Toward a Trans* Masculine Genealogy in South America

Latin American trans* masculine individuals have often been erased from public discourse, both within their societies and trans studies. On the one hand, region, it is frequent to hear that masculinities are invisible. This invisibility or, rather, this erasure of our subjectivities, directly related fact identities not recognized as such thus disregarded (Álvarez Broz 2017; Fernández Romero, Torres, Lenzi 2021). situation can be attributed anti-trans discourses conservative progressive sectors, including trans-exclusionary radical feminists (TERFs), some sectors consider themselves allies a “trans* movement” yet do address its plurality. Cissexist historical narratives also overlooked certain aspects histories crucial for understanding biographies community-building political practices.Within studies, tended fall through cracks. whole, studies leans global North–centric (Rizki 2019), similar queer, gay, lesbian (Pérez Radi 2019). Moreover, work on in America outside region usually focuses travestis women (Radi 2018, 2019; Rizki Trans* contributions rights movements undervalued at times even unacknowledged.In article, we focus South existence, especially continent's southern region. We begin by recuperating subjects who read historians cissexist framework examples “strategic transvestism,” category suggests “transvestism” was employed ruse gain upward social mobility.1 attend instead these subjects' narratives, histories, first-person accounts, suggesting that, rather than strategic transvestism, interest broader archive. Second, highlight practices, experiences transitioned during or soon after region's dictatorial period twentieth century. In doing so, suggest differences conditions possibility emergence communities departure contouring force US national histories. Finally, underscore activists 1990s present, calling attention local scale. Throughout piece, draw largely research many scholars emerged over past decades.There number archives, notary acts, biographies, memoirs—to extent fictionalized—from eighteenth century beginning existence people who, though assigned female birth, lived most all lives self-identified men, Enrique Faver, Amelio Robles Ávila, Antonio Ytá, Raúl Suárez. These cases studied classified researchers posed men husbands despite might, close analysis archive, espousing identifications practices might present (Halberstam 1998).In specific case America, understood today masculinities, least birth majority entirety lives, later “women impersonated men” (examples Abercrombie 2008; González Pagés 2012). categories reinforced central premise cissexism, which views persons less “real” “authentic” cis counterparts (Cabral 2009; 2015). Especially recent scholarship nineteenth century, has considered strategy used achieve kind mobility. Such an interpretation contributes denying agency.Although could problematic associate with masculinity time when did exist, true those wrote interpreted stories hesitate label subjects—who were allowed name themselves—as imposters (Martínez Skidmore Simonetto As mentioned above, transvestism” ways referring named given interpret “passing opposite sex” means power reap other benefits. contrast, cultural critics Juliana Martínez (2017) reconstruct criticize reading Faver's life. Following against archival grain, prioritize persons' scarce testimonies how they (Skidmore 2017) narrate recover trajectories. approach espoused Marta V. Vicente (2021), emphasizes importance using individuals' own self-descriptors, while upholding utility terms trans*, encompass experience living one's gender across history. manner, alleged nonexistence America—or, best, limited existence—is strongly linked denial masculinities.The voices appear articulating desires contrast produced, regulated, inscribed dominant institutions tabloid press historiography (Disalvo 2020). whose addressed Thomas (2008: 6), “unmasked” (in Abercrombie's terms) reported his wife 1803 presumably tricking her, he actually “a woman dressed man.” Yet if look sources, see had only served governor town Moxos, Bolivia, man under same name; himself narrates, male decade until wife's accusation led him examined town's doctor surgeon. Supplementing account, mother provided documents statements backed Ytá’s position, showing her son long expressed, terms, “heterosexual sexuality” “convincingly natural” (13). If Antonio's mother's without bias, claim years before any institutional position available him. Thus, although cannot elaborate further here, there elements account alternative does render transvestism.”Another interesting Luis Suárez, obtained identification Argentina 1910s officially citizen. historian Patricio (2021) reconstructs, Suárez married Amalia Gómez 1912 whole life man, moving high society holding prestigious jobs customs officer. 1930 “true discovered doctors hospitalization subsequent death. The covered story “the extraordinary [R——] pretended 25 years” (Caras & caretas1930; former legal omitted here). Previously, Arturo de Aragón magazine “mujer-hombre” (woman-man; Caras caretas 1906). Like Luis, much known “dressing well” having opportunity mixed up more amorous women” (J. 2012: 114). magazine's insistence fraudulent nature reinscribes fraud deception, simultaneously sensationalizing criminalizing expressions masculinity. It denies agency exhibited constructing various Antonio, Raúl, isolated incidents: part genealogy what stories, viewpoint overlooks accounts sources. manner narrating writings early but persisted periods transexual transgénero already adopted communities. That say, self-identification trans, transgender, manhood mostly 2020) segments feminist LGBTQ+ activism, present. parallel, late twentieth-century activism tracing face current increase topic. following section, potential milestones region.The temporality varies between regions shaped conditions. United States Canada, 1970s saw growth FTM communities, first groups publications, example Rupert Raj Toronto Lou Sullivan San Francisco (Stryker 2008). large controlled military dictatorships 1960s 1980s, established particular medical transitions, community building, activism. dictatorships, networked, uneven effects transition. For example, Chile, government dictator Augusto Pinochet undergo surgical interventions obtain recognition 1970s; Fernanda Carvajal (2018) holds Chilean authorities favorable toward procedures, realign “correct” authoritarian regime designated “deviant bodies” moral order. countries Brazil, genital reassignment surgeries illicit governments. Specifically, existed general prohibition “mutilation” (Neves 2016: 167). period, operations forbidden National Law No. 17,132 unless authorized judge.This context similarly framed recorded transitions trans. Brazil João W. Nery underwent clandestine gender-related 1977 Brazilian dictatorship illegal. He acquired documentation claiming civil registry office never registered child. change deeply affected professional life, however: lost ability use degree psychologist specialized sexuality, issued previous name, no recourse (Nery 2011). mid-1980s Eugenio Talbot Wright began transitioning socially medically teenager. Although country's ended 1983, sexual deviants continued suffer harsh persecution hands police. reports being frequently arrested police raids gay bars misdemeanor dressing “opposite (Oliva Similar regulations still throughout country 2000s, (for Berkins J. 2013).Travel transnational circulation knowledge important lives. (2011) recounts learned about transsexual trip France, where them chance journal found bookstore. traveled Chile operations, common practice among circumvent requirement judicial authorization Argentina. attended university Cuba, ideal my parents, socialist country,” describes transphobic “not me, because I'd surgery ‘cured’” According widespread popular beliefs time, transsexuality “cured” normalize deviant pathological corporalities.We know details widely publicize status. Both came forth publicly 2010s generated visibility individuals. anonymously published autobiography Erro pessoa: Joana ou (Wrong Person: João) 1984. became visibly active member 2011, updated version 1984 memoir, name: Viagem solitária: Memórias um trinta anos depois (Solitary Journey: Memoir Transexual Thirty Years Later). Wright's case, desaparecido (a activist kidnapped, tortured, exterminated government), participated anti-genocide human starting 1990s, experienced resistance relatives desaparecidos2 presence shameful. share participate activism.In parallel slowly begun flourish around turn Most organized onward; however, transgender develop organizations. Ivo Schuster organization, TRANSDEVI—Transexuales por el Derecho la Vida y Identidad (Transexuals Right Life Identity) (see TRANSDEVI 1994). Founded 1991, organization advocated “sex change” (Butierrez A few later, Argentina, identified manhood—including Mauro Cabral Grinspan, career discuss below—joined bisexual create group called Las Iguanas. They printed bulletin 1998 1999 issues figured prominently, several articles transgéneros masculinos references North authors Leslie Feinberg Aaron Devor. publication contains uses words broadly feminine 2000s; then, travesti.In twenty-first specifically organizations America. Entre-Tránsitos created Colombia Hombres Trans Argentinos (HTA) founded 2010, year Asociación Travestis, Transexuales Transgéneros (ATTTA) dedicated space (ATTTA Trans); Associação Brasileira Homens (ABHT) Instituto Brasileiro Transmasculinidades (IBRAT) 2012 2013. However, notorious advocacy reaches weaves together different geographic scales.In instance, 2005 Andrés Rivera Duarte OTD, Organización Dignidad Diversidad (Transexual Organization Dignity Diversity), devoted rights. OTD worked locally achieving individuals, 2009 consultative status—a status granted nongovernmental allows voice major organizations—with (CLAM 2010). aforementioned Grinspan involved regional focusing intersex issues. contributed key changes international system. 2007 original signatories Yogyakarta Principles, series application law orientation identity. Later, cofounded New York–based GATE (initially Global Action Equality, now Trans, Gender Diverse Intersex Advocacy Action). Alongside organizations, main driving forces behind revision World Health Organization's International Classification Diseases, removed Chapter Mental Behavioral Disorders (Suess Schwend 2020).These well impact. helped instances reassignment. Principles precedent Identity (National 26,743; 2012), continues cutting-edge, grants right identity, depathologized, cost-free access and/or transitional health care. credited law, philosopher Blas Radi, lawyer Taddeo C.C., Fernando Rodríguez HTA played roles integral law's passage.Also leading role struggle reproductive justice. Beginning Sfeir, Tomás Mascolo, Frente Masculinidades, raised inclusion abortion movement, rose prominence Congress passed bill broadening termination 2020 (Fernández Romero goal fully included negotiations issue, succeeded expanding language include “persons capacity gestate” addition “women” no. 27,610). sought make visible obstacles encountered accessing assisted technologies pregnancy care (Mendieta Vidal-Ortiz 2021).In home country, “new” phenomenon, single But piece suggested, identify transgénero, half longer. why thorough into archives needed brush conventional expose enable new people's deeds past. will longer reproduced accounts. call anti-cisnormative readings extends beyond and, indeed, academic scholarship. urgency task materializes young Argentinian Tehuel Torre. After disappearance 2021, parts violence women, femicide, repeated demands respect find alive. constitutes physical, discursive, epistemological renders unlivable, ungrievable, unimaginable.Although brevity article us explore countries, hope brief overview serves indication temporalities, spatialities, modalities contingent historical, cultural, Without possible similarities comparative may find, believe necessary question universality genealogies drawn positions. deeper exploration politics would show agenda rooted circumstances, like movement. elsewhere 2021; Mendieta 2021), strong Argentina's depathologized identities, eliminating forced sterilization. Depathologization itself movement system resembled privatized health-care system, loss insurance coverage affirmative procedures concern. Again, line serve provincialize analyses agendas, interrogating possibility.Finally, highlighted (and general) receiving end influences made arenas field health. ideas, subjectivities requires attention.