The Super Bowl happens this weekend in Tampa. My son and I have already stocked up on chips, pizza, wings, and other edibles that we both typically avoid. That one day is a license to be bad and we both plan to exersize that right. We’re both hoping that Arizona wins although we’re both as excited about the commercials as we are about the game.
On the heels of my note earlier in the week about Reality TV is an article in the Dallas Voice today about use of the words “tranny” and “drag queen” using the sub-headline “Trans activists demand Dallas Voice to stop using ‘drag queen’ and ‘tranny’“. It starts out:
This week, the blog Planetransgender demanded that Dallas Voice cease using the terms “drag queen” and “tranny.” They say the words are derogatory and inspire bigotry, which could result in the violent murders of our trans brothers and sisters.
Since journalists should act as guardians of free speech, the demand was way excessive. Besides, we’ve all seen the word “queer” go through transition — thanks to one television show. And it wasn’t “Queer as Folk.”
The phenomenal popularity of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” made wrinkly hetero dudes like Regis Philbin and David Letterman say “queer” without flinching. And without a hint of disparagement.
Is it possible to reclaim “tranny” and “drag queen”?
We’re already there.
To get the definitive answer to this question they turn to none other than “America’s Sweetheart” (their term) RuPaul who says it’s OK. She says:
“We are obsessed with trying find areas where we get offended,” RuPaul says. “And people who identify as being victims have a hard time accepting a new identity. They hold their ‘victim identity’ in place. And they continue to look for people or organizations where they can point their finger at and, in essence, confirm their victimhood.
What??!! That makes no sense to me.
I dunno. I bet if you refer to her by using the “N” word you’d find out just how far the boundaries of her “victimhood” go. I don’t belive this has anything to do with victimhood. It has to do with perjorative slang words that some/many/most of us find offensive. Including me. I’d bet that if they asked more people than all-knowing trans activist RuPaul they’d find that her response is by no means a collective consensus and, in fact, her opinion probably puts her in the significant minority.
The fact that RuPaul is the author’s only point of reference is a significant problem in and of itself. These kinds of mocking non-news stories are simply designed to aggravate and degrade, not to inform. If anything, it highlights the continuing broad gulf between GLB and T. If your opinion is different (or even if it’s the same) feel free to write the author of this gem to tell him so (kusner@dallasvoice.com). I’ll be writing to him shortly.
The N-Word is to African Americans as Faggot is to gays and lesbians as Tranny is to transgender people. It’s not about reclaiming anything. It’s about respect. Being a journalist doesn’t excuse you from that.
There was a press conference earlier this week to discuss the suit that the ACLU is bringing on behalf of two Illiniois women who sought to change their birth certificate after SRS in Thailand but were denied. Apparently, the Vital Records Act in that state specifically identifies that it will change records only so long as the doctor who performed the surgery is licensed to practice in the US. Have any other people who read this encountered similar problems? This can’t be the first time this has happened.
The Chicago Sun Times reported on their situation (read their story here). As often happens with things posted about us on the web the Comments section is full of people who choose to share their ignorance. Just wait until next week. I expect that there will be an article featuring a trans topic in USA Today. I’m not sure how the reporter will spin it but it’s sure to generate discussion. Stay tuned for that.
Creating Change kicked off in Denver yesterday. For those who are there – I wish I were there with you. Last year was my first Creating Change Conference and it opened a whole new side of activism to me. More than that, though, is that I met some amazing people there. It is the dedication and passion of these grassroots folks who give me so much hope for the future. They’re expecting 2,000 people at this year’s event which is the first conducted under a government with an open ear to our needs.
Dr. Michele Angello is there and sent this to me about yesterday’s plenary: “Last night at the plenary, Dolores Huerta spoke. I had not heard of her, but OH MY GOD what an incredible organizer. if anyone is interested, ck out doloreshuerta.org.” They’ve already posted a video clip of some of her remarks (see it here).
Earlier in the day, the opening session titled “We Can Get There From Here: A Movement Dialogue” featured a conversation among some of the LGBT movement’s most accomplished thinkers and activists: gender and women studies professor John D’Emilio, Inner Light Ministries President Rev. Deborah L. Johnson and Arcus Foundation Executive Director Urvashi Vaid. A brief video clip of that is also already online (see it here).
If anyone doubted President Obama’s commitment to moving social issues the fact that the first bill that he signed into law yesterday deals with Equal Pay should lay those concerns to rest (details here). There was a profile on NPR of Lilly Ledbetter, the person for whom this act is named, that was just wonderful. It’s another example of just another person who realizes that she’s being treated unfairly and standing up for her rights.
As for me, I got something in the mail yesterday from AARP me if I want to join. Apparently one of the criteria for becoming a member is turning 50 years old. Oy. Next thing you know I’ll be getting senior citizens discounts on things. Dubble-Oy. How do they know my birthday is coming up? It’s like there’s a Senior Years Welcome Wagon out there that’s watching everyone and as soon as you get to within a month of turning 50 they’re all over you. I can’t wait to see what else shows up.
I received a Reminder from the folks at Colorado Gold Rush today:
We would like to just send a little reminder to all for the EARLY BIRD Registration for the Colorado Gold Rush Conference.
Our early bird will end this weekend,, so take a minute and go to www.gicofcolo.org
And register and save.
Lastly for today, GLAAD President Neil Giuliano announced this week that he’ll be stepping down (details here). I have to admit I’m not all that surprised. I knew Neil as a fellow Phoenix-area resident long before he took the helm of GLAAD. He was the mayor of Tempe, AZ and I think he misses the Valley. I know I do. Anyway, I’m hopeful that the next ED is strong on trans issues.
Everyday we are marginalized and degraded by the press, ignorant people who have unfounded fears, and even people who use us in ways they think funny. Much of it is by, perhaps, or not, well meaning gays who put on HAG DRAG and give the public a terrible conception of who we are. Names do not hurt people. At least that is what we are led to believe, but those names lead other people to hurt us, beat us, bash us, and even kill us. This may not mean anything to others, but when you have three guys attack you, then it means a lot. When you have bruising that stares back at you every morning in the mirror, it builds rage. When the police treat it like a joke, the rage becomes a cause. When a couple of days later a truck comes out of the dark and attempts to run you off of the road, and follows you to the door of your employer, racing across the parking lot at over 60 mph to interdict your entry, it exceeds rage, and brings terror. At night, you jump at every noise, and reach for safety; it is followed by a passion to end its terror and control. You are told by the social worker that you should leave town, as do others who work in the county courthouse. In the silence listening to your own heart beat you turn rage and terror into conviction. Oh yes, that is how you deal with it. You get protection and carry it were ever you need to feel safe. You carry when you drive, you sleep with it, and you are always evaluating and looking. You cannot help it.
Stick and Stones, …… Names do not break bones????
Me, well, I have some experience and skill, and the next time, it is a matter of me or them. No tolerance, no thought, nothing but what I am trained to do. That’s all.
I don’t think RuPaul is in any position to say that we’re already “there” with the word tranny. I don’t think we are there. I’m not comfortable with the word. I and a lot of trans people I know are even hesitant to use it among ourselves, unless we’re joking. I don’t think I’m ready to hear the cissexual world say “tranny” when it has not, in fact, been reclaimed. Frankly, even if Regis Philbin can say Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, I don’t think there would be too many other contexts in which it would be that cool for him to use the word queer.
I certainly hope the ACLU can win that case. Meanwhile, I’ve read some pretty abusive stuff about it and about the two women. I don’t think we’re ready for tranny to go into common parlance when so many people just don’t get it at all.
Donna I will not use the t word as i call it or answer it or acknowledge anyone who uses it ….. as for the suerbowl i will be working all day and will be asleep on my couch with Jellybean as its on yes here in Tampa bay and i like Az too…
I do not like the word “tranny” and I don’t like the word “queer”. I am a woman, female and lady. I do liked to be called maam as I feel I’m old enough for that label, I also like Ms. as that is who I am. Why do we need these other derogatory names to be associated with us.
This idea of having a US doctor perform GRS is obsurd. What if you had your surgery done by a doctor who has died and you want to change your BC. I guess your out of luck.
FYI, Bilerico picked up a <a href=”http://www.bilerico.com/2009/01/the_only_moral_use_of_an_epithet_is_my_o.php”post with my thoughts pointing out the editor’s willful ignorance and hypocracy.
As someone aptly put it elsewhere — in the case of the pro-gay” radio DJ defending his right to call gays “fags”:
“When someone says you’re doing something that hurts them, you could either a) stop doing it, or b) continue. Why would you continue? If you accidentally step on someone’s foot in a crowd, and they say “Ouch!” would you apologize, or would you try to convince them that it really didn’t hurt because you didn’t mean any harm?”
“We are obsessed with trying find areas where we get offended,” RuPaul says. “And people who identify as being victims have a hard time accepting a new identity. They hold their ‘victim identity’ in place. And they continue to look for people or organizations where they can point their finger at and, in essence, confirm their victimhood. ”
So – then he won’t mind if I call his mother some names she might find insulting?
Cool.
For those who seem to find security living under the “T” umbrella; this how I view my transition and what I am. I had an illness which I have surgically resolved, and found appropriate cure. I was by others definition given the wrong gender and it was so troubling that I nearly died from it. However, I was strong enough to overcome the debilitating condition and become the woman that not only I know I am, but many doctors have agreed that I am. In fact, not only has the respected medical establishment deemed me a female, but so has the government of many several states. So that is that, nothing more to say about it.
What I do have to say is that those who think this woman is going to surrender to hateful and illegal behavior enacted by an impotent bunch of bigots, they should think otherwise. RuPaul may think he has some kind of insight, but he has not met me, nor has he the right to speak for me, nor does anyone else. Should he, or his ilk and rabble think they have a clue as to the trials and danger that daily is part of the Transgender life, they are wrong. It would be fatal insight to think I will ever again allow their hand on my life.
I can only suggest to all of the Trans-community to act and work harder than what they have in the past, and be unbending and unwavering in the endeavor to be treated as a human being. Not a special human, but one like anyone else.
I have more documentation than a natal female that says I’m female. I just thought I would throw that in. I’m being a smart a&&.
I’m a member of AARP Donna. Yeh.
When I couldn’t find a job with health insurance benefits, I signed up for their United Healthcare Group Plan. It’s not great, but not bad. They also have a social network similar to Facebook. I run an AARP Transgender group and there are also LBG groups available. SO…
Being over 50 isn’t a bad thing. I’m proud to have made it this far and I’m having more fun now than I EVER have before. Embrace it sweety and be proud!
As for the ‘Tranny’ and ‘Drag Queen’ thing. The Dallas Voice certainly has a lot of nerve deciding what categories to put us into under the guise of ‘free speech.’ So they want ‘us’ to ‘reclaim’ these monikers. Hmmm.. Kind of hard to do when we never ‘CLAIMED’ them in the first place as they were ‘assigned’ by others.
Ok. I hereby categorize the Dallas Voice as a-holes under my first amendment rights. See how easy it is?
Stay warm.
Sorry, but this trannie is okay with using the word trannie, and okay when other trans people use it. (I use “ie” instead of “y.”) I draw the line when non-trans people use it, because they don’t get the privilege we earned with our blood.
The way I look at it, if I control its use, then I’m the one in charge. If we despise the word and bitch about its use, then we let it control us, and those non-trans people who use it will control us. Is that what we want? There’s psychology in play here. Use the psychology to your advantage and not let the word get to you.
You think the trans community will ever have the power to put the same negative connotations on “trannie/tranny” as has been placed on the “N” word? That’s dreaming. All the talk on blogs and comments ain’t going to make it happen. So. Take control, or let it control you. Your choice. This trannie has made her choice.
I try to only use the word “tranny” when referring to a gearbox, and not to human beings. I don’t take offense to its use, but don’t choose to use it in that way. After all, I have a van I can’t drive because it has a dead tranny under it, and it fell on me once, almost causing a trannie to die. Seriously, we really should not use it as a contracted form of transgender.
It’s unimaginable that a reporter could imagine RuPaul being a spokesman for the T community, after Ru’s support of Chuck Knipp (aka Shirley Q. Liquor) and Michael Bailey. But Ru’s dumb enough to think he could be one. After all, he once thought he could sing.
Get the AARP membership. It’s worth 10% off air travel and hotels, if you choose carefully. I don’t recommend the bifocals, blood pressure medication, cpap machine, low-fat/carb/taste diet, and cane that turning 50 has required of me, however.
In re: what Polar just posted…I remember a quick oil change place not far from here that used to advertise a “tranny flush.” They’ve never repeated that particular offer. My spouse and I got a good laugh out of it.
I don’t let words control me. I don’t use the word “tranny” except in a joking way with other trans women, but I’m not going to get on anyone’s case for using it. At least not another trans person!
One thing is that for me, “tranny” makes me think of drag queens, not trans women.
“Tranny IS Just a Word” at: http://www.bilerico.com/2009/02/tranny_is_just_a_word.php