The Politicization of Trans Identity: An Analysis of Backlash, Scapegoating, and Dog-Whistling from Obergefell to Bostock

In the second decade of the twenty-first century, the US Supreme Court made two LGBTQ affirmative rulings: the 2015 Obergefell ruling in support of same-sex marriage and the 2020 Bostock decision ruling that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited by Title VII. Loren Cannon's book "The Politicalization of Trans Identity" critiques these opinions and argues that the politicization of trans identity is a backlash response to the Obergefell decision and increased LGBTQ equality. It offers unique contributions to understanding these ideas, including a creative application of Rene Girards theory of scapegoating, and argues that virtue signaling needs to be paired with dog whistling to have the political result the whistler intends.

Format: Hardback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

In the second decade of the twenty-first century, the United States Supreme Court made two groundbreaking rulings that significantly impacted the LGBTQ+ community. The 2015 Obergefell ruling supported same-sex marriage, while the 2020 Bostock decision declared that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited by Title VII. In his book, "The Politicalization of Trans Identity: An Analysis of Backlash, Scapegoating, and Dogwhistling from Obergefell to Bostock," Loren Cannon critically examines the court's opinions in both cases.

Cannon meticulously presents evidence that transgender identity has become politicized since the Obergefell decision, with far-reaching consequences across the nation. He explores the proposed legislation and violence that have emerged as a result of this politicization, arguing that it can be rightly understood as a backlash response to increased LGBTQ equality.

Cannon identifies two distinct aspects of the politicization of trans identity: scapegoating and dog whistling. He argues that scapegoating involves targeting transgender individuals as a means of expressing opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, while dog whistling involves using coded language or subtle references to imply support for transgender rights while simultaneously maintaining discriminatory attitudes.

This book offers unique contributions to the understanding of these ideas, particularly through the creative application of Rene Girard's theory of scapegoating. Cannon further argues that virtue signaling, which involves publicly expressing support for LGBTQ+ rights, needs to be paired with dog whistling to achieve the political result that the whistler intends.

Overall, "The Politicalization of Trans Identity" is a thought-provoking and important work that sheds light on the complex dynamics surrounding the politicization of trans identity and its implications for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.

Weight: 531g
Dimension: 228 x 160 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793623812