Abstract

ALVAREZ, Ana Gabriela. «Maricas chicharras» and «transvestis»: markets, shows and transnational exchanges in the origins of the identity of trans women (Buenos Aires, 1960s and 1970s). Rev. Urug. Cienc. Polít. [online]. 2022, vol.31, n.1, pp.103-126.  Epub June 01, 2022. ISSN 0797-9789.  https://doi.org/10.26851/rucp.31.1.5.

This article explores the appearance of travesti and of marica quemante or marica chicharra identities in the city of Buenos Aires during the 1960s and 1970s. Through interviews with trans women from the time and the use of archives, I observe the emergence of these identities gendered as feminine. Making inventive use of new biotechnologies, performances and prosthetics, these identities distiguished themselves from the arc of homosexualities by creating an eroticized femininity. Their spaces of experimentation were the artistic field as well as that of prostitution. One of the differences between these two was its degree of publicity or clandestinity: whereas travesti was a public category in theatre for «vedettes» who acted onstage as women, mariuca chicharra or quemante was being used by the maricas themselves as a way of emphasizing their femininity and attempt to pass as women while working the streets, both in order to attract clients and to avoid being arrested by police.

Keywords : travesti and marica identities; prostitution; cabaret.

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