BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

Travesti: Sex, Gender, and Culture Among Brazilian Transgendered Prostitutes
Stock photo: cover may vary

Travesti: Sex, Gender, and Culture Among Brazilian Transgendered Prostitutes Hardback - 1998 - 1st Edition

by Don Kulick

Add to wish list

Reader reviews for Travesti: Sex, Gender, and Culture Among Brazilian Transgendered Prostitutes

From the publisher

In this dramatic and compelling narrative, anthropologist Don Kulick follows the lives of a group of transgendered prostitutes (called travestis in Portuguese) in the Brazilian city Salvador. Travestis are males who, often beginning at ages as young as ten, adopt female names, clothing styles, hairstyles, and linguistic pronouns. More dramatically, they ingest massive doses of female hormones and inject up to twenty liters of industrial silicone into their bodies to create breasts, wide hips, and large thighs and buttocks. Despite such irreversible physiological changes, virtually no travesti identifies herself as a woman. Moreover, travestis regard any male who does so as mentally disturbed.

Kulick analyzes the various ways travestis modify their bodies, explores the motivations that lead them to choose this particular gendered identity, and examines the complex relationships that they maintain with one another, their boyfriends, and their families. Kulick also looks at how travestis earn their living through prostitution and discusses the reasons prostitution, for most travestis, is a positive and affirmative experience.

Arguing that transgenderism never occurs in a "natural" or arbitrary form, Kulick shows how it is created in specific social contexts and assumes specific social forms. Furthermore, Kulick suggests that travestis--far from deviating from normative gendered expectations--may in fact distill and perfect the messages that give meaning to gender throughout Brazilian society and possibly throughout much of Latin America.

Through Kulick's engaging voice and sharp analysis, this elegantly rendered account is not only a landmark study in its discipline but also a fascinating read for anyone interested in sexuality and gender.

First line

The shortest route to Sao Francisco Street from the square where the bus lets you off at the end of the line is down a steep, narrow alley through which cars cannot pass because the potholes are too big.

Details

  • Title Travesti: Sex, Gender, and Culture Among Brazilian Transgendered Prostitutes
  • Author Don Kulick
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition number 1st
  • Edition 1
  • Pages 277
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher University of Chicago Press
  • Publication date November 15, 1998
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780226460994 / 0226460991
  • Weight 1.13 lbs (0.51 kg)
  • Dimensions 9 x 6 x 0.9 in (22.86 x 15.24 x 2.29 cm)
  • Category Nonfiction
  • Library of Congress subjects Transvestites - Brazil - Salvador, Male prostitutes - Brazil - Salvador
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 98015319
  • Dewey Decimal Code 306.77

More Copies for Sale

Travesti : Sex, Gender, and Culture among Brazilian Transgendered Prostitutes

Travesti : Sex, Gender, and Culture among Brazilian Transgendered Prostitutes

by Don Kulick

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780226460994 / 0226460991
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$61.75
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
University of Chicago Press, 1998. Hardcover. Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$61.75
Free Delivery to USA
Travesti: Sex, Gender, and Culture among Brazilian Transgendered Prostitutes (Worlds of Desire:...
Stock photo: cover may vary

Travesti: Sex, Gender, and Culture among Brazilian Transgendered Prostitutes (Worlds of Desire: The Chicago Series on Sexuality, Gender, and Culture)

by Kulick, Don

  • Used
  • Hardback
  • first
Condition
Used
Edition
First Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780226460994 / 0226460991
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$80.92
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
University of Chicago Press, 1998-11-15. First Edition. hardcover. Used: Good. 9.26x6.20x0.86. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$80.92
Free Delivery to USA
Travesti: Sex, Gender, and Culture among Brazilian Transgendered Prostitutes (Worlds of Desire:...
Stock photo: cover may vary

Travesti: Sex, Gender, and Culture among Brazilian Transgendered Prostitutes (Worlds of Desire: The Chicago Series on Sexuality, Gender, and Culture)

by Kulick, Don

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780226460994 / 0226460991
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$145.29
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$145.29
Free Delivery to USA