Abstract
Transgender history and American history are inextricably linked, yet the history of trans people remains overlooked by the social sciences within higher education in America. The role of colonization in creating and sustaining the gender binary norm is not often discussed in undergraduate social science curriculum and remains relatively unknown. The lack of education combined with the weaponization and demonization of trans people in American politics has resulted in an epidemic of violence against the trans community, and particularly against trans women of color. The absence of trans inclusive undergraduate social science curriculum perpetuates transphobia and fosters health and social inequities, oppression and systematic erasure from American society. However, the intentional inclusion of trans history and education within the social sciences has the potential to make meaningful strides toward decreasing transphobia. Strategies to integrate trans history and LGBTQ+ history in general into mainstream social science undergraduate curriculum can be powerful tools to dismantle trans erasure and promote solidarity and decrease violence.
Presenters
Satara CharlsonProfessor, Social Work, Arts & Sciences, University of Massachusetts Global, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Beyond Borders: The Role of the Humanities in Reimagining Communities
KEYWORDS
Transgender; Transphobia; Higher Education; History
