No end to transphobia without uprooting ableism: exploring embedded forms of oppression

Blessed Are the Binary Breakers

In this first episode focusing on the interconnections between trans & disability communities & theologies, Avery draws from Mel Baggs' theory of embedded forms of oppression to describe how ableism is at the heart of many manifestations of transphobia, including pathologization and coerced treatments.

When transness is perceived as a disability, and disability is perceived as brokenness, the logical result is to try to "fix" or "cure" the trans individual - as evinced in the non-affirming "disability framework" through which some Christians view transness as a symptom of a Fallen world. How can trans persons and disabled persons join together to fight their similar battles, within faith communities and beyond?

Click here for an episode transcript.

Talking Points:

(0:00 - 5:13) Introducing the topic: why we must be anti-ableist in order to be anti-transphobic
(5:12 - 6:48) At least 39% of trans people have one or more disabilities
(6:49 - 7:46) Mel Baggs' theory: “There is ableism somewhere at the heart of your oppression, no matter what your oppression may be"
(7:47 - 13:23) Example of sexism embedded in homophobia, and ableism embedded in both - drawing from "clobber verse" 1 Cor 6:9
(13:24 - 17:29) Examples of ableism embedded in transphobia - eugenics, pathologization; Christian psychologist Mark Yarhouse's "disability framework" for understanding transness
(17:30 - 21:39) This embeddedness requires that we confront ableism in order to combat transphobia - how?
(21:40 - end) Wrapping up - 1 Cor 12's interdependent members of one body

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Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Bible Bash, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com.

This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. "Gold Beamer" and "Can't Find" by MotherHood are also used in this episode.