Beautiful Boxer and Positionality for Transnational Perspectives on Gender and Sexualities

1. Robertson and BB
• Reflexivity
• Background of film
• Examine select scenes

2. Beautiful Boxer-
real name: Asanee Suwan
“Nong Toom”

3. Underlying assumptions?
Tropes: 2 selves
Childhood-a. I was there
b. I was confused at the onset (like a child)
c. invert power relationship
ROBERTSON-REFLEXIVITY—
DEFINITION? 785

4. Definition 790
POSITIONALITY

5. Robertson s solution?
Revealing mirrors and their effects, both by
Ethnographer and others (you, me, not to
Mention those being studied)
Must be done in order to reflect
On how reflexivity and positionality
Shapes project at hand!

6. Do it yourself
Find the reflexive moment in any
Ethnographic study we ve read in your
Reader!

7. Characters
• Ma, Pa, Tam
• Pi Bua, Pi Chart, Pi Moo
• Nat

8. National Geographic Interview

9. interviewnong toom

10. Cultural Context
• Until the mid-19th century, kathoeys once held an
honorable status in Thailand, as they were accepted
in society with the religious belief that they had
shamanic abilities.
• However, contemporary Thai society currently does
not honor kathoeys like before, as there is now some
discrimination against them.
– Even after sex re-assignment surgery, they remain legally
male on birth certificates, passports, and identification
cards. They also cannot marry a male.
Allyn, 1991

11. Cultural Context (cont.)
• Due to some
discrimination, some
kathoeys are not able to
easily find jobs. Few find
work in music, fashion,
and the media. Some
find work through
performances, such as
being in costume and
dance cabarets for
tourists.
Taywaditep, Coleman, & Dumronggittigule, 1997

12. Cultural Context (cont.)
• Other kathoeys have few other choices than sex work and
hair dressing in order to financially support themselves (and
often times, their families due to collectivistic beliefs).
• Thailand has much less social stigma about sex workers as
other societies do (e.g., Western societies).
Taywaditep, Coleman, & Dumronggittigule, 1997

13. Identity in Thai Society
• Most kathoeys outwardly present themselves
as female (make up, dresses, long hair, voice,
gestures, personality), and tend to pursue
female-related jobs. In addition, they possess a
vocabulary that is culturally used by Thai
females.
• Most kathoeys take hormones, often starting as
early as 10-years-old. Many of them who can
pay for cosmetic surgery do so, and a smaller
number tend to have sex re-assignment
surgery. Although, a large number of kathoeys
prefer to retain their genitalia along with their
breast surgery.
Winter & Udomsak, 2002

14. Identity in Thai Society (cont.)
• There are not many formal restrictions placed upon kathoeys
freely expressing themselves. Most Thais are generally friendly
toward kathoeys, as Thai culture involves being friendly
toward any person.
• Some complications that occur are due to kathoeys still
having their gender as “male” on legal documents. Due to
this, there may be problems with traveling (passports saying
“male” when kathoeys identify and appear as female), and at
many Thai schools they are required to dress like males and
respond to their male name.
Taywaditep, Coleman, & Dumronggittigule, 1997; Matzner, 2001

15. Do it yourself
Find the reflexive moment in any
Ethnographic study we ve read in your
Reader!

16. Telegraph Avenue: A Novel Michael Chabon