A while back we reported that gay Dallas filmmaker Israel Luna’s “Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives!”— which will be the subject of a feature story in Friday’s Voice — had been selected for the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival. But today comes word that GLAAD has issued a call to action demanding that the film be pulled from the festival. Why? I’ll let you read it for yourself. I’ve also left a message with Luna to get his take. My guess is he’ll be thrilled to have the free publicity.
UPDATE: Here’s a link to the story from our print edition, in which some of these issues are addressed.
17 Comments
You never know where GLAAD, with its questionable aim, is going to fire next. I found it hard to get them to return calls when input was needed on questions about the fairness of mainstream newspaper reporting, which is more of a black-and-white issue. Artistic endeavors, such as Israel Luna’s film, need to be viewed more subjectively. Anyone who knows Israel realizes he ain’t guilty for what GLAAD is trying to hang him.
I tend to agree David, this is an artistic endeavor and therefore is going to be seen differently though everyone’s eyes. Freedom of speech/ freedom of expression- just because something is offensive to you does not give you the right to censor it… It is no different than mainstream society attempting to censor anything lgbt related.. if you don’t like it don’t look at it.. period.
Wait just a minute, guys!
Why is it “freedom of speech/freedom of expression” when a gay man makes a film that is a offensive in theme to a part of our community, especially the main group we could agree is less understood by many LGBs in our community? Yet no gay man was supporting Buju Banton’s freedom of speech/freedom of expression for an 18-year-old song (Boom Boom Bye), and few gay people differed with GLAAD’s boycott of Buju Banton’s Grammy nomination earlier this year even though the CD nominated had NO homophobic content!
I was unfamiliar with “Boom Boom Bye,” and I checked out the lyrics. I think the difference between Buju Banton’s work and Israel Luna’s film has to due with the intended audience. The audience for an arts film is more likely to consider it within the context of the artist’s intended expression. I doubt that any of Buju’s fans will be going to see the film and be influenced by it. I can’t imagine other people who could be easily persuaded to view transgender people negatively are going to view it either. Just as I wouldn’t know who Buju Banton is, I doubt that any of the people who would follow his work would be attracted to Israel’s work. I disagree with your assessment that LGB people don’t understand transgender people. Transgender people have been a part of my life for about 40 years now, just as they have others in the community. It’s true that transgender people have lagged behind LGB people in acceptance, but I believe that is changing thanks to the efforts of many LGB people. I have been a longtime supporter both verbally and in print of transgender rights. My point is that GLAAD should be targeting work that is likely to draw antagonism from those who threaten us, particulralry that which is clearly designed to target us. I believe that Israel’s work is just an extension of the type of films (such as the Chainsaw Massacre) that entertain some people and not others. I probably would not have ever gone to see it, but now that it’s caused such a fuss, I will.
Interesting comment coming from the Daniel Cates that protested Buju Banton’s performance here in Dallas. Or should I believe he has repented of his activism and seen the light of a ‘freedom’ of speech and expression that glorifies even hate speech?
It is a fine line and a slippery slope we tread. In any case, it is interesting to note how differently our community reacts to these issues when WE are the ones being called out.
We must also realize that this action did not begin with GLAAD, but with the transgender community here in Dallas. I wanna know why there was not ONE WORD reported on this controversy until GLAAD picked up on it. In the weeks before GLAAD issued their statement, I received several facebook invitations and notifications from transgender activist, Kelli Busey, who is also a (facebook) friend of John Wright (this post’s author), David Taffet, and presumably other staff writers for the Dallas Voice. To believe that they somehow missed this would be incredibly naive.
The DV’s silence on this controversy that they knew about long before GLAAD sat with their popcorn to assess this movie, and the subsequent dismissal of the transgender community’s concerns by gay men makes me wonder why we do not respect them enough to take their seriously.
Was it not enough that transgender activists were screaming about this movie for weeks before GLAAD took it up? Do we really have to wait until some gaystream organization like HRC or GLAAD tells us something is wrong for us to pay attention? And then, why are we so quick to dismiss the charge of transphobia made by those in our community who deal with it every day of their lives and are therefore the ones most capable of recognizing it?
The Voice has been more than eager to get Israel Luna’s take on this situation. How about we give the transgender people in our own community (who initiated the action against him in the first place) a chance to have their VOICE heard. Then, could we listen?
JW — Without endorsing or criticizing the Bantu situation, there is a MAJOR difference between him, as a singer, and the final Ticked Off Trannies, and it is this: People HEARD Bantu’s songs and his sentiments and had a basis for claiming offense. NOT ONE DAMN PERSON trying to ban Israel’s film has SEEN THE DAMN THING!!!! Well I have! And they are, to put it mildly, reactionaries who don’t know what the hell they are talking about. They wanna criticize the movie as transphobic? How about this: WATCH it first. I think it’s very good. Very trans-friendly. And this over-reaction to the title shows what narrowmindedness looks like coming from the left. It’s pathetic, it’s wrong-headed and it’s ultimately counterproductive (if the saw the film, they might thin it is GOOD for them to have it in Tribeca; if they really hate it on principal, giving it so much pre-press will only benefit the film).
When the the Mathew Shepard zombie film open ? Audiences will love seeing him executed over again wont they ? It’s only humor and people will be laughing as the bigots beat his face in again ! I’m laughing now aren’t you ?
The film uses real life victims Gwen Ajrou and Angie Zapata as examples and you know what boys , it just isn’t funny. Not to her family, not to her friends and not to the people who look up to them.
@DJ:
There is actually a story about the movie in today’s Voice that addresses some of the concerns raised. You can find it here: https://dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_12649.php
You’re correct that I was aware of Kelli Busey’s complaints about the TITLE of the film some time ago. However, as far as I knew, they specifically concerned the use of the word “tranny” or “trannies” in the title, not the content of the film. While we can’t control what filmmakers call their films, we discussed as an editorial staff the use of those words in the newspaper, and we decided to no longer use them (although some of us never had) unless they were critical to a story and appeared in a direct quotation. (An example might be a story about the controversy involving this film.) After that, I wasn’t aware until sometime early this week that Kelli was continuing to raise objections about the film. At that time, I brought it to the attention of our Life+Style department, which was working on the story for this week’s paper. Not surprisingly, some of those concerns are addressed in the story that went to press yesterday, prior to GLAAD’s press release. Then, as soon as I received the press release yesterday afternoon, I posted it on the blog.
On a broader note, regarding inclusion of the trans community in the Voice, I can point to several major things just off the top of my head. In 2002 the stories of former DV staffer David Webb, who’s commented above, led to gender identity/expression being added to Dallas’ nondiscrimination ordinance. In December 2008 I worked with Kelli Busey on stories about Dallas’ new homeless shelter that led to the shelter adding gender identity/expression to its nondiscrimination policy. Over the last few months, my stories about Dallas Area Rapid Transit have prompted DART to consider adding trans protections. Finally, look no further than today’s paper, which features a front-page story about a formerly homeless trans youth, Shawn Tripp. The story is written by a trans writer, Renee Baker, who’s a frequent contributor to the paper.
I appreciate your criticism, and we can always do better. Perhaps if everyone who claims to be so up in arms about this film would commit themselves to working toward trans equality in general, we could begin to achieve what neither press releases nor bitter infighting ever will.
How can you pull a film from a film festival??? It is artistic expression! That would be like Muslim extremists demanding the Mona Lisa be pulled from the wall because her head is not covered!!! I have viewed this film and had the opportunity to talk to the producer and hear him answer questions about the film. It does not appear and writers or producers of the field created it to offend any section of the LGBT community, especially since actual transgendered people starred in, AND assisted behind the scenes with the movie including Krystal Summers (the star of the show)! Perhaps she can explain if from her point of view in a Dallas Voice interview along with the rest of the actors/actresses, writers and producers. I’d read that!!!
Okay, let’s just admit that Luna’sl a hometown guy and he’s featuring popular local drag stars and say that’s why you like it. It really is okay for you to say that, just as it’s okay for critics to not like the film because of the word “trannies” in the title and the use of actual hate crime victims’ names in the trailer.
@Arnold & David–it’s a major concern for you to say that those against it haven’t seen it, and that simply isn’t true of every critic of this film including GLAAD.
PLEASE NOTE: The Buju Banton reference was specifically mentioned because of Daniel Cates’ reference to critics “freedom or speech/freedom of expression”, which DJ concurred was a slippery slope arguement given the fact that Daniel, DJ, and I were protesting Buju Banton’s performance in Dallas last October. The song, “Boom Boom Bye” was a revenge fantasy, too, because an incident of child rape reported in Jamaica. From that ONE 18-year old song (not his body of work), a comment heard in a YouTube video, a mix of several menacing pictures plus general fear and dread of Jamaican homophobia, Buju Banton was made a devil instantly by the LGBT community. So much so, that few voices spoke critically about GLAAD boycotting his recent Grammy nomination for an album that had no homophobic content.
Please go here for backstory on GLAAD and Banton: https://www.mandrakesocietyradio.com/2009/12/15/buju-banton-grammys-2010-glaad-protest/
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@John–clarify this comment: “Perhaps if everyone who claims to be so up in arms about this film would commit themselves to working toward trans equality in general, we could begin to achieve what neither press releases nor bitter infighting ever will.”
Are you saying that people complaining about this movie aren’t fighting for trans equality? That’s a huge assumption on your part.
JW:
My comment says, “Perhaps if EVERYONE who claims to be so up in arms about this film would commit to working toward trans equality in general, we could begin to achieve what neither press releases nor bitter infighting ever will.” Key word: EVERYONE.
JW Richard — I did not say that none of the critics had seen the film. I said that I hadn’t seen it, probably would not have gone to see it but that I will now because of all the controversy.
if it’s anything like “Ticked Off Trannies with Testicles,” I am so in! That’s my favorite porn
“Perhaps if everyone who claims to be so up in arms about this film would commit themselves to working toward trans equality in general, we could begin to achieve what neither press releases nor bitter infighting ever will.”
So now you are saying the people critical of this film aren’t already activists working for trans rights ? Please ! Find Angie Zapata’s family and and ask them if they want their dead daughters name connected to this film. She had her skull crushed with a fire extinguisher as I remember. He wanted to make sure the “thing” was dead. I dare you to watch the entire thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGLT5-JRSM0
@JW and DJ- first, as is stated in the story about this controversy, some of the stars of this film IDENTIFY as transgender- including Krystal Summers (who YES is a performer)
Second- while I DID protest Banton’s concert here in Dallas, I fail to see the connection between someone like Banton who openly spills hatred and violence toward the LGBT community and Israel Luna, a member of the LGBT community who is very friendly to the cause of human equality, making a film STARRING trans people that in no way advocates violence toward any of us. Have any of you actually met or had a conversation with Israel? If you had you would know that he is not guilty of the crime you are ready to string him up for.
Reinforcing stereotypes? Okay.. then let’s pull “Trick” off the shelves before everyone thinks all gay men are whores who want nothing more than to meet up and get off. Let’s also pull “Not Another Gay Movie” as it is also chalk full of negative stereotypes. “Jeffrey” has to go before they think we all have AIDS. The whole series of “Queer as Folk” should be out the door also.. I think it is safe to say one could find a negative LGBT stereotype in any of these films or shows and in many many more. ….did that stop us from LOVING “Queer Eye” even when all of our hetero friends started expecting us to ALL be able to redecorate their homes and give them grooming tips?
True, this film does not represent the lives of most trans people.. and true many in the trans community would like to see their community portrayed a bit more tastefully .. but the HRC and the Stonewall Dems have been painting that picture for us for years.. “let’s all just put on a suit and tie and show them how NORMAL we all are, then they will accept us for sure!” Guess what folks!? Some of us are “big nelly boys” “harley riding dykes” “screaming drag queens” “whores” and according to this film- “Ticked off Trannies” We all deserve to have our story told, and if you feel you do not identify with the women in this story.. then it must not be about YOU.
GLAAD is: Tired.
Daniel , everyone already thinks gay men are whores. Hmmmmm, I wonder why the straights think gay marriage seems disgusting to straights, oh that’s right , to them they are promiscuous whores.
Did Angie Zapata identify with this film ? I think not.