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Accepted Paper:
Transgenderism as disability in the politics of identity in Japan
Karen Nakamura
(Yale University)
Paper short abstract:
In contemporary Japan, many transgender and transsexual activists have chosen to ally themselves with disability activism, rather than as queer allies as with most of the West. This paper explores the historical, cultural, and linguistic roots of transgender politics in Japan.
Paper long abstract:
In contemporary Japan, many transgender and transsexual activists have chosen to ally themselves with disability activism, rather than as queer allies as with most of the West. Part of this is due to the Japanese translation of gender identity disorder (GID) as gender-identity-disability. This allowed for interpellation into the powerful disability political frame in Japan at the risk of considerable diminution of radical aspects of the movement. Through ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Tokyo in 2011-2012, this paper explores the historical, cultural, and linguistic roots of transgender politics in Japan.