- Author
- Talia Bhatt
- Published
- 15 May 2025
- Kind
- Personal Substack essay, part of a series; argument only
- Original
- taliabhattwrites.substack.com/p/understanding-transmisogyny-part-e02
- Subject
- Society and technology
What it is
Talia Bhatt wrote the essay for the Trans/Rad/Fem Substack. It argues that sex is a social ranking built on who counts as penetrable. The essay uses crude slang and sexual terms on purpose. It applies the idea to queer communities, transphobia and sexual shame.
What it says
- The essay says sex is a social designation, not just an anatomical fact.
- Bhatt claims patriarchy sorts people into penetrators, who are persons, and the devalued penetrated.
- The essay says penetration also shapes gay and lesbian communities, through top and bottom roles.
- Bhatt argues that trans women are condemned for looking feminine while allegedly holding a phallus.
- The essay says lovers who knew a woman was trans sometimes use trans panic defenses.
- Bhatt says medical gatekeeping has demanded that trans women be hyperfeminine and hyperhetero.
- The essay ends by urging organizing and coalitions so the analysis becomes obsolete.
What evidence it gives
The essay offers argument, references to scholars and the author's own experience. It names Judith Butler, Esther Newton, David Valentine and Jack Halberstam. It gives no data, surveys or case counts.
Interests and limits
This is a personal polemic, and sarcasm makes literal claims hard to separate from jokes. No opposing view is presented. The page says earlier essays were collected into a book the author sells. The essay is also slated for a later book. It reflects one writer's theory, not settled findings.