Tracing “Gender Critical” Ideology in Turkey: A Study of the Feminist Movement on Sex/Gender in Relation to Trans and Queer Inclusivity

Boyacı D. E., ÖĞÜN BOYACIOĞLU A.

WSQ, vol.51, no.3-4, pp.94-112, 2023 (Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 51 Issue: 3-4
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1353/wsq.2023.a910070
  • Journal Name: WSQ
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, Periodicals Index Online, American History and Life, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Film & Television Literature Index, Gender Studies Database, Historical Abstracts, Index Islamicus, Political Science Complete, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.94-112
  • Keywords: Cisnormativity, Feminism in Turkey, Queer theory, TERF, Transfeminism
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Drawing from queer theory and transfeminism, this article discusses whether queer- and trans-inclusive feminism is a possibility within the contemporary feminist movement in Turkey by analyzing its approach to the concept of sex/gender. In this context, in-depth interviews were conducted with activists who took part in the feminist movement and the LGBTQIA+ movement in Izmir, Turkey. These interviews reveal that the feminist movement bases its understanding on the sex and gender distinction and heteropatriarchy’s gender binarism, questions the identities of trans subjects, and establishes power domains in terms of being white and cishet. The present study has concluded that the feminist movement does not build sufficiently on transfeminism and queer theory, and reinforces a cisnormative sex/gender approach.