Do Workplace Gender Transitions Make Gender Trouble

Bibliographic Data

ID5776506
AuthorsKristen Schilt (Rice University, corresponding author), Catherine Connell (Rice University)
Year2007
Volume14
Issue6
Pages596-618
Publication date2007-10-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGender Work and Organization (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0968-6673 • E-ISSN: 1468-0432
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1468-0432.2007.00373.x
OpenAlexW2168863328
LanguageEN
Citations received113
References cited28

This article examines what happens when an employee makes the transition from one recognized gender category to another and remains in the same job. Drawing on in-depth interviews with transmen and transwomen in Texas and California, we illustrate how a new social gender identity is interactionally achieved in these open workplace transitions. While transgender people often are represented as purposefully adopting hyper-feminine or masculine gender identities post-transition, we find that our respondents strive to craft alternative femininities and masculinities. However, regardless of their personal gender ideologies, their men and women co-workers often enlist their transitioning colleague into gender rituals designed to repatriate them into a rigid gender binary. This enlistment limits the political possibilities of making gender trouble in the workplace, as transgender people have little leeway for resistance if they wish to maintain job security and friendly workplace relationships

Craft · Sexual identity · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Labor Movements and Unions

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