Bound by Norms and Out of Bounds: Experiences of PAGFB (Persons Assigned Gender Female at Birth) Within the Formal Education System: Lesbians and Bisexuals in Action (LABIA)

Abstract

This article is based on a study undertaken by LABIA (Lesbians and Bisexuals in Action), a queer feminist collective in Mumbai, titled ‘Breaking the binary: Understanding the concerns and realities of queer persons assigned gender female at birth across a spectrum of lived gender identities’. We look at how the queer and gender-transgressive existence of our respondents impacts their access to education, and subsequently their livelihood opportunities. Education, specifically formal education (and educational institutions), has an important role in violently producing a gender-normative world. However, education is also a passport to an independent economic existence. In this article, we look at these varied experiences as well as how our feminisms need to take these concerns into account as we grapple with the issue of engendering a new kind of education. We draw upon the stories of queer PAGFB (persons assigned gender female at birth) within the formal education system to posit critical interventions in education, ranging from changing the structures in both gender-segregated and co-educational institutions to building awareness and making changes in syllabi.

Keywords

Queer gender-transgressive feminism persons assigned gender female at birth marginalisation gender non-conforming

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