New York City self-defines as the trans capital of the world—whatever that means! (What does that mean?) While the city is hardly the low-cost artist haven it was in the twentieth century, it nonetheless offers a wide variety of trans culture, social life, and healthcare. Canonical TransLit novels like Detransition, Baby or Nevada are set here for a reason. While states like Florida and Missouri restrict gender-affirming care, many trans people, forced to leave their homes, move to cities like NYC, which position themselves as liberal beacons.

But, despite this reputation, NYC’s status as a trans capital is unable to metabolize the following contradiction: it is the capital of a crumbling US empire, which still wields tremendous power, both nationally and abroad. From COVID-19, stagflation, and forever wars––including wars against its own people––America’s death drive is increasingly clear. Artificial resource scarcity intensifies neoliberal austerity and competition, as the issues facing New York reflect national trends. And yet, even as the care state retracts domestically, America still wields significant political power, as does trans New York. Money and attention flow into the city, taking resources away from trans communities elsewhere, which are relegated to “the provinces,” even if lower costs of living arguably mean that cooler things arguably are happening outside NYC

This class thus analyzes the history and impact of NYC’s status as a trans capital. We’ll look at: the history of pre-Stonewall New York; how trans people in NYC were depicted by cis people pre-Tipping Point in shows like Sex and the City; the way trans New Yorkers have depicted their environment and themselves; and how trans people living outside NYC see and relate to the city by e.g. consuming representations of trans New York remotely and via tourism.

Registration:
This course is offered at a sliding scale. If you are financially stable and/or have disposable income, please consider selecting the Pay-It-Forward rate to subsidize our sliding scale tiers. Payment plans are also available.

- Sliding Scale 1: $90 ($15 per class)
- Sliding Scale 2: $150 ($25 per class)
- Sliding Scale 3: $210 ($35 per class)
- Sliding Scale 4: $270 ($45 per class)
- Pay-It-Forward: $300 ($50 per class)

Registration closes on Monday, 10/30! If you're interested in a payment plan, please email marilyn@maydayspace.org.

Format:
This class is HYBRID (in-person at Mayday, with a virtual component for remote attendees) and meets for 7 sessions between November 5th to December 10th. Classes are Sundays from 3:30pm to 5pm. The schedule is below:
- Sunday, November 5th
- Sunday, November 12th
- Sunday, November 19th
- Sunday, November, 26
- Sunday, December 3rd
- Sunday, December 10th
- Sunday, December 10th

You are welcome to attend in-person or via Zoom, with Zoom facilitation by Benji Arellano-Fryer. We will also have a class Discord, which we’ll use to archive readings and facilitate discussion in between classes.

We will have readings for each week, but to quote Beatrice Adler-Bolton, “You never have to do the reading to attend reading group. The reading is just a jumping off point.” And she’s right: the aim isn’t for anyone to feel guilt, or like they’re really having to work, or like they have nothing to offer. Everyone is the expert of their life; everyone has something to offer. So just come chill :)

About the instructor:
Charlie Markbreiter is The New Inquiry's Managing Editor. He is currently getting a PhD at the CUNY Graduate Center. His first book, Gossip Girl Fanfic Novella, was published November 2022. He didn't write this. A bot did!