For my graphic design class, I had to create potential shirt designs that would raise awareness for a “cause.” I chose “detransition acceptance” which of course, none of my fellow classmates understood. I had to explain what detransition was, and had to placate a “concerned” 21 year old man who was worried that these designs would “detract from transgender acceptance and alienate trans people”, such as his “nonbinary sibling.” To this I responded, “would you be saying that if I were making transgender acceptance shirts? Raising awareness for that experience?” And this ended the debate.
I made several mind-maps for the concept; how to show the complex imagery of detransition and all the chaos that entails? The biggest problem was creating visual-only graphics with no typographic elements allowed, that showed detransition, and did not accidently promote transition. I ended up taking inspiration from feminist designers before me and created 3 images for female to male to female detranstion awareness and if it’s not too cringy to say, “pride.”
The resulting graphics expressed my typical colorful funky style, with stripped down pop art elements demonstrating positive energy, renewal, and attention-grabbing linework that would draw eye and hopefully brain, to contemplate what the energy could represent. Without using text, this was a challenging concept to express, but the “if you know, you know” motifs of the detransition and gender critical community still became fond honors of detransitioners the courageous journeys they have taken.
Female Detransition Awareness, Green
The first design utilized to “best” represent the concept, is the “return to female” detransition acceptance. It features a female venus symbol with an arrow to reflect a return to female identity. The hand forms represent embracement of the concept of the return, and of detransition itself. The funky shapes around the venus symbol are “positive vibes” (sorry, not sorry) showing healing energy with a dash of funk. (And hopefully it doesn’t come off excessively phallic, but as a token straight detransitioner, I take no responsibility if it does.)
Funky Detrans Lizard, Pink
The second design takes the underground motif of the lizard as a symbol for detransition, as some lizards are able to shed and regrow their tails. This process of destruction and body modification healing is a perfect symbol for detransitioners’ process of self-growth, evolution, and life after physical transition. I included the return to female venus symbol on the forehead along with the same funky healing energy motifs to represent detransition to the majority of viewers who may not be familiar with the lizard symbol and what it means.
Female Acceptance, Tan
The final design takes a retro 60’s feminist liberation approach to represent female acceptance in general, with venus symbols and circulating funky healing energy surrounding a crescent moon, a symbol of womanhood and the divine feminine. The moon represents the yin or feminine energy in many contexts, including astrology, as menstrual cycles are tied to lunar and tides changes. This design is a throwback to the second wave feminist imagery that many female detransitoners have embraced with radical feminism and a return to the female body and grounding in nature.
My liberal young adult classmates did not have the background for understanding the brevity of these designs, but they enjoyed them aesthetically and a few of them said they researched more about detransition on their own. While these were made for my own and the catharsis of other detrans supporters, I am glad that a few people were exposed to a concept they might have otherwise demonized without critical thought if they ran into it on their own.
What do you think? Do these images accurately portray detrans acceptance and positive healing energy? What do you think I should do with these designs to best promote Detrans awareness and acceptance?
For fun(k) I have other color variations of each design listed below! Which color background do you like best?
I love the moon one! The others as well, but the moon seems like the perfect symbol for female acceptance.