

EMBODIMENT
In the context of transness, embodiment is being present in a physical body in the location of that body. For many trans people, there is a disconnect between their inner self and the body they occupy. Most seek a transition of some sort (physical, social, emotional) in order to feel more at home in their body. Transness implies shift or addition to one's gender.
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In trans narratives, there is generally a contradiction in embodiment. The trans character is one thing and another at the same time. Not all trans people experience dysphoria in the same way or intensity. That contradiction is perpetuated by a binary understanding of gender. Within it, the trans person is one thing on the outside while hiding another on the inside. Focusing on the contradiction of current self and desire to be otherwise implies the middle area between the two points is wrong.
The trope of the tragic trans narrative only allows trans characters to be empathized with through their suffering. This suffering is either a battle with their internal dysphoria or in opposition to outside oppression because of their transness. In resistance to the pervasive, tragic trans narrative, POST/TRANS/ANIMAL frames trans embodiment around play. A mindset of play revels in the various states on the way to embodiment. A trans person tries out new genders and presentations until one gives them the euphoria of successful embodiment. One can enjoy the ambiguity of the journey regardless of where the end is located.