Spaces of possibility: transmasculine representation in contemporary media

Abstract

This thesis is a qualitative multi-case study of three contemporary media spaces: Reddit’s r/ftm subreddit, YouTube’s Jammidodger channel and Dimensions 20: The Unsleeping City (Mulligan, 2019) as sites of public pedagogy. I examined transmasculine representation in these spaces through the lens of critical social justice, specifically with an emphasis on queer and intersectional feminist theories. Two research questions guided this study: 1. How or to what extent do the case studies from YouTube, Reddit and Dimension 20 challenge and/or reinforce the hegemonic forces of cisnormativity? 2. How or to what extent do the YouTube, Reddit and Dimension 20 case studies function as a liberatory space for transmasculine individuals? Data was collected for three weeks in September 2024. Content and thematic analysis revealed that these cases could, in fact, function as liberatory space sites for transmasculine individuals and effectively challenge cisnormativity. These spaces had many positive aspects, such as the ability to provide representation, community, information, and advice and bring levity to complex matters. However, these spaces are imperfect and can be homogeneous, missing intersectional representation and overemphasizing binary notions of gender. Nevertheless, the findings showed that these contemporary media spaces were significant sites for identity formation, learning and support for queer folks and newly transitioning or questioning transmasculine individuals. In addition, these spaces became a haven and an invaluable resource for the loved ones of these individuals.