University. She has published in various referred journals, has taught in the field and has spoken at a range of national and international conferences.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	vii
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations	ix
1. Introduction	1	(9)
Key Themes	3	(2)
The Organisation of this Book	5	(5)
2. Gender Theory	10	(33)
Trans and Gender/Sexual Orientation Complexity	11	(7)
Intersectionality	18	(4)
Overview of Existing Theories	22	(12)
Gender Pluralist Theory	34	(6)
Conclusion	40	(3)
3. Gender, Sexuality and Social Exclusion	43	(25)
Social Exclusion	44	(2)
The Social Exclusion of Gender and Sexual Minorities	46	(13)
The Discursive Underpinnings of Trans Exclusion	59	(7)
Conclusion	66	(2)
4. Social Policy Implications	68	(23)
Traditional Approaches to Social Policy	70	(2)
Post-structuralist Approaches to Social Policy	72	(5)
Equal Opportunities	77	(5)
Gender and Sexual Diversity: Some Policy Implications	82	(6)
Conclusion	88	(3)
5. Activism: Tensions and Alliances	91	(28)
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Communities: The Tensions	92	(8)
Feminism: The Exclusion of Bisexuality and Trans	100	(7)
Case Study: LGB Work in Local Government	107	(2)
Towards Rainbow Alliances	109	(4)
Universalism and Diversity	113	(4)
Conclusion	117	(2)
6. Gender, Sexuality and the New Social Movements	119	(28)
New Social Movements	120	(5)
Movements Associated with Gender and Sexuality	125	(19)
Conclusion	144	(3)
7. Citizenship	147	(22)
Mainstream Models of Citizenship	148	(2)
Feminist Models of Citizenship	150	(3)
Sexual Citizenships	153	(9)
Citizenship and Gender Diversity	162	(4)
Conclusion	166	(3)
8. Gender and Democracy	169	(25)
Democracy: An Overview	171	(4)
Gender and Sexual Diversity and Democracy	175	(9)
Feminism and Democracy	184	(7)
Conclusion	191	(3)
Glossary	194	(3)
Notes	197	(7)
Methodological Note	204	(3)
Bibliography	207	(15)
Index	222