“Stigma politics” refers to the ways in which stigma is used in political and social contexts to influence public opinion, shape policy, and maintain power dynamics. It involves the strategic use of stigma by individuals, groups, or institutions to marginalize, control, or discredit certain populations or ideas for political gain.
In stigma politics, stigmatizing labels or stereotypes are often employed to create fear, justify discrimination, or rally support against a particular group or issue. This can manifest in various ways, such as:
- Scapegoating: Blaming a stigmatized group for broader social or economic problems, thereby diverting attention from more complex underlying causes.
- Moral Panic: Creating exaggerated public concern or fear over an issue by associating it with stigmatized behaviours or groups, leading to calls for punitive measures or restrictive policies.
- Policy Justification: Using stigma to justify policies that disproportionately harm or control stigmatized groups, such as harsh immigration laws, criminalization of certain behaviours, or restrictions on welfare.
- Discrediting Opponents: Politicians or leaders may use stigma to discredit their opponents, associating them with unpopular or stigmatized groups or ideologies.
An example of stigma politics could be the rhetoric used in some political campaigns that associate immigrants with crime or terrorism, thereby creating a stigma around immigration that justifies restrictive immigration policies. Another example might be the stigmatization of welfare recipients as lazy or undeserving, which can be used to justify cuts to social programs.
Overall, stigma politics is a powerful tool in shaping societal attitudes and policies, often at the expense of marginalized or vulnerable groups.
Summarised from “Stigma: the machinery of inequality” by Imogen Taylor, Bloomsbury Academic 2020
In the UK, stigma politics has been used against trans people, often manifesting in public discourse, media representation, and political rhetoric. While the term “eunuchs” is less commonly discussed in contemporary UK politics, the stigmatization of trans individuals serves as a relevant example of how stigma politics can operate.
Stigma Politics in the UK
Media Representation and Moral Panic:
The UK media has played a significant role in stigmatizing trans people, often by framing them as a threat to societal norms, particularly in relation to gender and sexuality. For instance, discussions around trans rights are sometimes sensationalized, with headlines suggesting that allowing trans women in women-only spaces poses a danger. This kind of coverage can create a moral panic, where the public is led to believe that the existence and rights of trans people threaten the safety or integrity of society, particularly regarding women’s rights.
Political Rhetoric and Policy Debates
In political debates, some politicians and public figures have used stigma politics to oppose reforms that would expand trans rights. For example, the debate around the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) reform, which proposed simplifying the process for legally changing gender, became a battleground for stigma politics. Opponents of the reform often used rhetoric that painted trans people, particularly trans women, as a danger to cisgender women in spaces like bathrooms and shelters. This framing sought to stigmatize trans individuals by portraying them as inherently deceptive or predatory, which influenced public opinion and slowed down or blocked the legislative process.
Public Narratives and Cultural Stigma
Public narratives that question the legitimacy of trans identities or label gender transition as a “social contagion” are also part of stigma politics. For instance, some public figures have promoted the idea that young people are being “misled” into transitioning, often using pejorative language that stigmatizes both the individuals and the medical professionals involved. This has contributed to a cultural environment where trans people are viewed with suspicion, and their experiences are delegitimized.
In a contemporary context, the experiences of eunuchs might sometimes be more analogous to discussions around non-binary or intersex individuals, who also face stigma and misunderstanding, as well as having elements in common with the traditional transgender community. However, in modern UK politics, these discussions tend to focus more on the broader LGBTQ+ community, with trans individuals being the most visible target of stigma politics.
A Real Life Example
The recent lies from the then Education Minister, Gillian Keegan, see:
Politicians can openly lie like Gillian Keegan and get away with it, causing moral outrage with the public rarely with the liar (even if they are called out) but with the group targeted by the lie.
Anything to win a vote.
Conclusion
In summary, stigma politics in the UK has been used against trans people by framing them as threats to societal norms, using media and political rhetoric to create moral panic, and influencing public opinion and policy. The historical stigmatization of eunuchs serves as a precedent for understanding how marginalized groups can be targeted by stigma, though the modern focus is more on trans individuals within the broader LGBTQ+ context.
Eunuchorn 
Leave a comment