Description

This text is an examination of the connections and lack of connections between male-to-female transvestism and feminism. The representation of transvestism in three autobiographies and one collection of diary entries are examined with reference to key themes identified in background literature. The author sought to discover whether transvestism's apparent property of Paradoxical Identity could be linked to a socially constructive feminist approach to identity. He also assessed how acceptable transvestism is to the autobiography authors under the theme of Shame. Gender and Sexuality formed the third theme, suggested as central to transvestite existence by background literature. Whether the above themes lead to transvestism's interpretation as a Full-time or Part- time identity, formed the focus of the fourth theme. Finally, there is a discussion of an alternative gendered interpretation of some transvestism, a suggestion of how the transvestite might Become an Other. This book is intended for those interested in the relationship of trans subjectivities to modern feminisms.