Live Tonight! I'm joined by Trans.Peaks to read and discuss the Sizhen System's new work of transfeminist theory: Gender Ternary and [Faggot] Subalternization
Join us on Twitch for a live read-through and chat.
Hello everyone!
(whose work I have been an outspoken fan of on this newsletter) just released an updated version of her theory of the Gender Ternary, previously sometimes known as her theory of faggot subalternization.
This theory suggests that there are really three gender classes in society: Power, Not-Power, and Faggot Subaltern, the latter of which is pushed to a marginalized position within society in order to maintain the power hierarchy between the Powers and Not-Powers. Sizhen’s updated version of this theory expands upon her previous thoughts and responds to a lot of the enthusiastic feedback and critiques it inspired, making an already paradigm-shifting work even more rich.
I think a lot of people would benefit from engaging with this theory. Ever since reading Sizhen’s original piece, I can’t help seeing evidence of the Faggot Subaltern and how gender-variant people get thrown into it everywhere I go. I also believe that the framework of the Gender Ternary can really help resolve a lot of conflicts that come up in conversations among trans people about where, exactly, the lines of gender-based oppression are drawn.
Do trans men suffer from misogyny? What about visibly effeminate, gender non-conforming people who are not trans women? Is homophobia still homophobia if it hit the “wrong” target? Gender Ternary Theory does away with the need for semantic debates or hypotheticals surrounding identity and states that gender is a class position imposed on you by society; gendering is a thing done to you with violence, not a choice you make in your presentation or self-concept.
To help make this excellent piece of gender theory more accessible and encourage further discussion, I’m going to hop on a livestream this evening with my good homie, the transfeminist writer and meme page admin Trans.Peaks /
to read through it aloud and offer our commentary.Come join us to listen & chat at Twitch.tv/drdevonprice at 6:30pm PST / 7:30 MST / 8:30 CST / 9:30 pm EST. The full conversation will be archived on my Youtube channel as well.
https://www.twitch.tv/drdevonprice
For those who don’t know (if you’re not an elite toxic gamer like me), Twitch is a free video streaming platform very similar to Youtube live or Instagram live. You do not need an account to watch the stream, however you will need one if you want to participate in the chat and offer comments.
The audience for my Twitch channel has grown into a vibrant and mostly non-hierarchical community of mad, queer disabled people who come together to work on craft projects, trade healthcare self-advocacy advice, attempt to decode neurotypical social norms, and just generally keep one another company in the digital realm — so if you like what I’m doing on Substack, you might really enjoy the people who occupy this space.
See y’all tonight!
Dang, substack didn't show me this post until today, was the live stream recorded? Or is there anywhere we can read abt what you're talking about? Sorry if you said that in the post and I missed it