Date of Award
Spring 2024
Degree Type
Thesis
First Advisor
Amanda Apgar, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Mairead Sullivan, Ph.D.
Abstract
Political discourse, defined as “the totality of all speech acts used in political discussions, as well as rules of public policy, sanctified by tradition and proven by experience” (Valerevna and Rakhmatovna 88) has a profound impact on shaping societal perspectives, policies, and cultural norms. In the United States, historical presidential rhetoric has reinforced ideals like the nuclear family, inadvertently promoting heteronormativity and white supremacy. Consequently, this has led to marginalized groups, such as queer and trans migrants, being unjustly portrayed as outsiders or threats. This research project demonstrates how presidential discourse has framed queer and trans migrants as outsiders or invaders spanning from the 1980s to today. By contrasting the words of Reagan, Obama, and Trump I argue that frameworks of race and sexuality, specifically heteronormativity and white supremacy, are deeply interconnected to the immigration process. I explore how despite shifting discourse, queer and trans migrants continue to face mistreatment and exclusion, often catalyzed by presidential rhetoric and the corresponding legislation. While there have been immense shifts in policy and culture, the use of common sense rhetoric remains consistent and unwavering.
Recommended Citation
Richards, Isabella, "Queer and Trans Migrations: The Impacts of Presidential Discourse" (2024). Women's and Gender Studies Theses. 1.
https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/wgst_thesis/1
