The First Lady is a Man: Deconstructing Transphobia

While at the corner drug store purchasing some toilet paper and shaving cream my eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to the cover of the New York Magazine. The October 8th issue of the magazine features a cover story exploring the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton, through the angle of exploring what will happen with Bill if she moves into the white house.

The magazine’s cover features a digitally altered picture of the former president in a red dress, peal necklace and earrings complete with what could only be considered a properly styled bob fitting of a first lady. The article’s title “Bill Clinton, First Lady” says it all. The magazine’s cover uses unconsentual feminization of Bill in order to make a social and political point about the place of men and women in contemporary American society. Being the husband of a woman who becomes president according to the magazine would suddenly thrust Bill into a feminine role, and the article opens with a nonsense look at what Bill would be called if Hillary were elected.

This portrayal is highly inappropriate, and offensive in that it is making a mockery of the trans community. I find the timing of this cover art particularly interesting given the current state of ENDA and the rampant transphobia which has circulated both within the government and mainstream press surrounding the importance of including gender identity into this historic bill. Placing Bill in a dress in an attempt to achieve laughs, serves no purpose other than to simultaneously undermine the credibility of both Hillary’s campaign and add fuel to the fire about what many consider to be “absurdity” of the transgender community, at a time when the already vulnerable population is on the frontlines of a political battle for necessary legal protections.

Please Note: I am not in any way attempting to argue that Hillary is the right person for the job, in the democratic debate co-sponsored by the HRC and LOGO she vocalized her opposition to gay marriage (although she does support civil unions).

the article can be viewed online here:
http://nymag.com/news/politics/38362/