Paper short abstract:

My research focuses on trans (“travesti”) women’s body modifications as practices that situate them in the world while showing up the uncertainties generated by some biopolitical technologies which have failed when producing “undisciplined” and intelligible bodies who, ultimately, “deserved to die”.

Paper long abstract:

In this presentation, I seek to go beyond the agency/subordination dichotomy when talking about body modifications. My aim is to critically think about the intersection of bodies and technologies when it comes to questioning the limits of a “normal”, “healthy” and “productive” body (Hogle, 2005). I will focus on how trans (“travesti”) women modify their bodies to challenge the bases of a heteronormative society like ours. The use of hormones, silicone injections or cosmetic surgeries become practices that not only define the particularities of the travesti subculture in a given context, but also acquire a special meaning by giving the participants their place in the world. At the same time, travestis’ survival in a heteronormative context that dehumanises diverse genders and bodies, shows up how certain biopolitical technologies (Foucault, 2008) have failed when producing “undisciplined” bodies and beautiful citizens who – ultimately – “deserved to die” (Haritaworn et al., 2014).

In other words, this paper aims to analyse how travestis’ gendered bodies generate uncertainties in people with a dualistic thinking who believe travestis make an “inadequate” appropriation of some techniques and practices of body modification. However, the place of beauty in the construction of feminine and desirable bodies is of great importance to enable the travestis to become intelligible subjects and admired by their peers, ciswomen and men.