Reclaiming Selfhood: Transfeminine Identity in the Poetry of Justice Ameer and Golden
Golden; identity; Justice Ameer; poetry; transfeminine
Despite increased visibility of trans identities in contemporary US discourse, Black transfeminine individuals remain subjected to systemic violence, societal misrecognition, and cultural erasure, exacerbated by the fraught political climate under administrations that alternately advance and restrict transgender rights. This paper explores the transformative potential of Black transfeminine poetry as a site of self-representation and resistance against hegemonic frameworks of gender, race, and identity. Through a close reading of select poems by Justice Ameer and Golden, the analysis highlights how their works challenge cisnormative and patriarchal narratives, reclaim authority over gender representation and illuminate the fluidity of identity as a process of resilience and resistance. Drawing on themes of memory, trauma, community, and agency, this paper situates their poetry as both a critique of systemic marginalisation and a radical act of reimagination. By positioning their works within the broader socio-political context of the United States, the paper underscores how Black transfeminine poetics not only confront societal erasure but also construct spaces of affirmation and liberation. Through these explorations, the paper demonstrates the capacity of poetry to subvert oppressive narratives, assert the multiplicity of identity, and envision transformative possibilities for transfeminine existence. 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Comparative American Studies;Volume;22;Issue;3;pp.184-197
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https://doi.org/10.1080/14775700.2025.2545646 https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105017975054?origin=resultslist
Joy S., St Josephs College, Devagiri, Kerala, India, Department of English and Cultural Studies, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India; Jacob R., Department of English and Cultural Studies, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India