Transgender Youth

Catalog description

Trans identities in childhood are often depicted as something new, when, in fact, trans youth have existed throughout centuries and across cultures. As society has become more aware of transgender youth in the last two decades, a specific depiction of transgender identities in childhood has become prominent—one that characterizes trans children’s identities as always being binary (boy or girl), static (rather than fluid), and biologically based (“born in the wrong body”). In this course, we examine this standard depiction of trans youth, weigh its achievements and limitations, and consider how it’s been influenced by systems of oppression. We also trace its impact on family systems, medical practice, and state and national laws, among other factors. We juxtapose these more simplistic depictions of transgender youth with richer, more expansive portrayals of trans youthhood in history and art. Specifically, we look to archival evidence, oral histories, personal memoir, narrative fiction, and short- and feature-film. We also seek to understand the “gender clinic” from multiple vantage points. We conclude the class by examining key points in the history of trans youth activism, starting with an influential demonstration on the NYU campus in 1970 which we trace to its influence on trans youth in the present day. Students hear from the course instructors, in addition to a wide range of guest speakers, including activists, researchers, and leading clinicians and educators.