Abstract:
This thesis will examine the diversity and interdependence within contemporary transgender communities in Aotearoa/New Zealand. In the last decade awareness of trans people has increased, leading to a series of frenzied political battles in the United States, focusing on the inclusion of trans people in social spaces. Conversely, in Aotearoa/New Zealand the response to transgender issues has been long and less fraught. To date, however, there has been virtually no research into the lived experiences of trans people and the communities they form. With almost no research into the divisions existing among trans people, the growth of ‘non-normative’ gender identities remains an unexplored area of research. As a consequence my research addresses the position that there is no singular homogenous community, but rather there are many communities that are organized initially around ethnicity. Furthermore, my research discusses the gap in the existing literature, using in-depth interviews to explore how trans people in Aotearoa/New Zealand understand the concept of community in their perception of being trans. This research is innovative due to its foci on; a) the purpose community plays in the lives of trans people in Aotearoa/New Zealand; b) the power of social networks in developing a sense of community; c) the impact of passing as cisgender and gender policing among trans people in accessing their communities; d) the way trans people participate in the larger lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rainbow umbrella. Thus, the thesis makes a major contribution to international literature by integrating hitherto ignored role of community/ies in the lives of trans people in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
