One of the things that has irked me about the renewed “debates” about women-only space is that the defenders of “womyn-born-womyn” (WBW) policies keep utilizing specious counter-examples to try to defend their position. For example, those of us who are criticizing a non-inclusive women’s space are asked: “would you critique a transgender-only space? No??? You’re a hypocrite!” Apparently those who espouse this position need a reminder of Social Justice 101. Women-only space is necessary. Women are oppressed under the patriarchy,… Read more.
Be a Trans Advocate
Tag: privilege
Tag: privilege
How To Be An Ally
September 12, 2009 · Marti Abernathey
Privilege is a nasty thing. It steals perspective, traps us in mindsets and views that make it near impossible to comprehend what a marginalized person is going through. It is, invariably, the worst obstacle facing any ally of any marginalized group. What I say here is probably applicable to any context of ally and oppressed but I'll stick with the trans angle, as it is what I know the best. Some of this might be lifted straight from my twitter… Read more.
Privileged and Pretty Equals Success
September 2, 2009 · Marti Abernathey
This morning I received an email talking about a website called "The Pink Butterfly Network". It claims to be a knockoff of Lynn Conway's Transsexual Women's Successes, pointing to transsexual women who should inspire us. I like Lynn Conway, and her Transsexual Women's Successes page has become more than just pretty faces. But this knockoff site and others like it bother me. A success to who? What qualifies as a success? Someone that is feminine? Someone that is pretty? To… Read more.
Embracing Trans Diversity is not a Luxury
July 10, 2009 · Marti Abernathey
Over the 12 years of living my life as Monica, I have been privileged to learn many things about the TBLG community, but mostly about the trans community. The biggest lesson in my short life as a woman has been the diversity of our people. Trans individuals have covered every segment of human experience since the dawn of time. We span all races, all sexual orientations, all gender identities, all gender expressions, all social and economic levels, all job experiences,… Read more.
There's been a controversy brewing over at Pam's House Blend, and the flavor of the day is privileged. It all started with the post "Jumping Into The Deep End Of The Language Pool", then "Aravosis Needs To Issue His Own Apology To Trans People Before Citing TGs Regarding Fed LGBT Issues", and continued with "Enough Already". You can read it all yourself but the bottom line is this, if you dare cite white gay male privilege, you're not welcome to… Read more.