TRANS-Gression: the game

In the art of drag, icons of masculinity and femininity are juxtaposed on one body, challenging heteronormativity. The goal of this project was to create a game that provided a safe space for players to negotiate their own identities of gender and sexuality through the framework provided by the game...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: De Anda, Michael A
Other Authors: John Sanbonmatsu, Committee Member
Format: Others
Published: Digital WPI 2013
Subjects:
gay
de
Online Access:https://digitalcommons.wpi.edu/etd-theses/304
https://digitalcommons.wpi.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1303&context=etd-theses
Description
Summary:In the art of drag, icons of masculinity and femininity are juxtaposed on one body, challenging heteronormativity. The goal of this project was to create a game that provided a safe space for players to negotiate their own identities of gender and sexuality through the framework provided by the game rules and affordances. The research behind this project challenges the criticisms of drag as purely gender representation, identifying drag as a signifier of the presence of the LGBTQ community. By iterating the design throughout the development process, I was able to create opportunities for players to reflect upon gender presentation and be in solidarity with one another. Conversations resulting from the play experience revealed the ability of games to provide a context for players to navigate complex understandings.