A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Managing Unpredictability: The Intimate Public of Finnish Trans Memes on Instagram




SubtitleThe Intimate Public of Finnish Trans Memes on Instagram

AuthorsJaaksi, Vilja

PublisherForeningen Lambda Nordica

Publication year2024

JournalLambda Nordica

Journal name in sourcelambda nordica

Volume29

Issue2-3

First page 97

Last page121

ISSN1100-2573

eISSN2001-7286

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.34041/ln.v29.958

Web address https://doi.org/10.34041/ln.v29.958

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/459186857


Abstract

While research has delved into the political and protest potential of memes, the analyses have largely left out political memes of marginalized communities. This article provides an analysis of Finnish trans memes on Instagram, focusing simultaneously on their political arguments and on the intimate public formed around them. Based on 18 media diaries and interviews with Finnish gender minorities, this article explores how Finnish trans memes on Instagram articulate how unjust social infrastructures create vulnerability and unpredictability in trans lives, while at the same time creating feelings of connection between and across identities, and alleviating feelings of vulnerability through laughter and care. The article challenges the traditional notion of politics as being outside of intimate publics, arguing that Finnish trans memes’ articulation of the vulnerability and unpredictability resulting from unjust infrastructure is, in fact, the connecting glue of the intimate public.


Downloadable publication

This is an electronic reprint of the original article.
This reprint may differ from the original in pagination and typographic detail. Please cite the original version.





Last updated on 2025-04-06 at 14:23