„Travesti “ tapatybė: lytiškumo, seksualumo daugiaprasmiškumas ir kūno transformacijos
“Travesti” Identity: Polysemy of Gender and Sexuality, Body Transformations

Summary/Abstract: This article surveys and analyses the travesti identity – a unique and polysemic phenomenon of Latin America. Although the travesti emphasize that they are homosexuals, many consider them to be transgender. Nevertheless, due to the polysemy characteristic to travesti we cannot categorize them autonomously. The polysemy of travesti identities is formed by deconstructive practises, as these subjects represent their identity without fully destroying masculinity and without fully embracing femininity. In order to embody the imaginary of a perfect woman and to obtain a more feminine body shape the travesti actively transform their bodies using practises usually performed by women but they maintain their male genitals to please themselves and to please others. Penises enable the travesti to be either active or passive as they please. The travesti try to destroy binary categories and represent the fact that gender and sexuality is a fluid social construct. In an identity discourse, the travesti are neither transsexuals, nor drag queens. They are liminal figures that disrupt dichotomies and shape a new understanding of femininity and masculinity. These subjects activate a homoerotic view and they only want to resemble women but not to become them. Males are of high importance to travesti, as they signify and are overwhelmed by desire and power.

• Details
• Contents