Miss Jay Alexander

This particular text moves beyond the binaries in its display of gender constructedness, transgender identities and intersectionality. The binaristic view of gender divides humans into two distinct categories, without the possibility of an intermediate or “other” category. Thus, in our society, one has two options when filling out the paperwork at the doctor’s office- male or female. Rachel Alsop’s article “Natural Women and Men” argues that “the notion of normal masculinity is tied, not to biological nature, but to a psychological characteristic of rationality” (Alsop, 13). Though the majority of individuals are able to fit neatly into these categories- the presence of individuals that do not implies that gender is not so neatly arranged and is actually fluid. Miss Jay is a prime example of the fluid nature of gender. Miss J. was born with the body of a male, but she leans more towards the behavior that is classically considered feminine. Miss J. obviously does not fit neatly into either the category male or female, and instead occupies the gray area in-between which is commonly referred to as the “third space”.
This text can be readily used as a non binaristic view of transgender categories. In the book Vested Interests Garber explains that “the ‘third space’ is that which questions binary thinking and introduces crises… the ‘third term’ is not a term. Much less it is a sex” (Garber, 11). According to this view the “third space” contradicts and surpasses the gender binary; male and female. As evidenced by the clip, Miss J. Alexander is an occupier of this third space. She was born with the physical parts of a male, but with the mentality of what society would consider female. Miss J wears clothing typically associated with females, including high heals and dresses. Miss J also uses makeup and uses qualifying and descriptive words that are associated with female speech patterns. Thus Miss J inhabits a space somewhere between male and female, showing once again that gender is fluid and not set in stone as society has always treated it.
Miss J is a homosexual African American which places her into two distinct minority groups which have their own separate problems and agendas that are often in conflict with each other. In hip hop culture, which is a predominantly black form of music, there is an exceptional amount of homophobia expressed. One particular song comes to mind “Boom, Bye Bye” in which hazing and other violence against homosexuals, including murder, is promoted and even encouraged. With this type of message emerging from African American’s it conflicts and hinders the progress of homosexuals in the black community. Also as a male, Miss J. comes under even more fire for her sexuality as society has proclaimed that males are supposed to be masculine. Miss J is a member in all of these groups which conflict with each other, which makes her experience completely different from white homosexuals, and straight African Americans.