I’m Tired of Hearing the ‘M-Word’
Posted: April 11, 2011 Filed under: Gender | Tags: critics, language, transsexuality Comments Off on I’m Tired of Hearing the ‘M-Word’It’s funny, the words people adopt as standard when describing things. You can learn a lot about someone’s views on a subject simply through the words they use in serious discussions of it. For instance, consider the “agenda” of gay rights supporters. The only people who refer to the gay rights movement as having a cohesive “agenda” are those who oppose it. Why? Because it lets them paint it in a scary light, as a looming menace.
There are plenty of such telltale words within discussions of transsexuality as well, but one in particular stands out: mutilation. I have not encountered a single trans individual or sympathizer who has ever used the term “mutilation” to refer to any aspect of transsexual existence. This is a term strictly used by those who deride, denounce, or otherwise disrespect trans individuals.
Do Unto Others…
Posted: March 21, 2011 Filed under: Allies, Community Comments Off on Do Unto Others…There’s a concept that you’ll find in many religions and moral philosophies: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, there’s a very good amount of sense in this concept. For starters, it prevents a cyclical escalation of hostilities – after all, it’s unlikely you really want other people causing problems for you. There’s also the helpful side effect of not making yourself a hypocrite if you choose to ask for someone else to stop being problematic.
Far too often, however, people forget this – especially when it comes to respecting members of other marginalized groups. They forget that no matter how compelling their own struggle is, that doesn’t mean that others don’t struggle as well. This forgetfulness leads to hurtful, spiteful remarks, the likes of which should never be justified.
Let’s work towards understanding, not dismissal.
You Know What’s Not Cool?
Posted: February 28, 2011 Filed under: Allies, Gender, Sexuality | Tags: coming out, family 1 CommentLet me begin this post with a little storytelling.
The first member of my family I ever came out to as trans was my mother. It was a few days after christmas – this was in college; the only time I was actually at home was during the winter holidays. I had been debating with myself the if, how, when, where, who I should tell, for months if not years – ever since I had discovered the terminology to actually describe how it was that I felt. The debate isn’t easy, nor is it fun – it often kept me up late at night, churning over it in my mind. Impatience to tell someone would wrestle with worries that something would go wrong. Sparks of determination would die premature deaths in puddles of hesitance.
A Different View of Gender
Posted: February 24, 2011 Filed under: Gender | Tags: feminism, identity, transgender Comments Off on A Different View of GenderFrom the perspective of a trans-identified individual who also considers themselves a feminist, it seems like there’s one issue that always seems to cut to the heart of the tension between those two groups. How can a group whose very nature stems from gender distinction (transgender individuals), and another whose goals often include dismantling gender, reconcile their viewpoints with one another? I’ve spent a long time thinking this particular question, and this entry is going to be my attempt at an answer.
Lowest Common Denominator
Posted: February 22, 2011 Filed under: Community | Tags: discourse, privilege, stereotypes Comments Off on Lowest Common DenominatorI’m not sure I can think of anything more frustrating to a member of any particular group of people than having that group portrayed, discussed, and (as is often the case) dismissed or condemned in the context of its lowest common denominators. When I say “lowest common denominators,” I’m referring to the members of a given group that portray the stereotypes that others exploit to discredit them; the members that are on the extreme end of the bell curve for any particular aspect.
Does Being Trans Promote a Gender Binary?
Posted: February 1, 2011 Filed under: Gender | Tags: feminism, genderqueer, stereotypes, transgender Comments Off on Does Being Trans Promote a Gender Binary?Read through the vast amount of discussion on both transgender and feminism-devoted websites and eventually, you’re bound to run into the accusation that “transgender individuals promote a binary view of gender.” Oftentimes the story goes that because transgender individuals feel they are the “other” gender, that must require the assumption that there are only two clearly defined genders. In other cases, transgender individuals are portrayed as single-mindedly seeking stereotypical “manly” or “womanly” attributes and thus promoting such stereotypes.
Both of these arguments are problematic. Let’s begin with the former, which is predicated on some faulty assumptions.
The Solution Is Part of the Problem
Posted: January 24, 2011 Filed under: Care Providers, Medical Providers, Mental Health Providers | Tags: doctors, dsm, education, therapists, transsexual 2 CommentsOne of the many challenges for trans individuals is that presented by the very people they look to and rely on for help: medical and mental health providers. Both play key roles in the process of physical transition for individuals who choose to pursue it, yet an astoundingly large portion of providers are utterly unprepared to provide quality assistance towards such a goal. As a result, many trans people encounter frustration, confusion, disrespect, and sometimes even sabotage from the very people whom they are supposed to trust with their well-being.
How Is This Justice?
Posted: January 21, 2011 Filed under: Crime, Legal & Justice System | Tags: police, rape, texas, transsexual, trigger warning, WTF Comments Off on How Is This Justice?Note – the following news article may be triggering for some individuals.
I'm a Real Person Too 