On Lil Nas X, Gender Variance and Transphobic Legislation

Ari Jewell has looked at the American paradox of rampant transphobic legislation on the one hand existing side by side with a very popular gender nonconforming music video on the other.

Jewell writes over at Ms.:

“Despite the widespread and vehement transphobia this legislation reveals, polls show most Americans are increasingly supportive of transgender rights.

And the positive reception of celebrities like Elliot Page, Harry Styles and Hunter Schafer has demonstrated that transness and gender nonconformity are more than just accepted-they’re celebrated, especially by the young people who shape pop culture.

“Recently, the American public once again proved its celebration of gender nonconformity. Lil Nas X, the gay rapper who found fame in 2019 with his single “Old Town Road,” released a gender-bending music video on March 26 which has already garnered well over 100 million views.”

No paradox

I would argue that this is not a paradox at all.

We are at least facing two “Americas”: (1) An fearful conservative white tribe lashing out at anything that seems to threatens the members’ rather narrow ideas of proper living and (2) a colorful and vibrant America that embraces diversity and whose members do not — at least not to the same extent — fear those who are not exactly like themselves.

As always, we are facing spectrums rather than binaries, but American culture is becoming increasingly polarized, so, yeah, it makes some sense to talk about “a culture war.” And it was the extreme right that started it.

Feelings vs. facts

Jewell argues that the anti-trans legislators are methodically vilifying trans kids in “a cheap attempt at winning votes”.

This does not sound like a very good strategy to me, as torturing kids will not go down well outside their own MAGA tribe. Quite the opposite, actually. Those who are not afraid of diversity are more likely to listen to trans people and medical experts.

Jewell again:

In response to the passage of the Arkansas bill banning this health care, Dr. Robert Garofalo of Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital said, “This legislation perpetuates the very things we know are harmful to trans youth,” and went on to call these bills “anti-science” and “anti-public health.”

Expressing a similar sentiment, a 2019 statement from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry said legislation like these bills “directly oppose the evidence-based care recognized by professional societies across multiple disciplines” and are of “serious concern.”

Health experts maintain the health care these bills have banned or seek to ban is life-saving. Treatments like puberty blockers have been proven to seriously decrease the odds of trans youth considering suicide.

The Republican anti-trans rhetoric is completely removed from any semblance of facts, and they know that it is, because this is no longer about winning an argument. It is only about power. It is truly a tragedy for democracy world wide to see the Republican Party descent into what can only be called fascism.

It might be that the Republicans have given up of winning over the center, and believe that new laws that stops liberals from voting will give them the majorities they need. If the voters won’t support you, you have to give rid of the voters. Maybe, but that makes them look even more evil in the eyes of moderates as well as progressives. It will probably backfire.

Pop gender nonconformity

So what about Lil Nas X?

I suppose many do see him as a champion for a tolerant and open minded America (which he is). But I also suspect that many do not see him as a realistic representative of the trans community. They may see his gender variance as pure fiction or entertainment, irrelevant to the lives of “normals” (whatever that is.)

(I suspect there is more to Lil Nas X’ gender expression that this, but in this context impressions are all that matters.)

Jewell writes:

All this considered, it’s easier to see why the gender nonconformity of someone like Lil Nas X is tolerated by the American public in the same breath that trans children’s rights are being taken away. His adulthood, and his public image as a cis man, is certainly protecting him-as is, obviously, his celebrity status.

Despite his distance from the transphobia sweeping through state capitals right now, Lil Nas X still offers, perhaps, a shred of hope. Contrary to what supporters of this legislation would have us believe, “Montero” proves that gender nonconformity is alluring, exciting and worth celebration.

Indeed it is!

Read the Ms. article here: “Lil Nas X, Gender Nonconformity and the Fight Against Transphobic Legislation”

You can watch the Montero video here.

SE ALSO:
Transphobic teachers in Oregon want to change restroom signs to “anatomically male” and “anatomically female”
The American National Collegiate Athletic Association Supports Transgender Athletes (and that means more than you might think)
A short history of where all this anti-trans stuff came from
A Norwegian Drag King on Expressing Gender
It Wasn’t About Bathrooms, and It’s Not About Women’s Sports
Most young Brits will support a friend who comes out to them as transgender

Originally published at https://trans-express.lgbt.