Trans Theory Conference

Over the past two decades, with the publication of The Transgender Studies Reader 1 and 2 (2006; 2013) and TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly, transgender studies has quickly become a prominent interdisciplinary field. While disciplines such as history, literature, and visual arts have made significant contributions to this emerging field, philosophy has yet to clarify its role within transgender studies. The aim of this conference will be to continue to explore what might be called "trans philosophy" – that is, philosophical work that is accountable to and illuminative of transgender experiences, histories, cultural production, and politics.

The Trans Theory  Conference builds on the first conference of the Trans Philosophy Project, “Trans Experience in Philosophy,” which occurred in May 2016 at the University of Oregon under the direction of Megan Burke, Fulden Ibrahimhakkioglu, and Amy Marvin. This was the first philosophy conference in the U.S. devoted to trans experiences and was peopled predominantly by trans presenters and attendees. The Trans Theory Conference 2018 will be hosted at American University and plans to include participation from local D.C. organizations. The conference will also highlight significant trans-related philosophical themes in U.S. politics such as recent anti-trans legislation and policy proposals, and the geopolitics of trans life in the U.S. South.