Femme/trans aesthetics and sexual politics: A conversation

[Shana A]

Femme/trans aesthetics and sexual politics: A conversation

Queer ->-bleeped-<- boi hero and social commentator Max Attitude talks with aesthetic theorist and artist-designer Nyx Mathews about body modifications, sexual politics and subversion.

10 October 2010

http://www.thescavenger.net/queer/femme-trans-aesthetics-and-sexual-politics-a-conversation-21432.html

Max: Having been brought up by feminist 'body love' assertions (like Stop Hating Your Body, Love Your Body) I find the prospect and reality of body modifications fairly troubling. I think because we are taught that 'dissatisfaction' is fixed by changing what you want, rather than what you are, you know, things like:

    * Shelia Jeffreys: Feminists like myself envisage a time beyond gender when there is no correct way to behave according to body shape.

Nyx: I reckon that's the wrong way around. What you 'are' is just what you're born with - it's a bit like...being told you should stick with the family you were born into, or the class - like the medieval idea that being, say, a peasant is something inherent, as though it's an intrinsic part of the way your head works – I think that's quite clearly rubbish.