Beating Around the Butch: a conversation on uncertain transmasculinities

* Panel discussion featuring Dr Sita Balani, Ray Filar, Tanaka Fuego, D Mortimer and Francis Whorrall-Campbell. Starting with the ambivalent figure of the ‘butch, the group shares seminal butch texts, and discusses the spectres of trans ambivalence and regret in relation to their practices and research. *

In recent years, demands to prove and know our genders — to present evidence of ‘really being’ — have been levied increasingly at trans people. What would it mean to reject these pressures? 

Using the opening letter of Leslie Feinberg’s 1993 novel Stone Butch Blues as a springboard, this panel examines the intersections between class, race and ability in relation to the butch experience and the border wars of trans masculinity and butchness. Where is the vanishing point of masculinity? How do questions of uncertainty, doubt, ambivalence and regret get swallowed up in the noise of trans-exclusionary movements? And in what ways might these exclusions be said to construct the transsexual in the popular imagination as a bogeyman?

We are keen for this project to examine whether the medical model is failing a trans and gender non-conforming population forced into performing certainty to access healthcare. As artists, writers and poets working in the humanities we would like to question exactly how human the notion of certainty really is when it comes to gender, and in doing so oxidise a future methodology of uncertain genders.

A Note on Venue Capacity

Capacity for this event is highly limited. As the event is likely to be popular we ask that you only book a place if you definitely plan to attend. If you end up not being able to make it, please cancel to free up space for someone else.

Image Credit:

Tessa Boffin, detail, featured in the publication 'A Lover's Distance' (1987)

Image Description: black and white photograph by the artist Tessa Boffin of a young person draped in white fabric with homemade angel wings They are white. They have cropped hair and they are wearing a white blindfold. They seem to be holding a bow in the manner of cupid.

Access information for Goldsmiths CCA is available here

Residents at Goldsmiths CCA

Organised by D Mortimer and Beth Bramich, this event takes place as part of the Feminist Duration Reading Group’s 2023-2024 residency at Goldsmiths CCA.

www.feministduration.com