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Transvestigation (a portmanteau of transgender and investigation) is a conspiracy theory that asserts that many celebrities and other prominent individuals are transgender (or, conversely, that some openly transgender celebrities are cisgender).[1] Proponents claim to be able to determine the assigned sex of individuals, primarily through photographic and video evidence. The methodology used by "transvestigators" adhering to this theory is subject to pareidolia and often suffers from confirmation bias.[2][3]
Prominent celebrities accused of being transgender include Taylor Swift, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Melania Trump, Margot Robbie, Michelle Obama and Jacinda Ardern.[4][2][5] Prominent athletes accused of being trans include Serena Williams and Katie Ledecky.[6][1][7] Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, has filed suit against accusations that she previously identified as a man.[8]
In the aftermath of the boxing controversy at the 2024 Olympic Games, the term gained renewed attention in light of accusations against Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting.[9][10]
- ^ a b "Transvestigation: Definition, Meaning, and Origin in Anti-LGBTQ Hate". GLAAD. November 2, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Lenton, Patrick (February 8, 2024). "A Wild Investigation of Transvestigators, the People Who Think Celebs Are All Trans". Vice. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ Klee, Miles (July 18, 2022). "Unhinged 'Transvestigators' Think They're the Only Cis People Left". MEL Magazine.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Karleby-2023was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Two women go on trial for claiming French first lady is transgender". Le Monde. June 20, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Snopeswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Dawson, Alan (May 31, 2018). "How Serena Williams responds to accusations that she 'was born a guy'". Business Insider. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
- ^ "Brigitte Macron to sue over false claims she was born male". BBC Home. December 22, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ López, Quispe (August 14, 2024). "How "Transvestigation," An Anti-Trans Conspiracy Theory, Made Its Way Into Mainstream Politics". Them. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
- ^ Radin, Sara (August 9, 2024). "What Is a 'Transvestigation?' Misogyny Gets a Rebrand at the Paris Olympics". Glamour. Retrieved August 16, 2024.