(Trans)gendering public toilets: Queering toilet humour in South Park's 'The Cissy'. (1st September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Robbins, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Queer studies in media & popular culture. Volume 3:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 321
• Page End: 334
• Publication Date: 2018-09-01
• Subjects: Gender identity in mass media -- Research -- Periodicals; Gays in popular culture -- Research -- Periodicals; Gays in motion pictures -- Research -- Periodicals; Homosexuality in motion pictures -- Research -- Periodicals; 305.3
• DOI: 10.1386/qsmpc.3.3.321_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-5695

Abstract

This article reads South Park's episode 'The Cissy', which aired in 2014, to consider broader social discourse about gendered public toilet segregation in America. A resurgent interest in policing the borders of public toilets has led to the development of 'bathroom bill' legislation in some states. Given the unique challenges that this causes for elementary schools, South Park's take on the practice of gendered toileting is deemed a relevant text. This article argues that 'The Cissy' queers the animation series' own framework of toilet humour by using the toilet and its boundaries as a vehicle through which to explicate a position of transgender rights.