Trans-masculinities, embodiments and the materiality of gender: bridging the gap

Transsexual and transgender men have had less visibility than other forms of gender variance, thus occupying a relatively narrow space in gender, masculinity or even trans-scholarship. They are neither particularly relevant subjects of masculinity studies nor particularly visible in Trans Studies. Furthermore, the theoretical and political struggles that separate theorization about butch female masculinities and the FtM transitions have contributed to an even higher invisibility of trans-men and a misconceptualization of their potential as emancipatory subjects in the field of gender as doers of masculinities. Drawing on fieldwork with trans-men in Portugal and the United Kingdom, two lines of argument will be developed. Firstly, from a theoretical standpoint, the importance of building bridges between different areas of critical gender studies, namely Critical Studies on Men and Masculinities and Trans Studies is advocated. Secondly, with the aim of contributing to a fruitful dialogue between two key areas of critical gender studies, trans-masculinities are discussed as practice, place and effect. Following Connell’s proposal, it is suggested that redressing the conceptual premises of masculinity is a fundamental step so as to understand the plurality of trans embodiments, bodily materiality and the possibilities of doing masculinity without men.