A conspiracy theory known as "transvestigation" has been spreading across the internet, with a paranoid subset of users falsely claiming that various celebrities and public figures are secretly transgender. These theories, which blend transphobia, misogyny, and celebrity gossip, have now turned against right-wing figures, indicating how mainstream and apolitical this form of harassment has become.
The Rise of Transvestigations
Transvestigations have targeted figures like former First Lady Michelle Obama, who has been falsely accused of being a man, with manipulated photos circulated to make her features appear masculine. Algerian boxer Imane Khelif faced a global smear campaign after winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with J.K. Rowling leading the charge. These conspiracy theories draw on debunked phrenological tropes, using skeletal and cranial overlays to claim masculine characteristics in women they believe were born male.
Targeting the Right
Recently, right-wing figures have become targets. Erika Kirk, wife of slain Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, and actress Sydney Sweeney, often called "MAGA Barbie," have been subjects of transvestigations. Right-wing influencer Candace Owens launched a video series about Kirk, sharing childhood photos that fueled speculation. One user pointed to Kirk's "male hips" and "male clavicles" as proof she was born male. Similarly, a viral tweet questioned Sweeney's gender, citing her neck width, garnering over 5.6 million views.
Why This Matters
Lexi Webster, an associate professor at the University of Southampton, noted that "nobody is safe from this kind of conspiratorial discourse, including those on the right who operate in so-called 'gender critical' spaces." Jay Daniel Thompson, a senior lecturer at RMIT, explained that transvestigations reflect global hostility toward trans and LGBTQ+ communities and are deeply misogynistic. The theories rely on stereotypes of trans women as deceptive and untrustworthy, targeting women in the public eye to diminish their credibility.
The Role of Phrenology and Race
Transvestigators frequently draw on phrenology, a racist pseudoscience, which explains why Black women like Michelle Obama and brown women like Imane Khelif have been historically targeted. The mainstreaming of these theories reflects the broader rise of conspiratorial thinking, fueled by social media where everyone sees themselves as a digital sleuth.
Motivations and Impact
Some transvestigations are trolling, but they send a painful message to actual trans women. Samantha Lux, a trans activist, said, "Transvestigations further the narrative that being transgender is, in itself, deceptive." The theories also serve to strip credibility from women perceived as threatening the status quo, especially those in positions of power. As Lux noted, "The far right explicitly wants women to pursue submissive lifestyles. It doesn't matter how 'pro-far-right' a woman is; if she is in a position of power or success, she is not fulfilling the role they've prescribed her."
Conclusion
Transvestigations have become a tool for harassing women across the political spectrum, reflecting a dangerous blend of transphobia, misogyny, and conspiratorial thinking. As the phenomenon grows, it underscores the need for critical media literacy and a rejection of pseudoscientific claims that harm marginalized communities.
