Democracy and Transgender

Transgender has been largely overlooked by scholars concerned with gender and politics. This paper provides an exploration of key issues for democracy and transgender people. The paper uses empirical material from a large study of the views of public officials concerning transgender human rights, as well as a range of materials provided by trans* activist and support organisations. Beginning with representative democracy, the paper addresses topics such as role of trans* politicians, the impact of different electoral systems on the possibility of trans* representation, and the issue of gender quota systems, which currently rely on notions of a discrete male-female gender binary. The paper challenges political science approaches (and political processes) which re-inscribe gender binaries, asking questions about whether gender quota systems should address transgender, and if so, how people who identify as neither male nor female will be included. It also addresses broader issues concerning public opinion, the impact of the global recession on human rights and equalities agendas, and the rise of xenophobia in some European Member States, as these impact on the representation of trans* persons’ interests via the electoral system. The paper then moves on to scope out some of the key issues regarding participatory democracy and trans* people. It provides case studies of trans* activists’ engagement in participatory democratic mechanisms and processes, and the mechanisms that are provided by governments for trans people to engage in. These can include consultations, research, and joint service planning. The activist organisations that engage with these mechanisms vary in their agendas and strategies. They sit within a broader context, affected by other structures and mechanisms, such as those relating to religious groups and medical lobbies.