Intersecting perspectives: a critical thematic analysis of the feminist and trans debate in Colombia from a human rights lens

Abstract

Abstract

The debate around the inclusion of trans people within feminism and society in general has been gaining public attention over recent years, especially in the Colombian context with two established yet conflicting positions: trans and radical feminist movements.

The discussion is characterized by its polarization, aggressivity, lack of understanding and challenges in establishing constructive dialogues, which has resulted in a fracture with personal and collective consequences for both the trans and women’s human rights agenda. This research critically examines the impact of the trans debate in Colombia through a human rights lens by deciphering the arguments, positions, and impacts of the debate through qualitative interviews with 14 activists belonging to the two key groups, three experts on the topic, and the critical analysis of secondary sources.

A thematic analysis of the interviews combined with examining the context of feminist theory, queer theory and transgender theory, demonstrates that there are both theoretical and practical grounds for the debate, which touches upon domains ranging from academia to public and societal matters including public and private spaces, legislation, and the health system. While the core of the convoluted debate consists of contrasting views on recognizing the gender identities of transgender people and the profound ideological differences between the feminist and transactivist movements, the research also demonstrates that there are convergence points between the two movements, such as efforts for strengthening abortion rights and the fight against violence.

The study concludes that fully resolving the trans debate is highly unlikely, however, it outlines strategies based on solidarity that can help the two movements to move forward in harmony in the future.