Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

6-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Program

Political Science

Advisor

Keena Lipsitz

Subject Categories

Gender and Sexuality | Political Science | Politics and Social Change

Keywords

transgender, cisgender, heteronormativity, gender norms, fair housing, civil rights law

Abstract

In the American housing market, gender norms regulate access to safe and stable dwellings. When looking for a home, transgender communities, plagued by multiple vulnerabilities and politicized by conservative politicians, endure vastly different experiences than their cisgender counterparts. Despite an ongoing housing crisis, civil rights laws have widened homeownership opportunities for cisgender women, but transgender women face multiple obstacles to owning a home. How have gender norms influenced the housing market, and how have socially embedded heterosexism and cisgenderism benefited cisgender women over transgender women? This manuscript explores the cultural norms regulating the creation and access to housing, the history of civil rights laws that have benefited cisgender women, and the limitations of fair housing policies to provide transgender communities with safe and stable homes.

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