Feminists of the past two and a half decades have been influential in the debates about the meaning of womanhood. Transsexualism as a state of being, and transsexuals themselves, have periodically presented challenging issues to the discussion. As a result, the boundaries of womanhood are being questioned and membership in sex and gender categories are being contested by transsexuals and non-transsexuals within feminist debates. Conflicts arise when questions of transsexuals' womanhood come to the forefront, and one controversy centres on whether sex and gender statuses change for transsexuals. Do male-to-female transsexuals become women (if ever)? Do male-to-female transsexuals become female (if ever)? Should transsexual women be included in women-only events? The last question stirs the debate that has been brewing in feminist communities since the 1970s. And because women-only events are largely organized and attended by lesbians, lesbians have often been at the forefront of feminist debates about the womanhood of transsexual women. There has been much lively debate in the 1970s and again in the 1990s on the topic of transsexualism, however there has been little research specifically looking at feminist attitudes about transsexuals. To expand our knowledge in these areas, the concepts of womanhood is explored from a feminist perspective. A context is provided with a review of radical feminist, radical lesbian feminist and lesbian separatist theories. Feminist literature on the issue of transsexualism is presented to show the many sides of the debate. Praxis of radical feminism is illustrated using the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival as an example of women-only space, a model of feminist-separatist utopia and a site where transsexual women have not been welcome. With this foundation, analysis of survey question results are presented to determine whether feminist attitudes, as presented in the literature, aptly reflect non-lesbian and lesbian feminist perspectives on transsexuals' womanhood. This thesis concludes with a discussion of the findings and suggestions for further study. / Graduate / 0626

本研究主要通過對香港七位MTFs（變性女人）進行深度訪談，以她們的經驗為立足點，探討其性別認同和體現（embodiment），及從中反映何種的性別文化及話語權力關係，並思考改變的可能。 / 香港社會和制度對變性人長期忽視，公眾也對變性人存在不少誤解和歧視。學術上香港缺少專門關注變性（者）經驗的研究，但性/別研究界卻受到西方主流性/別理論及論述的影響，把變性者想像為顛覆性別規範的戰士。同時，這些想像或理念也存在於本地性/別小眾運動裡。面對各種誤解或迷思，我認為亟需一種在地的探討--香港特有的脈絡和變性主體的經驗--來建構在地的變性和性/別知識與理論。 / 論文在性別作為話語、結構、體現三個層面展開：展現MTFs與醫療體制及話語的互動，她們並非被動的接受者，而是懂得利用緊缺資源和有限話語的主體；呈現她們在性別二元結構下受的壓迫及其生存策略，反映社會建構性別空間的限制；面對與自己身體及親密關係裡的矛盾，她們的主體性在徘徊、掙扎、妥協、協商、反抗中體現；從她們的切身經驗反思學術及運動裡主流性/別話語的局限。最後從女性主義的立場再思變性者為理論和實踐帶來的新視野，提出模糊主體疆界來超越當下主流的顛覆對保守二元思維、消融小眾對大眾對立模式之可能。 / This study is mainly based on in-depth interviews with seven local MTFs (Male-to-Females/Transsexual women) in Hong Kong. Taking off from MTFs’ lived experiences, the study focuses on their gender identity and embodiment, and explores the power relationships and discourses of gender in our culture. And it also suggests some possibilities for ideological and social changes. / The rights and needs of transsexual people have been neglected in our society, and there are often misunderstandings and discrimination from the public. In academic context, there is a lack of consideration for transsexual people’s voices and experiences in gender studies in Hong Kong. In particular, in the field of gender studies - nowadays seemingly dominated by sexuality issues - there is a non-critical tendency to imagine transsexual people to be warriors who subvert gender dualism and gendernorms warriors. Such imagination or discourse also exists in local movements of sexual and gender minorities. Realizing these misunderstandings and myths in society, academia and movement, I think a more localized and grounded study is needed to construct new knowledge and theories about transsexuality and gender/sexuality. / This thesis analyzes MTFs’ experiences at three levels: gender as discourse (including medical and theoretical-political), gender as structure, and gender as embodiment. Firstly, by analyzing how MTFs interact with the medical institution and discourse, I find that MTFs did not or do not play a passive or victim role, but nevertheless they can make use of these medical resources, although limited and restricted, to “do gender. And then, I explore oppression and survival strategies of MTFs living within the gender structure, and the possibilities and limitation of doing gender in our society can be analyzed. Afterwards, I reveal the contradictions inside MTFs’ own bodies and intimate relationships. Only by looking into their hesitation, struggling, compromise, negotiation and resistance in these contradictions can their gender embodiment and subjectivity be understood. The last analytical part focuses on what critiques and reflection MTFs’ experiences could bring us on the mainstream gender/sexuality discourses and identity politics in academia and movement. In conclusion, by theorizing transsexuality, with insights from feminist epistemology, I suggest destabilization and melting the boundary among different subjects, in order to surpass the binary thinking of Subversion vs Convention, and transcend the structure of opposing the Minority vs Majority into new theoretical, practical and political possibilities. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / 陳文彦. / "2012年3月". / "2012 nian 3 yue". / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 174-178). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in Chinese and English. / Chen Wenyan. / 簡介 --- p.I / 感謝 --- p.III / 目錄 --- p.V / Chapter 第一章 --- 背景 --- p.1 / Chapter 1 --- 語言的局限 --- p.1 / Chapter 2 --- 變性的社會背景 --- p.3 / Chapter 2.1 --- 美國變性歷史和GID的誕生 --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2 --- 香港變性的醫療背景介紹 --- p.7 / Chapter 2.3 --- 香港和變性有關的法律介紹 --- p.9 / Chapter 2.4 --- 香港跨性別、變性的研究概括 --- p.11 / Chapter 2.5 --- 和變性有關的香港社會文化 --- p.11 / Chapter 2.6 --- 香港的跨性別社群與組織 --- p.13 / Chapter 3 --- 我的故事 --- p.14 / Chapter 3.1 --- 我的性/別經歷 --- p.14 / Chapter 3.2 --- 我與女性主義 --- p.16 / Chapter 3.3 --- 廣州人在香港 --- p.17 / Chapter 第二章 --- 文獻回顧與概念框架 --- p.18 / Chapter 1 --- 文獻回顧 --- p.18 / Chapter 1.1 --- 西方變性研究 --- p.19 / Chapter 1.2 --- 非西方變性研究 --- p.23 / Chapter 1.3 --- 香港本土研究 --- p.25 / Chapter 2 --- 理論爭議 --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1 --- 分離女性主義論述下的變性者 --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2 --- 北美跨性別政治下的變性者 --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3 --- 顛覆主流性/別的論述 --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4 --- 小結：研究的借鑒 --- p.30 / Chapter 3 --- 本研究的概念框架 --- p.31 / Chapter 3.1 --- 性別作為社會結構 --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2 --- 性別作為話語與權力關係 --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3 --- 性別作為體現 --- p.41 / Chapter 3.4 --- 小結 --- p.44 / Chapter 第三章 --- 研究問題與方法論 --- p.45 / Chapter 1 --- 研究問題 --- p.45 / Chapter 2 --- 女性主義方法論 --- p.47 / Chapter 2.1 --- 主體經驗：研究的起始點 --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2 --- 以女性主義為指導的研究實踐 --- p.47 / Chapter 3 --- 研究設計與執行 --- p.49 / Chapter 3.1 --- 文獻、文件資料收集 --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2 --- 與專業人士訪談 --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3 --- 與TS訪談 --- p.51 / Chapter 4 --- 研究的倫理 --- p.56 / Chapter 5 --- 方法論的反思 --- p.57 / Chapter 5.1 --- 「朋友-研究者」的位置 --- p.57 / Chapter 5.2 --- 「學者」與「學習者」 --- p.58 / Chapter 5.3 --- 介乎於當局者和局外人的位置 --- p.58 / Chapter 第四章 --- 性別作為醫療體制和話語 --- p.60 / Chapter 1 --- 香港的變性醫療制度 --- p.60 / Chapter 1.1 --- 香港醫療制度簡介 --- p.60 / Chapter 1.2 --- 變性醫療服務的歷史 --- p.62 / Chapter 1.3 --- 變性醫療服務的資源問題 --- p.64 / Chapter 1.4 --- 有心人遊走的空間 --- p.66 / Chapter 2 --- 變性醫療話語的運作 --- p.68 / Chapter 2.1 --- GID話語分析 --- p.69 / Chapter 2.2 --- 香港變性醫療話語：灰色地帶背後的話語/權力運作 --- p.72 / Chapter 3 --- MTFs與醫療體制的互動 --- p.74 / Chapter 3.1 --- 輾轉的變性歷程 --- p.74 / Chapter 3.2 --- 取得一定的話語權 --- p.77 / Chapter 4 --- MTFs與GID話語的互動 --- p.78 / Chapter 4.1 --- GID作為MTFs自我理解與表達的途徑 --- p.79 / Chapter 4.2 --- 對GID除病化的思考 --- p.82 / Chapter 5 --- 小結 --- p.87 / Chapter 第五章 --- 性別作爲社會結構 --- p.89 / Chapter 1 --- 非主流性別氣質在青少年時期的生存空間 --- p.90 / Chapter 1.1 --- 壓制，欺凌，孤立 --- p.90 / Chapter 1.2 --- 生存策略 --- p.92 / Chapter 2 --- MTFs在工作場所的生存空間 --- p.96 / Chapter 3 --- 敏銳的「自動判別性別機制」 --- p.103 / Chapter 3.1 --- 衣著打扮的性別意涵 --- p.103 / Chapter 3.2 --- 聲音與性別判別機制 --- p.105 / Chapter 3.3 --- 身體、氣質與性別判別機制 --- p.107 / Chapter 4 --- 性別二分場所 --- p.109 / Chapter 5 --- 異性戀規範的性別秩序 --- p.112 / Chapter 6 --- MTFs與家庭的互動 --- p.115 / Chapter 7 --- 小結 --- p.119 / Chapter 第六章 --- 性別作為矛盾中的體現（embodiment） --- p.121 / Chapter 1 --- 體認的矛盾 --- p.122 / Chapter 2 --- 性/別體現（the embodiment of gender and sexuality） --- p.126 / Chapter 2.1 --- 親密關係 --- p.127 / Chapter 2.2 --- 矛盾的性興奮/性幻想 --- p.130 / Chapter 2.3 --- 小結：性態與變性者的主體性 --- p.131 / Chapter 3 --- 身體的實踐 --- p.132 / Chapter 3.1 --- 作為客體的身體 --- p.133 / Chapter 3.2 --- 作為卑賤體（abject）的身體 --- p.135 / Chapter 3.3 --- 作為主體的身體 --- p.137 / Chapter 4 --- 小結：矛盾中體現的主體性 --- p.142 / Chapter 第七章 --- 性別作為政治身份（political identity）：變性者与政治身份/身份政治 --- p.144 / Chapter 1 --- 概述變性者與三種政治身份 --- p.145 / Chapter 2 --- MTFs在身份認同上的差異：想像中的「跨性別」？ --- p.147 / Chapter 3 --- MTFs與性（別）小眾運動：有志未必一同？ --- p.152 / Chapter 4 --- 顛覆性別二元之外的可能？ --- p.155 / Chapter 第八章 --- 結論 --- p.158 / Chapter 1 --- 對理論框架的反思 --- p.158 / Chapter 2 --- 對西方有關變性（者）的三個理論爭議之回應 --- p.159 / Chapter 2.1 --- 變性醫療制度及話語的複雜性 --- p.160 / Chapter 2.2 --- 肯定變性女人作為女人的經驗 --- p.161 / Chapter 2.3 --- 超越保守vs顛覆的論述：變性（女）人在理論與運動定位 --- p.163 / Chapter 3 --- 再思主體與主體性 --- p.165 / Chapter 3.1 --- 「自相矛盾」的主體 --- p.166 / Chapter 3.2 --- 變化：主體性的體現 --- p.167 / Chapter 3.3 --- 聽見主體的眾生喧嘩 --- p.168 / Chapter 3.4 --- 與矛盾共存的主體 --- p.170 / Chapter 3.5 --- p.171 / Chapter 4 --- 小結：變性者的矛盾與可能 --- p.172 / p.174

This study examines the coming out process for transgendered individuals using the framework of Austin's speech act: the locutionary force, the illocutionary force, and the perlocutionary force. A grounded theory analysis of 43 letters in two different Internet databases revealed similarities and differences in the coming out process for transgendered individuals, compared to what we know about the process for gay and lesbian people. Similarities were found in all three acts: labels and scripts are used in the locutionary act; confession, education, affirmation and remorse are used as framing strategies in the illocutionary act; and rejection and acknowledgement are addressed in the perlocutionary act. Unique aspects of the coming out process for transgendered individuals include the importance of and reliance on labels in the locutionary act, education in the illocutionary act, and the visualization and cooperation of others in the perlocutionary act. These findings have a number of important practical and theoretical implications for interpersonal relationships and scholarship. / Department of Communication Studies

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2009. Graduate Programme in Interdisciplinary Studies. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 170-179). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR51556

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2005. / Title from PDF title page screen. Includes bibliographical references (p. 66-73)

Thesis (LL. M.)--University of Toronto, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-145).

Thesis (M.A.)--Georgia State University, 2006. / 1 electronic text (218 p.) : digital, PDF file. Title from title screen. Mindy Stombler, committee chair; Elisabeth O. Burgess, Wendy Simonds, committee members. Description based on contents viewed Apr. 5, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 207-218).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-71)

Thesis (doctoral)--La Salle University, 2003. / ProQuest dissertations and theses ; AAT 3108293. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 33-37).

O presente trabalho de pesquisa traz uma nova abordagem e novos personagens dentro do contexto educacional. A pedagogia do salto alto é uma nova leitura que traz as histórias de professoras transexuais e travestis atuantes na educação brasileira como personagens que, por muito tempo, ficaram escondidas ou à margem da sociedade. A partir das histórias de vida apresentadas, analiso tópicos importantes e significativos, norteando o tema da Educação, transversalizando com outros temas como sexualidade, gênero, violência e preconceito. Também proponho, neste trabalho, apontar alguns caminhos possíveis na busca de uma educação possível, a partir destes novos sujeitos. / The present research provides a new approach and new characters into the educational context. The pedagogy of the high heels is a new point of view that brings the stories of transsexuals and transvestites teachers that work in Brazilian education as characters who had long remained hidden or placed on the margins of society. From these life stories I analyze important and significant topics driven by the theme of education traversed by other issues such as gender, sexuality, violence and prejudice. In this paper, I also suggest to point out some paths that aims a perspective of education possible from these new subjects.