Abigail Romano

Topic

Doll Tomorrow’s Parties: The Origin of Transsexual Glamour in Balls and Fashion and the Adoption of the Doll

Department of History

Date & location

• Wednesday, August 21, 2024
• 9:00 A.M.
• Clearihue Building, Room B017

Examining Committee

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Rachel Cleves, Department of History, University of Victoria (Supervisor)
• Dr. Georgia Sitara, Department of History, UVic (Member)

External Examiner

• Dr. Helga Thorson, Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies, UVic

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Catherine McGregor, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies, UVic

Abstract

Black and Latine femme queens and transsexual women have had a vital role in forming contemporary transsexual culture across race and class. One example of this vital role they have had can be observed through the concept of the “doll.” The doll is a type of transsexual woman interested in high fashion, nightlife, and glamour that emerged out of the predominantly Black and Latine ball culture. The doll, through its creation in ball culture and initial popularization by trans women involved in the fashion industry in the late 1980s, has become a concept of feminine empowerment among transsexual women. The continuing popularization of the doll has been mediated by the involvement of transsexual women involved in the twenty-first century fashion press. Specifically, the Spanish trans-focused niche fashion magazine of Candy and the New York style magazines of Paper and Interview have been significant in introducing the doll to the next generation of transsexuals interested in high fashion, nightlife, and glamour. The importance of the doll for transsexuals is demonstrative of the continuing influence that Black and Latine LGBT life has on the linguistics and culture of the wider LGBT community and the importance of ball culture to contemporary transsexual culture.