Thinking Cis

"zamantakis provides an excellent window into more than ""thinking cis."" Her book reveals a great deal about how attraction and desire in today's U.S. are socially structured and produced in ways that reinforce patterns of social privilege and stigma.--Cary Costello, Univeristy of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Creating what will be a foundational cornerstone of the emerging sub-field of Critical Cis-ness Studies, alithia zamantakis explores desire, positionality, transmisogny, and transmisogynoir through a series of interviews and focus groups with cisgender people who are attracted to women. A must read for those interested in gender, sexuality, and race, and how these experiences shape cis views of trans women.--Shanna Kattari, University of Michigan In advocating for the expansion of a ""critical cis studies,"" zamantakis asks us to take seriously the notion that cisgender identity is a distinct concept worthy of investigation in and of itself, rather than a default state of being to which trans identity stands in opposition. [...] Thinking Cis stands as a worthwhile contribution to the contemporary sociological literature on gender and trans studies.--Max Osborn, Villanova University Thinking Cis begins with a seemingly subtle yet profoundly-significant assumption: since anti-trans violence is largely perpetrated by cisgender people, understanding why it occurs and how to prevent it must begin by studying cisgender people. zamantakis expertly unpacks the often-unquestioned assumptions in our society about standards of beauty, attraction, and what is ""natural,"" as well as their integral role in anti-trans violence. This book highlights that violence against trans people cannot be explained away as the actions of a few troubled but isolated perpetrators. Rather, through the words of everyday cisgender people, Thinking Cis suggests that the fundamental need felt by many to prove their ""cis-ness"" to themselves and to others can drive support for anti-trans violence. Scholars, activists, and service providers will find this to be a valuable, eye-opening addition to their shelves and their work, and an important contribution to future solutions.--Adam Messinger, Northeastern Illinois University"