Today, on Google News, the word “tranny” gets 198 hits: Entertainment Weekly, MTV and LA Weekly use it freely and without any disparaging context.
Even CNN uses it (but they’re usually talking about motor vehicles).
It appears the word “tranny” is in a state of transition itself. Or not.
The blog Planetransgender is all kinds of miffed that Dallas Voice has sometimes gone with the post-Amy Poehler usage, which made “tranny” an undeniable catchphrase.
Words evolve. Every now and then you hear some idiot still whining that the word “gay” used to have a “wholesome” meaning — before homosexual activists hijacked it.
And Wanda Sykes is trying to get people to stop staying, “That’s so gay.”
Will “tranny” become another word licensed only for bigots?
We’ll see. I’m supposed to speak with RuPaul on Wednesday. I’ll ask her what she thinks.
Thanks, Planetransgender. Let’s keep this discussion going.
I didn’t feel self-conscious about using the word “tranny” until I was at a party and almost said “hot tranny mess” in front of a transsexual guest. It hit me then that maybe this could be offensive. I try to be respectful and watch what I say but sometimes it comes out without me thinking.
I think that if Transgender people are expressing to the rest of the GLBT community that they feel the word “tranny” is offensive then fair-minded people should not use it and the city’s GLBT publication shouldn’t use it either. It seems pretty simple to me.
The same is true when Gays and Lesbians speak with straight people that say things like “he’s a gay” or “she’s a homosexual” or talking about our “lifestyle”. Usually those that say these things know no better than those GLTB folk who use the word “tranny”. It seems to me that it’s a question of education. Gay, Lesbian and Bi-sexual people should be the first to take this lesson to heart because of our similar experiences.
As a girl who has had a transexual experience I’d be fine if the word *tranny* was no longer considered fashionable to use.
Maybe something more uplifting will catch on? Try girls with more accessory options. or girls with a higher jot-to-stuff ratio???
I guess any label can be used to dehumanize or stereotype. Kate Bornstein once said, “I prefer to keep my labels on my dresses. That way if they start showing I can cut them off.”
Instant Tea’s response to the queer community request to use journalistic integrity,
1) parrot another publication so to headline an article with the word “tranny”.
2) Attempt to validate unjustifiable usage of offensive language by the number of times it was used by other publications.
3) “Post Amy catch phrase”? Validating a term you are aware is hurtful and hate enabling. No one with a moral conscious would in good conscious do that.
Attempted assimilation of the issue by attempting to take credit for instigating this conversation with “Thanks, Planetransgender. Let’s keep this discussion going”
Daniel A. Kusner the only reason you made this post is because you got heat from the Dallas Voice resulting from my article on planetransgender and the outcry from the queer and transgender community.
As Blake so boldly pointed out, “I think that if Transgender people are expressing to the rest of the GLBT community that they feel the word “tranny†is offensive then fair-minded people should not use it and the city’s GLBT publication shouldn’t use it either. It seems pretty simple to me.”
I do appreciate that you were unable to avoid this controversy and did attempt to spin control this important issue. I hope “Instant Tea” makes a effort to pull it’s self upright and speak with pride and dignity.
The Dallas Voice has explained to me it feels a journalistic obligation not to print articles out of context so the occasional quoted derogatory, racist, transphobic and homophobic phrase will appear in the proper context with clearly marked attributions.
Mr. kusner, we are a lot more aware than you give us credit for and will not standby idly by in the face of social injustice. You can take that to the bank.
Kelli Busey
https://planetransgender.blogspot.com
Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies
My next project is a movie called TICKED-OFF TRANNIES WITH KNIVES. Before finishing the script I mentioned the lead role to Krystal Summers. She loved the title. I understand if the Transgender Community would have a problem with this word, but it seems like it’s not the community…it’s individuals that have a problem. Just like certain gay men don’t mind the word “queer” and others squirm when they hear it. I’m the first person to include drag-queens, transgenders, transexuals and transvestites in all of my projects: see THE DALLAS SHERATON SHOW, All 5 of my films called FADE TO DRAG and roles in my movies THE DEADBEAT CLUB, FRIGHT FLICK and R U INVITED?
I see the word as a very empowering word…representing a strong individual that is extremely comfortable with who they are with no apologies, a word that is catchy and positive (‘hot tranny mess’ is the shiz-nit!) but mainly…it’s short for transexual.
I hope these hot, fierce trannies understand where I’m coming from cause I love them all and will continue putting them in all of my projects to show the whole world how they’re just like everyone else.
p.s. I have a talk show on iMedia called The 10% and if anyone would like to be on the show and talk about this topic I’d love to hear from you and we can discuss it. Thanks!
Israel, Daniel, and everyone there at the Voice, you guys are incredible and I hope you know that I’m not part of the hot, fierce tranny coalition. I’m just sharing my own independent thoughts and feelings here. I do appreciate the open forum created by Daniel and the Voice to talk about this.
Your definition of “Trannies†is the shiz-nits! If I felt like that’s what most people meant when they used it, I’d buy the “hot tranny mess†t-shirt too! (I may anyway, that’s kinda cute!)
Now here’s the thing about that, a few days ago a man was talking to me about a girl who is going through transition. He was angry and trashed her negatively as a “tranny†and a “transsexual freak.†He did not know that I was a transsexual girl, and I took the opportunity to inform him of that fact, and that I wasn’t feeling the love.
Later that week another acquaintance was talking to me about a friend of his who was going through transition. He was expressing his inability to deal with his friend becoming a woman. He had decided to cut “her†out of his life completely. In his mind, his guy friend no longer existed, and in his words he was unwilling to accept “her†as a “tranny†into his life at any level. I didn’t sound like he meant that in an empowering way.
And I think that is what I am sorting out here. You and some of the others here are using the term as an expression of love and affection (and I need to hear that sometimes,) while these jerks are using it in a negative way to dehumanize and distance themselves from the discomfort they are feeling.
Changing the language isn’t going to get rid of the jerks, is it?
Anyway, that’s all I’ve got, thanks for the love and support.
Luna states
“I hope these hot, fierce trannies understand where I’m coming from cause I love them all and will continue putting them in all of my projects to show the whole world how they’re just like everyone else.”
Like every cross dressing Freak with a knife Luna? That is what you are comfortable with?You are so disillusioned to believe we are so pitiful and needy as to welcome attention regardless of how criminal or hurtful it is. That is so sad.
I am the transgender individual you spoke of who told you that the title of your film was objectionable. I told you that on Sunday in Dallas as I was participating in QueerLiberaction action to draw support of the up coming “Freedom to Marry day.”
There are some among us who do not object to the “T” word. There are some of us who still can be found on the arm of a rich gay man entering a HRC Gala, as a token to be used and discarded. There where Jews who lead Nazi’s to the hideouts of other Jewish homes.
I saw that you did recognize during our conversation that as a person of faith that there is a moral basis for my objection to the title of your film. I will pray for your soul Luna. You are such a good person, a member of Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies who honestly and sincerely believes that what you are doing is for the good of our community.
Ask John Wright, News Editor of the Dallas Voice why he has in the past two years with the Dallas Voice only used the word “tranny” once in a direct quote and only then as a last option.
There is a reason for that Luna. Please do not make a movie promoting violence and retribution using transgender people as a tool for you to make money. We suffer terribly as a result of this capitalistic self promoting money grab. Life is a sacred gift. Honor us with a movie of substance that shows who we truly are.
We are not murderers. We are not freakish demons criminals screaming for revenge. We are you next door neighbors. We are your co workers, lovers, police, lawyers, mayors, doctors, homeless, human rights activists, ministers, truck drivers, tax accountants. We are people who beleive in Christianity: 2.1 billion,Islam: 1.5 billion,Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion,Hinduism: 900 million,Chinese traditional religion: 394 million,Buddhism: 376 million,primal-indigenous: 300 million,African Traditional & Diasporic: 100 million,Sikhism: 23 million,Juche: 19 million,Spiritism: 15 million,Judaism: 14 million,Baha’i: 7 million,Jainism: 4.2 million,Shinto: 4 million,
Cao Dai: 4 million,Zoroastrianism: 2.6 million,Tenrikyo: 2 million,Neo-Paganism: 1 million,Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand,Rastafarianism: 600 thousandScientology: 500 thousand.
All of us thrive in love and compassion. All of us die from “Trannies with Knifes.” Please Luna do not be a propergator misunderstanding, which in real life result in hate and murder.
As I memeber Of an Organization that fight discrimination each day and trying to gain rights for the entire LGBT community I call upon you to “Stop” the use of the word “Tranny” it is a a dirty little word that congers up images of very unattractive menb dressed as women and prancing around there living roooms. This does not repersent the Trans Community atlarge and I would expect you to act in a monor that is up lifting and not get caught up in the drama by using slang terms. I would like to ask yu to stop the use of this term and to rememebr that we each in the LGBT community must work for a common goal of equality and be uplifting of our brothers and sisters.
Sincerley
Brandi Parker
SWVA Rep Equality Va
Dear Israel,
I support your right to whatever name you wish to give your film, but please recognize that the use of the word tranny is largely degrading to the non-DRAG transgender community especially. Most of us that transition or on a path of transition are struggling severely with discrimination. By calling us tranny, you only endorse that is okay to make fun of transgender people. Sure, it is the intention that really matters, but most people can’t wrap their minds around that. They just see it as okay to use the word. Many black comedians for example use the word nigger regularly in their humor, but for heaven sakes, I would not ever use that word even with the best of intention.
Please take the high road and change your film’s name. It’s not right. It hurts. Recognize that we people of gender need healing, not more knives to cut us.
Renee Baker, Ph.D
Founder of North Texas Gender Friends
http://www.ntgf.org
The word tranny did not come from the word transsexual but the wqord transvestite. Many, if not most ,transvestites don women’s clothing as afetish or to get a thrill by over expressing themselves as females to get a laughh or to entertain as a drag queen, or making some form of a statement. That is not what most people are about.
Transpeople genuinely feel more comfortable in the opposite gender role, and many get hormones administered or have surgery to help overcome their birthgendere disphoria. Calling them Trannies is like saying to them that you’re only doing this as an expression by choice. Gee, isn’t that what many in the Str8 community say about gays and lesbians? Is that a correct assesment of what makes you homosexual? Most of you know better than that. For those of you that don’t, take a little time to learn and be a little more sensative to your “other sisters, and brothers” in the Transgendered community. We are who we are, please ddon’t insult us by calling us transvestites. That’s akin to saying that “clothes, alone, make the man.”
Hi, Kelli. Yes, I know who you are. You’re a very sweet person and you’re always camera-friendly when shooting DVTV segments. (wink)
Micki, I feel, gets where I’m coming from a bit more (thanks, Micki!).
Kelli, I’m using the word and those tranny characters in the most positive way. It’s a bit unfair that you’re judging my movie before you’ve read the script. Picture heavy guitars riffs, tight 80’s outfits, fierce make-up and beautiful bodies kicking ass. Very much like Uma Thurman in Kill Bill. Would women say, “Please don’t make Kill Bill because it makes women seem like they stand up for themselves and are violent murderers”…?
As I mentioned this past Sunday. I’m more than happy to have you and a few friends join in on the first read-through of the script with some of the actors playing the characters and go from there. Then if you hate me or my script…hey, it would be warranted. Thanks!
p.s. Micki…now I’m jealous cause I would LOVE to wear a t-shirt that says “Hot Tranny Mess.” The closest thing I have is a t-shirt that shows the silhouette of a t-rex wearing red heels and it says, “Tranny-saurus Rex.” I love it!
This is a very seventies attitude towards transgender people, where we were all considered serial killers and whatnot in the films. This is a typical transphobic representation of an entire community by a minority who claims bigotry from greater society as well.
Are they looking for greater promotion of their film by putting down a minority within the minority? What would be said of a film created by African Americans showing Jewish people in a negative light. I am sure there would be an uproar.
Why is there no uprour from te Gay and Lesbian community about this film? Why is is acceptable to put transgender people in a negative light and use terms that are considered offensive to an entire community? When will a community who claims enlightenment, become enlightened?
I have my own personal opinion about using the word “tranny” to describe transgender men and women. I don’t like it. I find it, at the very least, a distasteful word.
It is our policy in the news department at Dallas Voice not to use the term tranny unless we are directly quoting someone who did use it, or unless it is, like this, a discussion about the usage of the word.
Usage of the word in our Life+Style department is much more fluid and ever-changing, because our writers in that department often are writing about people who, themselves, prefer to be called tranny, and it is their right to make that choice.
I also want to point out that although Israel Luna has done some freelance video work for Dallas Voice, but he is not a staff member. His new film has nothing to do with Dallas Voice. So don’t try and hold the Voice responsible for his work.
Israel is my friend, and I think very highly of him and of his work. But that doesn’t mean I agree with all his decisions. In fact, he and I just recently discussed his new script and the title he had chosen for it. We disagree on that. But we are still friends. I think people should be able to disagree without hatred between them.
Some transpeople are okay with the term and others aren’t. People shouldn’t use the word if offends the group referred to in the term. I would never call a transperson a tranny; the word has a long, offensive history. Respect people’s wishes to not be called something they don’t want to be called.
https://stuffqueerpeopleneedtoknow.wordpress.com/
When straight people want to insult me, they typically use the word “faggot.” When non-transgendered, homosexual people want to insult me, the word “tranny” gets an airing. It is within the GLBT “community” that this word is most often used, and most often used offensively.
I know some non-transgendered, homosexual people don’t use it that way. But would it make it okay to them if the straight person using the word “faggot” wasn’t using it “that way?”
Even if not every transgendered person is offended when a non-transgendered person uses the word “tranny,” does that suffice to make it permissible? It’s still a no-brainer.
GLAAD Media guide
https://tinyurl.com/d9ysw
DEFAMATORY TERMINOLOGY
Transgender Glossary of Terms
media center > media reference guide > transgender focus
https://tinyurl.com/bv4jq9
Defamatory: “deceptive,” “fooling,” “pretending,” “posing,” or “masquerading”
Gender identity is an integral part of a person’s identity. Please do not characterize transgender people as “deceptive,” as “fooling” other people, or as “pretending” to be, “posing” or “masquerading” as a man or a woman. Such descriptions are extremely insulting.
TRANSGENDER TERMINOLOGY TO AVOID
Defamatory: “she-male,” “he-she,” “it,” “trannie,” “tranny,” “gender-bender”
These words only serve to dehumanize transgender people and should not be used (See Defamatory Language).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Defamatory Language
media center > media reference guide > defamatory language
From the GLAAD Media Guide
https://tinyurl.com/cdhnel
Defamatory Language
“fag,” “faggot,” “dyke,” “homo,” “sodomite,” “queen,” “she-male,” “he-she,” “it,” “tranny” and similar epithets.
The criteria for using these derogatory terms should be the same as those applied to hate words for other groups: they should not be used except in a direct quote that reveals the bias of the person quoted. So that such words are not given credibility in the media, it is preferred that reporters say, “The person used a derogatory word for a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person.”
Mr Kusner the Queer, straight, gay, Lesbian and transgender community have in the above comments attempted to enlighten you about the transgender people It appears you seem to still be confused about what words are considered hate words . Since i will be involved in constructive advocacy and am limited in time, please consult the GLAAD media guide.
A helpful guide when unsure of what constitutes hate is this, hate words are what a court of law requires a witness to verify were spoken before a crime can be considered a hate crime.
Please feel free to contact me if you require further assistance.
Kelli busey
Transgender woman of faith
kellibusey@yahoo.com
there are all ways words or phrases that offend people, and their use is used to do just that.
mr. Luna i feel, as a transwoman, that your trying capitalize on a word that will bring attention to “your” work and not our plight. why not N#^%$’s with knives, or perhaps S!^%&’s with knives or even “F@%%&*’s with knives. no i think you know that by using the “T” word you can, for now anyway, get away with this shameful attempt at cheap publicity. just the title of your film will justify the james dobsons of the world to continue with their “men in dresses” lies and curtail any advances we may have made thus far. we fight the stereotypes everyday of our lives, we don’t need the people in the community that we support to add to that pain’
mr. Luna please change the name of your film, for decency sake if nothing else
I think it all comes down to interpretation. The term “Tranny” has different meaning to different people and it’ll always be grey area. We can argue origin, we can argue implication and meaning…but ultimately it’s tone that makes the word positive or negative.
Micki wrote, “Changing the language isn’t going to get rid of the jerks, is it?”. We don’t use the “n” word openly anymore…but racism still exists.
As a female impersonator, I’m often categorized at random into one of the many “T” groups yet I don’t consider “Drag” in the performance and entertainment genre to be under the transvestite, gender, or sexual umbrella’s necessarily for me. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that you can NOT categorize everyone, and we shouldn’t attempt to. There is so much blend between each of us that it’s virtually impossible to know who’s who and who’s being targetted. So we have to look at the context of the word..of any word…
I even mentioned that the title initially took me by surprise, but when understanding the movie, the characters, the circumstances…you understand that the tone and the intent behind this particular use of the word “Tranny” embodies the characters’ very strength.
Isreal is not making a movie based on psyco serial killing transgender women nor is he referring to the characters in slander. The movie is meant to feature transgender and female impersonaters as leads roles in a remake of a grind house classic. He’s using both his GLBT interest and creative strengths to tell a story about empowered, confident, independent, and united women that are in some stage of cross dress (and that stage is not the focus of the movie). What is the focus is that a psyco serial comes for them…and fails.
Joney stated, “This is a very seventies attitude towards transgender people, where we were all considered serial killers and whatnot in the films.” Yes, Quinten Tarrantino styles all of his movies off the 70’s genre and style of gore, high action, shock value. This title is consistent with the style and theme that Isreal is presenting. They’re ticked off…they’re themselves…and they’re refusing to be victims…and like a woman of the 70’s, they’re not being PC about fighting back.
I don’t think he’s exploiting the term to generate buzz or sensationalize the circumstances being discussed…I think everyone else has done that for him. I also think that this blog was initially due in general to the use of “Tranny” in mainstream media and entertainment. I’m more of a Project Runway fan than SNL and so it wasn’t Amy Pholer…it was the person who’s character she portrayed in satire…Christian, winner of Project Runway…and flaming homosexual that used the term in all sorts of color..both on and off. Again, I don’t think any of his intentions were ever hurtful or aimed at anyone or any group in particular. Granted that doesn’t make it right. The relevence of his use in comparison to something messy or fierce is not the same though in Isreal’s instance. Where’s my grammar school teacher costume and wig…yes here it is. Christian’s use of Tranny was as an adjective, while Isreal is using the term as a noun. In the descriptive, the comparison to something negative or positive lends itself more to the argument at hand, while identifying the characters in the movies directly…as they are…does not.
The Wayans brother’s in the movie White Chicks. Black Men playing White Women…stereotyping them to be shallow, immoral, pretentious, narrow minded airheads. When all is said and done…it’s just a movie. White women weren’t any more or less affected that movie, they weren’t demoralized by being referenced as chicks. Drag queens, Transgender, Transexual or Transvestite won’t be affected by Isreal’s movie…the title is not referring to ALL trans community…rather to FOUR characters…and I actually hope we’ll all be entertained.
When I was young, my mother was incessant about me getting to my chores that I would naturally avoid. When I would finally finish them, she would sarcastically thank me for helping her out and then call me “precious”…or as it sounded with her tone and emphasis…”prec-ASS”. I hardly think that constitutes eliminating the use of such a delicate word just because her tone at that moment warranted sarcasm…nor should we eliminate ASS from our lives.
Before you take it away…think about what you’re losing.
It’s very simple, really. If you call me a tranny, and do it with real love and respect, and in the process NOT tell me that I am deluded, wrong about who I am, or of less value than others, then fine. I’ll probably inquire as to your motive, though, and I will take it from there.
If you are actively dissing me, I’ll scratch your eyes out. If you are making incorrect assumptions, you will be told so.
I know my life story, what I have been through, one hell of a lot more than ANYONE else. Period. End of discussion on that matter. Oh, yes, I am a transsexual woman. You may call me Karen.
Got it, darlin’?
I sometimes use the word, tranny, when describing myself and my community in wry, black humor affected ways but I cringe when I hear a non trans person saying it. When I see forum posts in TOPIX like this, “THAT’S IT, I HATE TRANNYS!! Are you f-c-k-n-g kidding me???? YES, I’d actually prefer ALL TRANNYS dead at this very moment! What’s my hangup??? Are you REALLY frigging serious?? I don’t know, I’m a heterosexual male that doesn’t have sex with other men and the thought of having sex with a member of the same sex both makes me ill and fills me with rage,” it brings home how dehumanizing and othering the term is, especially when used by those who hate us.
Then when I see the term associated with rage filled knife wielding maniacs – yes, that’s the mental picture I’m sure many straight people get when they read “TICKED-OFF TRANNIES WITH KNIVES” – coming from the LGBT community I have to wonder if we can ever educate the majority of our country if we still get that kind of language from those who purport to be part of our greater community. Although I’m encouraged by the general condemnation I see in this thread I hope to soon see that all people in our community and in the general population know not to use this term unless they are talking about cars.
Why isn’t it called “hot trans women with knives” or “hot transpeople with knives?”
When the Ru Paul article first appeared I left a comment that non-t gay people should not use the word “tranny” and they deleted my comment and shut off the option to leave comments. So now there are no comments.
I wonder if this comment will be deleted too?
Sorry. My mistake. There is more than one link to it, one with comments and one without. It’s all due to my annoying noobness.
I don’t know if this will matter or not but the simple story to my script is:
GIRLS perform.
GIRLS get bashed by STRAIGHT MEN.
GIRLS are left for dead.
GIRLS come back and kick their ass!
The End.
These characters will be so empowering, so strong, so amazingly-kick-ass hot and feirce!
I don’t feel that TICKED-OFF PRE-OP TRANSITIONING M2F SEXUALLY REASSIGNING WOMEN WITH KNIVES would be as appropriate.
Getting a lot of negative feed back luna? You have not seen anything yet. Transgender people refuse accept your hate movie luna. What is it you do not under stand. We are sick of being marginalized and victimized by gays. We are NOT appreciative of any CHEAP HATE inspiring movie, especially from you now that you have exposed your true nature.
WEARE NOT HERE TO BE OBJECTIFIED BY ANYONE. SO NO WE ARE NOT APPREACTIVE OF YOUR KINDNESS IN NOT CHOOSING A MORE EXPLICITLY HATEFULL TERM.
I
Why not “Ticked Off Tranny Niggers with Knives” then. Surely no one will mind, what with the movie being so empowering and all.
This comment by luna seemed unusual to me. It kept swimming in the back of mind until I realized.
Who is Luna mad at?
who would Luna want to intimidate?
who would Luna want to humiliate?
Who would Luna want to intimidate ?
WHO WOULD LUNA WANT TO OUT? lil ole me, kelli of course silly.
Is Luna as innocent and ignorant as he portends about hate words?
Outing someone or attempting to back handed is unforgivable IN the eyes of all GLBT people.
Israel Luna Says:
“I don’t feel that TICKED-OFF PRE-OP TRANSITIONING M2F SEXUALLY REASSIGNING WOMEN WITH KNIVES would be as appropriate.”
No indeed Luna. That is not Moral or appropriate.
But neither would be as I told you last Sunday at Liberaction would be your story line,
GIRLS perform.
GIRLS get bashed by STRAIGHT MEN.
GIRLS are left for dead.
GIRLS come back and kick their ass!
Transgender woman only want to live our lives in peace. Many like myself because of hormones are not physical as a man or have ever been capable of “kicking there ass”.
It’s a terrible thing when weak and vulnerable people are objectified so. It bring violence. People as your self who have no regard beat us and kill us.
Please Luna, remember I work for love. I get flashes of anger but I am not controlled by it. You may not bait me into this flame war.
It’s about human dignity. The word “Tranny” may be bantered about by some as some of my brothers of a different mother would say the N word. Yes you did pick out Ethan the radical tranny to try and gain sympathy, but so you know ,I cross posted this comment there also.
I had Ethans eaisly reconizeable “Radical Tranny”badge on my blog for the longest. I now have his current badge which did not incorperate “Radical Tranny”. I am proud to be a sister of Ethans. Want to do a story about a proud rightious transgender man, there you go.
I hope you realize that this word is not “permissible” to use to objectify, marginalize and commercialize as the other words in the GLAAD list of defamatory words are not.
Kelli Busey
Transgender Woman
Planetransgender
This is what? Another B grade film that the vast majority of people outside the LGB community are never going to hear about, much less watch? Whatever.
As for the word “tranny,” I sometimes use it when poking a little fun at myself, which is often. But like the “N” word, those around me realize it’s not something to be used as a term of endearment.
Back to the LGB thing. I don’t include T, because we T’s have been and always will be on our own. The LGB community has pretty much done nothing but use us and throw us under the bus. TBH, even though I am both L and T, I think it best that we T’s finally give LGB the ol’ heave-ho and stand up on our own. What the hell has the gay community at large really ever done for us but use us? And yeah, I think this new “film” is a perfect example of that.
All of my man trans friends use and embrace the word tranny – they are all young queer activists in San Francisco. I think becuase the word is being reclaimed it has differentimpact on different folks. To ban it would be to ban my friends identities.
Ladies, ladies…who said I’m mad? I’m trying to keep it light by throwing out alternate titles since all of you keep asking me to change it. I haven’t heard one catchier than mine, though.
GlindaG mentions “Ticked-Off Niggers with Knives.” Well, if a black man were to write/direct it and call it “Ticked-Off Niggas With Knives” I’d SO watch it. If I decided to write it about a gay man being bashed and coming back for revenge I’d call it “Angry Faggots With Knives.” But I love trannies. I always have, always will. I have this adoration for them and try and incorporate them into all of my projects so they can be represented.
Kelli McMillan is going to make this difficult by excluding herself. She said she doesn’t even add T to LGB. Why not? It’s LGBT because you’re INcluded. You’re your own worse enemy.
I’ve spoken with numerous “fierce trannies,” drag queens, transexuals, transgenders and transvestities. They’re all perfectly cool with the title so that makes me feel better. You’re all entitled to your opinion and it’s respected, however you don’t represent the entire trannie community.
Much love, Israel.
“Kelli McMillan is going to make this difficult by excluding herself. She said she doesn’t even add T to LGB. Why not? It’s LGBT because you’re INcluded. You’re your own worse enemy.”
Oh am I? Then please do tell me why it is that every time legislation has come up, such as ENDA, we were sacrificed in order to save the gay community’s butt, then told “we’ll come back for you later…”
How many non-transgender gay people attended Transgender Day Of Remembrance services this year? Not many in my town, I can tell you that.
I’m my own worse enemy? I don’t think so. I’m fighting for my own rights and not depending on the gay community to do it for me. If I held my breath waiting for LGB to really do something worthwhile for T, I guarantee I’d be screwed blue and dead too, in short order.
Tomorrow I go to Albany to lobby for marriage equality here in NY. Am I doing it for the rest of the gay community? Hell no, I’m doing it for ME, cuz no one else in this world is going to do it for me.
I also lobby for GENDA, a bill to give us T’s the same protection you LGB’s got when you tossed us out of ENDA. Are you helping us with that? Doubtful, because you GOT the coverage and protection you needed, so why should you care about us?
I fight for insurance coverage we T’s need to complete our transitions. Where are you in the gay community? You helping us with that? Ha! Hell no. Like always, we’re on our own. You guys got what you wanted so to hell with us, right?
re: Kelli McMillan
You know, I have been wondering lately why transgender people are lumped in with LGB people. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual are all sexual orientation labels and transgender is a gender identity label. They are two completely different things! I’m not sure why they are spoken in the same breath as if they are comparable. As marginalized people we should all support and love each other, of course, but they really aren’t the same thing at all… apples and oranges!
A transgender person can be homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, asexual, or pansexual! (Yes, I am saying that a transgender woman who dates men is straight. It’s absolutely true. Gender is in your brain, not your genitals!)
I think lumping transpeople in as part of sexual orientation is part of the problem! Gender identity and sexual orientation are VERY different issues!
I consider myself a transgender ally because I am disgusted by the way transgender people are discriminated against. Gender identity is a psychological thing, not a genetic thing, and so all people should be able to be the gender they truly are inside. I will do everything I can to educate people about these issues. I really can’t wrap my brain around how people can hate someone just because their chromosomes and their identity don’t line up!
“I think lumping transpeople in as part of sexual orientation is part of the problem! Gender identity and sexual orientation are VERY different issues!
I consider myself a transgender ally because I am disgusted by the way transgender people are discriminated against. Gender identity is a psychological thing, not a genetic thing, and so all people should be able to be the gender they truly are inside. I will do everything I can to educate people about these issues. I really can’t wrap my brain around how people can hate someone just because their chromosomes and their identity don’t line up!”
Thank you Elizabeth. You obviously completely get it and you hit the nail on the head here. Thank you for your support.
From the GLAAD Media Guide
https://tinyurl.com/cdhnel
Defamatory Language
“fag,†“faggot,†“dyke,†“homo,†“sodomite,†“queen,†“she-male,†“he-she,†“it,†“tranny†and similar epithets.
Israel Luna Says:
February 1st, 2009 at 11:47 am
I don’t know if this will matter or not but the simple story to my script is:
GIRLS perform.
GIRLS get bashed by STRAIGHT MEN.
GIRLS are left for dead.
GIRLS come back and kick their ass!
The End.
These characters will be so empowering, so strong, so amazingly-kick-ass hot and feirce!
I don’t feel that TICKED-OFF PRE-OP TRANSITIONING M2F SEXUALLY REASSIGNING WOMEN WITH KNIVES would be as appropriate.
Here’s a scenario for you. Two kid’s on a play ground, a big mean bully and the little kid everybody picks on. The kid hands the bully a rock and says “Please don’t throw this rock at me, it might hurt.†Now, what do you think the bully is going to do?
A. Set the rock down and promise never to throw the rock and the kid?
Or
B. Haul of and throw the rock at the kid as hard as he can.
The point is the only words that are hurtfully or offensive are the ones we allow to be. If we choose to allow the word “tranny†become such a word, we present the hate mongers one more demeaning word to add to their limited vocabulary. They already have more than enough ammunition; I see no need for us to add one more to their arsenal.
Whether or not I agree with Mr. Luna’s choice of a title for his movie is irrelevant. I believe, the more important issue here, is his freedom of self expression. Since we in the transgender community are the living epitome of self expression, should we not be the strongest defenders of someone’s right to express themselves, even when it might seem offensive? To do anything less, in my opinion, is pure hypocrisy.
I am sorry but there seems to be a double standard here. I have read the previous post and it concerns me to see the amount of hate and intolerance that is directed at Mr. Luna, the very thing that we in the transgender community should be opposed to.
I wish Mr. Luna the best with his endeavor and will wait to see the final outcome before rendering my judgment. But, regardless of whether I find the film offensive or not I will defend Mr. Luna’s and anyone else’s right to express their views and opinions in any medium they may choose.
I am sure there will be those who disagree and they are certainly free to do so. As for the word ‘Tranny†I have no problem with it. I had much rather be called a tranny than a hypocrite.
I’m thinking that I prefer *trannie* for myself, and maybe *tranny* for the men Mark?
The playfulness that it’s opened up with all my friends is a whole lot more fun than sitting around all grouchy and offended. I think they feel a lot more free around me to take more risks in showing affection when we talk about it and they realize I’m not going to be all uptight.
My teenage daughter and her friends were all giggling with me when we were talking about it and they think it’s ultra-cute, cutting edge chic, and tell me thay all wanna be *trannies* when they grow up too. (now they’re all sending each other she-mails!)
They all wanna see the movie too! They all totally *get it* on the movie title and certainly aren’t confusing that with any negative transphobia stuff.
I’m going with RuPaul, Daniel, Israel, Krystal, Mark, his friends in SF, and some others that I admire, on this one.
I like the way it feels to own the word *trannie*! and I didn’t realize how much good stuff I was missing.
look all i hear you saying to treat us like women. if you want us to treat you like women then why dont you look like one hell i make a prettier women then some of you. mind you that this does not apply to all. i do have amny trans freinds and i respect it and i do stand up for them. but im tierd of hearing them bitch and complan about small things really is his tittle that bad. in your world you would id think do away with drag queens because its unde minding the cause or so on. if you want repect one you should show it two you should try to look the part your playing aka women.
Re: jaydallas
Oh. My. God. You have got to be kidding me. I’m not transgender but I am INCREDIBLY offended by your comment.
You said, “if you want us to treat you like women then why dont you look like one hell i make a prettier women then some of you.”
Are you out of your mind? First of all, not all biological women are beautiful or feminine. (Look at Anne Coulter!) As a woman I am incredibly insulted by your anti-feminist remarks. Women are not butterflies put on the planet to amuse or delight you with our looks. Just because a person does not look “like a woman” (whatever that means!) does not mean she isn’t one. Don’t you dare shove women into your little 1950s misogynistic box! Shallow gender stereotypes and cruel expectations of appearance are the root of a lot of the problems in our society! They only lead to limitations and self loathing! A butchie, mulleted, flannel wearing bull dyke is just as much a woman as a prissy high femme barbie with long red fingernails.
Second of all, not everyone has the money or resources (or desire) to undergo expensive gender reassignment surgeries! Surgeries can be cost prohibitive, dangerous, and painful. A transperson should not have to object his or herself to these things just to gain the acceptance of petty, shallow people.
I don’t know if you are being serious with your comments or if for some sick twisted reason you find yourself amusing but I assure you it is NOT amusing. It is just hurtful, ignorant and cruel.
first off let set one thing strat i never said they had to cut off their parts another thing your right about the the bull dyke can be in her own way hot. has far has mean hell slap on a fountain. comb the ratty hair there 10 time better then before
Israel Luna said, “GlindaG mentions ‘Ticked-Off Niggers with Knives.’ Well, if a black man were to write/direct it and call it ‘Ticked-Off Niggas With Knives’ I’d SO watch it. If I decided to write it about a gay man being bashed and coming back for revenge I’d call it ‘Angry Faggots With Knives.'”
What I think I just heard you say, Israel, is that you feel entitled to use the words” Trannies” and “Faggots,” but not “Niggas.” Why is that? Is it because you are not a black person? But I was under the impression that you are not a transgendered person either. If not, then I don’t think that you are entitled to use the word “tranny.” Just like I don’t get to use the word “faggot.”
So call it “Angry Faggots with Knives.” Go exploit your own people. Leave the exploitation of “trannies” to other “trannies.”
We are a spiritual rainbow butterfly crossing the border……..
https://radnichole.wordpress.com/2009/02/03/crossing-the-border-coming-home-to-ones-self/
come home to yourself
Responding to Hatefull Bigots is a unfortunate requirement of transgender educational advocacy but I am up to the task . However I will protest anyone who debates my dignity or attempts to lure me into the pits of hate and despair.
On planetransgender
“Understanding “Faggot” and “Tranny” are Hate Words”
“Mutual respect begins with self respect or lack of therein is why many transgender people hate and distrust gay people. (ref to the transgender people’s comments on Instant Tea)”
please join me at https://planetransgender.blogspot.com/2009/02/understanding-faggot-and-tranny-are.html for a historic review.
What anest way to get me here, Kelli! 🙂 In all of my reading here I get the feeling that a lot of us have issues with one another. Call it gay-ignorance of Ts and T-ignorance of gays. And there seem a lot of good reasons behind that.
As a woman who was much-exposed and in the gay community I easily recall the sorta pedestal/ditch attitude of a lot of gay males in the bar-scene for Ts of any kind. I mean, ya love the drag shows, but then trash the drag queens when they’re not on-stage. NO? If not then things have changed a lot in the past 10-15 years.
Glinda makes the best point yet, Israel. Why would you exempt a white, gay male from using ‘nigga’ in the title of his movie? I mean, the word is soo liberating and all and I bet you just love ‘niggas’ doncha?
You wanna call me a tranny? Have at it. But please don’t be so disingenuous as to justify it with ‘love.’ I prefer ‘woman’ even over ‘lesbian’ because of all the labels in my life woman sorta best covers the fact of who I am and how my life’s been lived. Prolly human being does an even better job of that though. I mean, don’t we really just want to include others instead of excluding them? If so then we make our categories larger, not smaller.
I get your point about your title: “Angry Nigga Bitches With AKs” prolly wouldn’t get you the sorta publicity you really want for the film, for instance. And there’s a whole lot less cost when you go with “trannies” right?
OK, that’s fair enough, just admit the reasoning without the window-dressing. You want people to watch your movie, right? Just like Christian wanted to develop himself a catchy recognition phrase without catching too much hell for it. Besides, I’m sure he thought it was a cute way to plug into the sort of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” cachet and wink at his gay male audience. Marketing is a pretty simple business, fairly easy to understand. I don;’t believe you’d really astound anyone by just saying it out-loud.
I think what’s being missed here is that the Ts who are in this thread are mostly not part of the LG scene. They seldom go to gay or lesbian bars, revues, etc, & I’d bet haven’t been to ‘trannie’ bars either, and prolly have very few gay friends of any type and prolly haven’t been accustomed to that sort of “out” scene.
In the same regard most of the gay males who’ve commented haven’t been exposed a lot to Ts who grew up outside the scene. So, we have a lot of ignorance posing as radical liberation movement on both sides.
My suggestion? Don’t toss all the babies when you rid yourself of the bathwater. Take some time to get to know people you aren’t currently involved with before you decide all this equals that.
Personally, I disagree with Kelli Mc. I’d rather see Ts stay with the LTBG. Numbers matter and I’d rather see the LTBG actually make coalitions with str8 groups as well. The more the stronger politcally we grow. Plus, that gives us the added advantage of actually getting to learn something about each other rather than always talking from ignorance and prejudice.
OK, this woman’s taken more time than she should have. Good luck, Dallas folks.
Since freedom of expression is being placed at the forefront here, I volunteer to do a knife number on Luna in the same spirit as he chose to portray in the movie. I think he could legitimately talk about trans women with knives after actually experiencing me with a knife.
After all, if he is claiming to be the voice of experience, why not give him some?
Dallas Vice and its Blog Instant Tea used the word “Tranny” by google search over 100,000 times and each usage was in ways that marginalizes ,denigrates and objectifies transgender people.
planetransgender’s first paragraph in “Demand Dallas Voice stops using “Tranny” https://tinyurl.com/c46fg3 clarifies the issue at contention is a request that the usage of “Tranny” be refined by correct attribution. The Dallas Voice’s Instant Tea author degraded the conversation by making it one dimensional hoping to sensationalize planetransgender’s blog post in order to monetizes and capitalize, as we do when we post on this blog. Mission accomplished on that account” Instant Tea”.
A blog tittle often makes a statement, but used out of context as I am guilty of occasionally also, misrepresents the intent of the author.
I fully support our ally the ACLU as there press release regarding our outrage over Utah Chris Buttars latest Anti transgender and Gay tirade,
Found on “The Raw Buttarse” blog
https://tinyurl.com/as8cyy
The ACLU of Utah today issued a press release regarding the comments made by Chris Buttars.
“…While we disagree vehemently with Senator Buttars’ views, we strongly support the Constitution’s free speech protections. Free speech rights are indivisible….The ACLU protects freedom of speech, even that with which many of its supporters disagree.
“Having heard Senator Buttars’ recent comments, the public can decide if these comments are representative of its views and take appropriate action with regards to Senator Buttars’ position as a public, elected official. They also can and should exercise their own Constitutionally-protected freedoms to respond as they deem appropriate.â€
Freedom of speech is essential for a democracy. The abuse of that freedom must be confronted.
kelli Busey
author
planetransgender
Kelli…
Early on you were quoted as saying, “Like every cross dressing Freak with a knife Luna? That is what you are comfortable with? We are not murderers. We are not freakish demons criminals screaming for revenge.”
Did you just read the quote given by Lyssa? She said, “I volunteer to do a knife number on Luna in the same spirit as he chose to portray in the movie.”
Damn. I guess my characters’ movites in the movie aren’t so unbelievable and ridiculous. A trans-woman CAN be driven to wanna carry a knife and cut someone when pushed…which is exactly what my movie is about. Thanks, Lyssa.
israel
Mr. Luna, I am truly hoping that the lack of respect and and dignity you show toward those of us in the trans community are due to a lack of understanding on your part, or perhaps because of a skewed perspective gained from only getting to know a very small non-representative portion of the community. Because I really can’t imagine anyone who loves and respects transsexual people, as you claim to, behaving with the cavalier, “I’ll say what I like so just live with it sweetie (wink)” attitude you seem to have.
Ignorant treatment from others, although painful, is understandable because we trans women are easy targets. We’re already marginalized and denigrated by nearly everyone else in society to the point where we have practically no social, political, or economic power at all. So what does anyone stand to lose by kicking us a little more, we’re good for it… and what are we going to do about it after all, cry and wish for a better world?
You said “Damn. I guess my characters’ movites in the movie aren’t so unbelievable and ridiculous. A trans-woman CAN be driven to wanna carry a knife and cut someone when pushed…which is exactly what my movie is about. Thanks, Lyssa.” – Is that really what this is all about? Validating your behavior by trying to push us to the point that we want to hurt you? You might want to re-examine your real feelings toward trans women because in my experience this is not how someone who wants to be empowering and supportive behaves. Personally I would describe this kind of behavior as preying on and exploiting the weak and vulnerable.
Can you, in all good concience, genuinely say that you don’t believe the title and subject of your film is not offensive and demeaning to the majority of transsexual women?
Can you, in all good concience, genuinely say that you don’t believe a film entitled “Faggots with Flamethrowers” would not be offensive and demeaning to the majority of men in the gay community?
Whatever answers you may have to these questions the real issue at stake here is the matter of mutual respect and dignity any community owes to ALL it’s members. As a member of the LGBT community and as a transsexual woman I find your behavior and complete lack of remorse for it to be repulsive and inexcusable. Your justification of your film and its title by tossing it back at us and asking us to come up with a better idea is ludicrous in the extreme, especially coming from someone who is ostensibly a member the same extended community.
If this truly is representative of the kind of love and support we in the Trans community can expect from our LGB brothers, sisters, and partners, for whom we stand up and fight every day then I really do want to cry and wish for a better world. But you’re not getting getting off that easily… I, and many others will also stand up and fight for it.
Please Israel, give a little thought to your own motivations. If you truly love us then treat us with the same respect and consideration you would expect yourself. Please don’t marginalize us, demean us, and pander to the straight public by putting us in a box just to make buck.
Gwenyth Lucero
Unemployed IT Professional
I’m a strong Black WOMAN with a Transsexual past (who remembers her roots, Black, Trans and otherwise), but I don’t run around tagging myself as a “ni**ger even within a black community, nor do I tolerate the word Tr**nny in reference to me within a Trans community. A lot of TS/TG Women take offense to that word and being called “drag queen” because it demeans and mocks their authentic identity in public. It’s awesome that we are able to deeply respect ourselves and really know who were are individually… but it is largely about educating a public held captive with a long held fit of ignorance.
I knew an uneducated gay man who was friends with one of my female room mates. I had just started transitioning sexes (male-to-female) and was heading out to work one day presenting as my rightful gender. He blocked my way standing in the door, refusing to move with my supposedly supportive room mate giggling in a corner. He said “wait a minute, where are you going? are you a drag queen? perform for me, you’re supposed to be performing (????). Needless to say (and I sadly regret doing so) I kicked him squarely in his crotch / family jewels and said; “No, I am a woman, please respect who I am, now I need to go to work, thank you…” In light of this, it should be noted that if a Trans woman or Trans man stands up for her or his rights to their correct identity expression, they are berated and beaten down as if they had committed a crime.
Drag queens such as Ru Paul, should not take try to represent a portion of the Trans Family without consultation, just as Trans gender and Transsexual women should not think that they are automatically privileged to speak for drag queens or anyone else about what they should unquestioningly accept as a public label, especially if it is meant to belittle.
What happens when that self-confident Trans Woman is constantly called Mr drag queen or “tr**nny* on the job while trying to make a living as the woman she is, physically transitioning to appear as the woman she feels she should be.
It’s about Trans People loving and respecting themselves, their true identities, and those of others unconditionally, while teaching an abusive society to do the same.