The (trans)formation of identity: The evolution of categories related to gender diversity in the case of trans-activism in Barcelona (1978–2010)

Abstract

Since the emergence of trans-activism in Barcelona (pioneer in the Spanish context) in 1970, identity categories to refer to people who do not identify with the socially-assigned gender identity have experienced a major transformation. In this article, we analyse the evolution of identity categories related to gender diversity from 1978 to 2010 in order to recover the history of trans-activism and explore its specificities with regard to the hegemonic logic in other western countries. In the period analysed, five associations were identified and studied, revealing a trend that predominantly conceives identity categories in a fluid manner, contrary to the main trans-activism in western countries, which reinforced the medical category ‘transsexual’ in opposition to those of ‘homosexual’ and ‘transvestite’. Moreover, in this period, a profound change can be observed in the political subject (from trans-women working in sex work to middle-class trans-boys), as well as a transformation of alliances: from the rejection of trans-associations by gay and lesbian associations to the subsequent coalition and progressive rapprochement towards feminism.