Questioning Transphobia: Trans sex ual.

[Natasha]

Questioning Transphobia: Trans sex ual.

http://questioningtransphobia.wordpress.com/2008/10/25/trans-sex-ual/
10/25/2008

Cissexism is apparent in many criticisms of Boys Don't Cry. In [the article under discussion in the lecture], Judith Halberstam argues that a space for trans subjectivity is at one point preserved by Lana's refusal to look at Brandon's genitals when he is stripped by John and Tom. However, Halberstam and other critics also claim that the film portrays Brandon and Lana's last sex scene as a lesbian sex scene, betraying Brandon's trans/male identity and turning Brandon into a woman/female. I don't think that the film is that great in this regard – I particularly don't think that the last sex scene is really appropriate after such a graphic depiction of rape. However, I'm also really uncomfortable when people describe it as a lesbian sex scene for the most part because Brandon takes off his shirt and doesn't use a prosthetic penis*.