The weight of norms: transgenderism, inequalities and the invisibility of trans students in educational institutions in Pará

Abstract

This article analyzes the trajectories of transgenderities people in educational environments, focusing on the barriers faced by trans students at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA). The research, based on Judith Butler’s studies, is based on the assumption that the weight of educational and social norms, centered on cisgender and gender binarism, negatively impact self-discovery and recognition of gender identity, contributing to invisibility and inequalities at the university. The objective of the study is to investigate how these challenges influence the educational path of these people, with an emphasis on the experiences of transgender students at UFPA. The methodology adopted was qualitative, based on non-directive interviews, whose responses were analyzed through discourse analysis. The results reveal that educational institutions, by reinforcing binary gender norms, promote an environment hostile to gender diversity. It is concluded that the lack of institutional preparation contributes to the reproduction of educational inequalities in higher education.