Fashioning the Body: Versions of the Citizen, the Self, and the Subject

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This week we watched the movie Southern Comfort, which Ithought was a good film even though the production value was low budget.  What struck me particularly was howRobert and company where able to built such close community even it a part ofthe country that is not know for its tolerance.  I assumed that people in the trans community would chouse tomove to a city where the trans community is stronger.  But they didn’t move, they made there own community wherethey lived.  It’s amazing that theynot only lived in a rural aria but that they blended in so well.  I find it incredibly funny that Robertwas even asked to join the KKK. Despite how well they where doing in their own tight group, as soon asRobert needed medical care he was turned down because he was trans.  When Robert is diagnosed with ovariancancer he continually turned down because the doctors don’t want him sitting intheir waiting rooms, they are afraid that the other clients will feeluncomfortable.  Now this is what Idon’t get, if the doctors where just saying that they didn’t want it to lookodd to their other clients, why didn’t Robert just go with someone who dididentify as female?  Then Robertwould have a reason for being there; he would be there to support the femaleidentified person.  Then once theygot behind closed doors they could do the procedure.  I don’t know but it seems like that would have worked as away the doctor could have saved face and Robert could have receivedtreatment.  I don’t know I justcan’t believe that they couldn’t find treatment for him.  Though this is probably not the case,it felt like they could have done more. Even if they had just made the appointment and tolled the doctor oncethey got there that Robert was trans, and had brought the camera.  After being tolled that they where onfilm, and meeting Robert face to face, I bet not nearly as many would haveturned down treatment.  I justcan’t believe that a doctor would not treat some one, regardless of what they looked like.