Evan Vipond
York University, Gender, Feminist, and Women's Studies, Graduate Student
- Women and Gender Studies, Sexuality Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Cultural Studies, Queer Studies, Gender Studies, and 31 moreLGBT Studies, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Studies, Neoliberalism, Queer Theory, Cultural Theory, Critical Theory, Critical Race Theory, Theories of Gender and Transgender, Trans Rights, Transsexuality and Transgender, Queer, Lgbtq, Gender and Sexuality, Sexuality, Gender, Sex and Gender, Transgender, LGBT Issues, Human Rights, Transgender Studies, Transgender Health, Genders and Sexualities, Critical Race Studies, Queer Theory (Literature), Political Economy, Political Theory, Comparative Politics, Politics, Critical Disability Studies, Political Philosophy, and Public Policyedit
- Evan Vipond is a Ph.D. candidate in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies at York University in Toronto, Canada. They ... moreEvan Vipond is a Ph.D. candidate in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies at York University in Toronto, Canada. They are a recipient of the SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Doctoral Scholarship (2016-2019). Evan’s research interests include critical trans politics, trans rights and the law, feminist theory, political economy, critical race theory, cultural theory, and queer theory. Evan’s work has been published in a/b: Auto/Biography Studies (2019), Canadian Review of Social Policy (2017), Gender and Education (2017), Queer Cats Journal of LGBT Studies (2016), The Western Journal of Legal Studies (2015), and Theory in Action (2015).edit
This article offers a metatheoretical exploration of how we think through, understand, and categorize trans life writing. It explores Judith Butler’s theory of cultural intelligibility, the use of the waves metaphor, the conflation of... more
This article offers a metatheoretical exploration of how we think through, understand, and categorize trans life writing. It explores Judith Butler’s theory of cultural intelligibility, the use of the waves metaphor, the conflation of trans life writing with coming-of-age and coming-out stories, and counternarratives of cultural unintelligibility.
Research Interests: Cultural Studies, Comparative Literature, Gender Studies, Feminist Theory, Transgender Studies, and 15 moreCultural Theory, Gender and Sexuality, LGBT Issues, Autobiography, Transsexuality, Theories of Gender and Transgender, Judith Butler, Memoir and Autobiography, Transgender, Feminist Literary Theory and Gender Studies, Gender Identity, Women and Gender Studies, Transsexuality and Transgender, Autobiography and life writing studies, and Transgender Theory
This article analyzes how market logic is deployed to secure trans rights under neoliberalism in Canada and the U.S. I argue that by embodying the ‘ideal’ neoliberal subject, productive trans persons are granted access to state... more
This article analyzes how market logic is deployed to secure trans rights under neoliberalism in Canada and the U.S. I argue that by embodying the ‘ideal’ neoliberal subject, productive trans persons are granted access to state institutions and social services, including transition-related medical care. This is achieved through the accumulation of what Foucault (2008) calls “human capital” and appealing to market logic (cost-benefit analysis). While doing so may afford certain trans people – namely white, affluent, and able-bodied – increased access to services and material success, it ultimately reinforces neoliberal logic, further obscuring and exacerbating social and economic inequalities. I argue that trans persons who achieve material success are upheld as ‘proof’ that neoliberalism functions as a meritocracy, shifting the burden of social and economic responsibility away from the state and onto the individual.
Research Interests: Political Economy, Political Theory, Human Rights, Transgender Studies, Governmentality, and 9 morePolitical Science, Neoliberalism, Human Capital, Transgender, Transgender rights, Transgender Oppression, Governmentality Studies, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Studies, and Neoliberalism & Governmentality
Schools are often sites of surveillance for students as behaviours are governed and regulated by gendered norms and sexed expectations. For transgender and gender non-conforming students, school environments can produce anxiety as... more
Schools are often sites of surveillance for students as behaviours are governed and regulated by gendered norms and sexed expectations. For transgender and gender non-conforming students, school environments can produce anxiety as students are categorized into gender binaries. This article draws from Canadian policy in public schools and higher education, interview data, as well as transgender teen narratives, to analyze gender policing in schools through gender binary washrooms. Building upon prior research and writing on gender binary washrooms.
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This paper offers a critical analysis of Adam, a female-to-male transgender character on the Canadian television show Degrassi. I critique the hegemonic discourse of being ‘born in the wrong body,’ a narrative that is represented as the... more
This paper offers a critical analysis of Adam, a female-to-male transgender character on the Canadian television show Degrassi. I critique the hegemonic discourse of being ‘born in the wrong body,’ a narrative that is represented as the trans experience. Through a close reading of Adam, I provide a critical analysis of the shortcomings and restrictions of transnormativity. I argue Adam is normalized as the ‘right’ kind of trans person through medical discourses of transition and his adherence to social norms of masculinity, heterosexuality, Christian morality, class, whiteness and ability. While this narrative affords Adam certain privileges and a sense of belonging within the plot of Degrassi, as a representation, it contributes to the further disenfranchisement of trans persons of colour, working-class trans persons, trans persons with disabilities, and gender-nonconforming persons.
Research Interests: Critical Theory, Cultural Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, Sex and Gender, Television Studies, and 23 moreTransgender Studies, Masculinity Studies, Cultural Theory, Sexuality, Gender and Sexuality, LGBT Issues, Masculinity, Critical Discourse Analysis, Theories of Gender and Transgender, Masculinities, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Sexuality And Culture, Transgender, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth, Constructions of masculinity, Sexuality Studies, Masculinity and Gender Studies, Transsexuality and Transgender, Hegemonic Masculinity, Bisexual and Transgender Youth, Sara Ahmed, Transmasculinity, and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Studies
This paper investigates how deploying neoliberal discourses of equal rights, anti-discrimination laws, and hate crime legislation limits the advancement of equality and protection for trans persons under the law. The push for the legal... more
This paper investigates how deploying neoliberal discourses of equal rights, anti-discrimination laws, and hate crime legislation limits the advancement of equality and protection for trans persons under the law. The push for the legal recognition of trans persons, through the addition of "gender identity" and "gender expression" to
anti-discrimination and hate crime laws relies on neoliberal discourses of biological determinism and medicalization. This approach ultimately pathologizes trans persons and precludes their self-determination. As the trans community continues to gain rights in Canada and the United States, a backlash of anti-trans “bathroom bills” threaten to restrict trans persons from sex-segregated spaces that align with their gender identity. Moreover, hate crime legislation focuses on individual perpetrators, reinforcing systemic forms of transphobia and state-sanctioned violence against trans persons. In order to guarantee that trans persons have equal access to state services and are protected from discrimination and violence, systems of power must be dismantled and reimagined.
This article is available in Western Journal of Legal Studies: http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/uwojls/vol6/iss1/3
anti-discrimination and hate crime laws relies on neoliberal discourses of biological determinism and medicalization. This approach ultimately pathologizes trans persons and precludes their self-determination. As the trans community continues to gain rights in Canada and the United States, a backlash of anti-trans “bathroom bills” threaten to restrict trans persons from sex-segregated spaces that align with their gender identity. Moreover, hate crime legislation focuses on individual perpetrators, reinforcing systemic forms of transphobia and state-sanctioned violence against trans persons. In order to guarantee that trans persons have equal access to state services and are protected from discrimination and violence, systems of power must be dismantled and reimagined.
This article is available in Western Journal of Legal Studies: http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/uwojls/vol6/iss1/3
Research Interests: Law, Comparative Law, Gender Studies, Comparative Politics, Political Economy, and 29 moreSex and Gender, Human Rights Law, Transgender Studies, Political Science, Gender and Sexuality, Gender, Gender Equality, Socio-legal studies, Hate Crimes, Critical Discourse Analysis, Transsexuality, Theories of Gender and Transgender, Neoliberalism, Transgender Health, Transsexual Medicine, Transgender, Public Law, Hate Crime Law, Critical Legal Studies, Transsexuality and Transgender, Anti-discrimination law, Medicalization, Trans Rights, Equal rights and anti-discrimination, Transgender rights, Critcal Race Theory, Hate Crime Legislation, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Studies, and Human Rights of Transgender Community
This paper investigates the medical and legal procedures and policies of sex reassignment in Canada and the United States. Due to restrictive medical discourses of transsexuality, gender-conforming trans persons are able to access... more
This paper investigates the medical and legal procedures and policies of sex reassignment in Canada and the United States. Due to restrictive medical discourses of transsexuality, gender-conforming trans persons are able to access treatment, such as hormone therapy and gender-confirming surgeries, while nonnormative trans persons are often denied services. Transnormative narratives of transition often reinforce medical discourses of what it means to be trans and how to be trans. These narratives simultaneously legitimize transsexuality for those who can conform to the dominant narrative while delegitimizing gender variance and nonconforming trans persons.
Available at: http://www.transformativestudies.org/publications/theory-in-action-the-journal-of-tsi/past-issues/volume-8-number-2-april-30-2015/
Available at: http://www.transformativestudies.org/publications/theory-in-action-the-journal-of-tsi/past-issues/volume-8-number-2-april-30-2015/
Research Interests: Gender Studies, Queer Studies, Sex and Gender, Feminist Theory, Critical Race Studies, and 27 moreHuman Rights, Transgender Studies, Queer Theory, Political Science, Sexuality, Gender and Sexuality, History of Sexuality, LGBT Issues, Gender, Socio-legal studies, Theories of Gender and Transgender, Neoliberalism, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Sexual Identity, Transgender Health, Transgender, Sexuality Studies, Women and Gender Studies, Transsexuality and Transgender, LGBT Studies, Queer, LGBT, Medicalization, LGBTQ studies, Lgbtq, Critcal Race Theory, and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Studies
This papers provides a critical analysis of the character Adam Torres (2010-2013), a female-to-male transgender teenager on the Canadian television show Degrassi. Adam’s narrative arc offers new entry points for theorizing transmasculine... more
This papers provides a critical analysis of the character Adam Torres (2010-2013), a female-to-male transgender teenager on the Canadian television show Degrassi. Adam’s narrative arc offers new entry points for theorizing transmasculine narratives of transition through employing novel and progressive storylines alongside tired and predictable tropes. While Adam is afforded a sense of belonging within the plot of Degrassi, his narrative demonstrates the pressures for trans people to conform to the imperatives of transnormativity, foreclosing in the process the subversion of (cis)gender norms and the proliferation of trans identities.
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Original Plumbing (OP) is a trans male quarterly zine cocreated and coedited by Amos Mac and Rocco Kayiatos. OP holds historical and cultural importance as a t4t publication made for trans men by trans men and serves as an entry point for... more
Original Plumbing (OP) is a trans male quarterly zine cocreated and coedited by Amos Mac and Rocco Kayiatos. OP holds historical and cultural importance as a t4t publication made for trans men by trans men and serves as an entry point for theorizing trans masculine embodiments and subjectivities. Inspired by the format of OP, this piece brings together personal narrative, critical analysis, cover images, and an interview with OP's cocreator and coeditor, Amos Mac.
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In this roundtable discussion, early-career researchers working in the field of law, gender, and sexuality discuss international and trans-national developments to legal gender. ‘The Future of Legal Gender’ research project focused on the... more
In this roundtable discussion, early-career researchers working in the field of law, gender, and sexuality discuss international and trans-national developments to legal gender. ‘The Future of Legal Gender’ research project focused on the legislative framework of England and Wales to develop a prototype for decertification. The domestic legislation, however, was situated within a wider international context throughout the project. This roundtable discussion, therefore, provided an opportunity for reflection on the transnational issues raised by decertification, with a particular focus on developments arising in the jurisdiction(s) studied by the early career researchers. The roundtable began with a brief outline of these recent developments before moving to an open discussion on key themes including the value of reform on wider society, changes on-the-ground by non-state actors, and alternative processes for tackling gender inequalities without certifying legal gender. The online co...
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Research Interests: Gender Studies, Queer Studies, Feminist Theory, Critical Race Studies, Human Rights, and 15 morePolitical Science, Gender and Sexuality, History of Sexuality, LGBT Issues, Gender, Neoliberalism, Gender and Sexuality Studies, LGBT Studies, Queer, LGBT, Medicalization, LGBTQ studies, Lgbtq, Critcal Race Theory, and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Studies
Research Interests: Sociology, Cultural Studies, Comparative Literature, Gender Studies, Feminist Theory, and 15 moreTransgender Studies, Cultural Theory, Gender and Sexuality, LGBT Issues, Autobiography, Theories of Gender and Transgender, Judith Butler, Memoir and Autobiography, Transgender, Feminist Literary Theory and Gender Studies, Gender Identity, Literary studies, Autobiography and life writing studies, Transgender Theory, and Routledge
Research Interests:
This paper offers a critical analysis of Adam, a female-to-male transgender character on the Canadian television show Degrassi. I critique the hegemonic discourse of being ‘born in the wrong body,’ a narrative that is represented as the... more
This paper offers a critical analysis of Adam, a female-to-male transgender character on the Canadian television show Degrassi. I critique the hegemonic discourse of being ‘born in the wrong body,’ a narrative that is represented as the trans experience. Through a close reading of Adam, I provide a critical analysis of the shortcomings and restrictions of transnormativity. I argue Adam is normalized as the ‘right’ kind of trans person through medical discourses of transition and his adherence to social norms of masculinity, heterosexuality, Christian morality, class, whiteness and ability. While this narrative affords Adam certain privileges and a sense of belonging within the plot of Degrassi, as a representation, it contributes to the further disenfranchisement of trans persons of colour, working-class trans persons, trans persons with disabilities, and gender-nonconforming persons.
Research Interests: Critical Theory, Cultural Studies, Media and Cultural Studies, Sex and Gender, Art, and 15 moreMasculinity Studies, Cultural Theory, Sexuality, Gender and Sexuality, LGBT Issues, Masculinity, Critical Discourse Analysis, Masculinities, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Constructions of masculinity, Masculinity and Gender Studies, Hegemonic Masculinity, Bisexual and Transgender Youth, Sara Ahmed, and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Studies
This article analyzes how market logic is deployed to secure trans rights under neoliberalism in Canada and the U.S. I argue that by embodying the ‘ideal’ neoliberal subject, productive trans persons are granted access to state... more
This article analyzes how market logic is deployed to secure trans rights under neoliberalism in Canada and the U.S. I argue that by embodying the ‘ideal’ neoliberal subject, productive trans persons are granted access to state institutions and social services, including transition-related medical care. This is achieved through the accumulation of what Foucault (2008) calls “human capital” and appealing to market logic (cost-benefit analysis). While doing so may afford certain trans people – namely white, affluent, and able-bodied – increased access to services and material success, it ultimately reinforces neoliberal logic, further obscuring and exacerbating social and economic inequalities. I argue that trans persons who achieve material success are upheld as ‘proof’ that neoliberalism functions as a meritocracy, shifting the burden of social and economic responsibility away from the state and onto the individual. Resume Cet article fait l’analyse critique de la defense des droits...
Research Interests: Political Economy, Political Theory, Human Rights, Transgender Studies, Governmentality, and 9 morePolitical Science, Neoliberalism, Human Capital, Transgender, Transgender rights, Transgender Oppression, Governmentality Studies, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Studies, and Neoliberalism & Governmentality
This paper investigates how employing neoliberal discourses of equal rights, anti-discrimination laws, and hate crime legislation limits the advancement of equality and protection for trans persons under the law. The push for the legal... more
This paper investigates how employing neoliberal discourses of equal rights, anti-discrimination laws, and hate crime legislation limits the advancement of equality and protection for trans persons under the law. The push for the legal recognition of trans persons, through the addition of "gender identity" and "gender expression" to anti-discrimination and hate crime laws relies on neoliberal discourses of biological determinism and medicalization. This approach ultimately pathologizes trans persons and precludes their self-determination. As the trans community continues to gain rights in Canada and the United States, a backlash of anti-trans “bathroom bills” threaten to restrict trans persons from sex-segregated spaces that align with their gender identity. Moreover, hate crime legislation focuses on individual perpetrators, reinforcing systemic forms of transphobia and state-sanctioned violence against trans persons. In order to guarantee that trans persons hav...
Research Interests: Law, Comparative Law, Gender Studies, Comparative Politics, Political Economy, and 15 moreHuman Rights Law, Political Science, Gender and Sexuality, Gender, Gender Equality, Hate Crimes, Critical Discourse Analysis, Neoliberalism, Hate Crime Law, Critical Legal Studies, Medicalization, Critcal Race Theory, Hate Crime Legislation, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Studies, and Human Rights of Transgender Community
The purpose of this project is to better understand the needs of trans and nonbinary people in Toronto based on the social determinants of health in order to improve their everyday lives. Specifically, the needs assessment focused on... more
The purpose of this project is to better understand the needs of trans and nonbinary people in Toronto based on the social determinants of health in order to improve their everyday lives. Specifically, the needs assessment focused on employment, financial security, education, housing, health and wellness, and social inclusion. The research for this project included a comprehensive online survey that received 181 responses and nine in-person focus groups comprising of a total of 31 participants.