'The men shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment; for all that do so are abomination to the Lord thy God'(Deutronomy, 22:5)
History has depicted transgendered individuals in high and esteemed positions in society. "Perhaps the most noteable of all berdache Native woman was Bercheampe, the Crow 'Woman Chief' the most famous war leader in the history of the Missouri nations. She married several wives and her bravery as a hunter and warrior was honored in songs"(Feinberg 209).
In the article 'A movement whose time has come' Feinberg explores the different perceptions that society has had on transgenders. From respectable and honored to shameful and almost intolerable. "This raises the question: Who decided what norm should be? Why are some people punished for their self expression?" (Feinberg 207). Its interesting that Feinberg poses that question because there is a lot that the majority of the society today does not know about the transgender community. In the article she argues that it must have taken a bloody campaign by the emerging ruling class to declare what had been natural to be its opposite. She states the nature of nature is continuation, yet the words that are used to describe their community are "words that cut and sear"(Feinberg 207). They did not choose those terms, they were labels that have backed them into a corner. She states "It is hard to fight an oppression without a name connoting pride, a language that honors us"(Feinberg 207).
As stated before little is known about these 'gender outlaws' Some assume that all masculine women are lesbians and all feminine men are gay. There is always a confusion in how they express their gender and their sexual preference.
I think her understanding of solidarity being found in knowing how and why oppression exists and who profits from it is a great way to look out for the solution to the destination of this movement and many others.
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