
Carla A. Pfeffer
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About Carla
Dr. Pfeffer's research focuses on LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, health, and social equity. Overarching themes in Dr. Pfeffer's writings include critical inquiry into bodies considered marginal and social actors’ management of stigma and discrimination processes. Dr. Pfeffer is a sociologist who serves the Director of the Consortium for Sexual and Gender Minority Health in the School of Social Work at Michigan State University.
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Represents the largest, most geographically comprehensive, in-depth interview study conducted with the cisgender women partners of transgender men to date. Discusses marriage, family, LGBT communities, gender, sexualities, sociology, and qualitative methods.
Considers whether or not proving that homosexuality is genetic may influence support for lesbian and gay people. Challenges the notion that “born this way” formulations of sexual identity always result in more accepting attitudes toward lesbians and gay men.
Challenges the notion that LGBT group membership is solely biological and that LGBT people would never choose to be LGBT. Suggests that human rights should not be predicated on biological vs. choice-based determinations of group membership.
Discusses the types of household and emotional labor performed by the partners of transgender people, expanding scholarship on LGBT families and family life.
Discusses the importance of expanding scholarship on the sexualities and sexual behavior of those who are transgender-identified and their partners in order to counter common misperceptions and confusion between sex, gender, sexuality, and sexual behavior.
Considers how a transgender partner’s body image and gender-related body dysphoria may affect a romantic partner’s body image and impact intimacy between partners.
Identifies the social processes by which the partners of transgender people access regulated social recognition, services, and institutions on behalf of themselves, their partners, and their families.