It is arguable that intersectionality is the key to success for modern social movements and campaigns. Striving for inclusion, acceptance, and the recognition of general human rights as self-evident truths may be the foundation upon which a powerful structure for social change may be built. Historically, it has been observed that the concept of intersectionality has been discounted in the creation and continuation of certain social movements. For example, until more recent times, the LGBTQIA+ community has failed to recognize the significance of intersectionality among its population. To illustrate this point, we need only consider the plights of a black, transgender woman who immigrates from Senegal–contrast this illustration to that of white, gay man who was born and raised in America. While understanding that both individuals have unique, separate challenges that they must face, the Senegalese-American transgender women occupies a variety of overlapping social categories that generate greater discrimination and disadvantage.
In consideration of this point – specifically as it relates to the #MeToo movement – it is regrettable to report that transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals are largely forgotten by their cis-gendered counterparts. Arguably, trans and gender-nonbinary are the most vulnerable population; yet, the agency of their voice is overshadowed by cis-gender women. Now, this is not said in an effort to discount the legitimacy or credence of cis-gendered women who has been victims of such horror; rather, to submit that another population of individuals stands at perhaps an even greater risk. Yet, #MeToo, established upon the premises of inclusion and agency for all victims of sexual assault and harassment, seemingly fails at being truly inclusive. How #MeToo Stands to Marginalize Trans and Gender-Nonconforming People discusses ways in which the movement disappoints in service for trans and gender-nonconforming people.
The epitome of this movement is centered around experiences of sexual assault and harassment by cis-gendered women in the workplace. A classical rendering of essentialism would submit that each gender is defined by biological constructs and, therefore, women and men possess different social needs. Yet, for a trans or gender-nonconforming individual, those biological boundaries do not speak to their respective identity. In a sense, they occupy the gray space in what is otherwise portrayed as a black and white, male and female epic. Their plights remain largely unconsidered, and their voice remains to possess little agency in the #MeToo movement. With regret, until intersectionality is truly embraced by the movement, their voice will remain muted. As this movement continues to gain momentum both nationally and internationally, it must consider those populations that can be affected by the same issues that it seeks to acknowledge and combat, yet do not fall within the concreted categories which it has established.