Tag: terminology

Tag: terminology

Should LOGO pull RuPauls drag race?

May 27, 2014 ·

I suppose the headline of this article should actually read, "Will LOGO ban RuPauls drag race?" Then, all of those who truly understand the dynamics of the situation at hand could answer, "Probably not. But they most certainly should."  For some of us, the question is, "Why is it unlikely that LOGO will separate from him?" Let's face it, money and power breeds privilege. When segments within minority groups begin to gain privilege, the struggles of others might not seem very important. Those (now) privileged minorities,… Read more.

Faggot Ru Paul: trannys need to “get stronger”

May 23, 2014 ·

The faggot, RuPaul Andre Charles, claims that trans people are "bitches" who need to "get stronger" with regard to his use of tranny. In an interview on WTF with Marc Marron, RuPaul said: You know, if your idea of happiness has to do with someone else changing what they say, what they do, you are in for a fucking hard-ass road… I dance to the beat of a different drummer. I believe everybody — you can be whatever the hell you… Read more.

Transgender*: The Rhetorical Landscape of a Term

April 23, 2014 ·

The following is a peer-reviewed paper originally published in Present Tense: A Journal of Rhetoric in Society. The article was co-authored by the TransAdvocate Editor, Cristan Williams and Dr. Rawson of the College of the Holy Cross. K.J. Rawson, Cristan Williams, 2014 The current ubiquity of the word transgender might imply that it is an uncomplicated word.1 It circulates widely—in the media, in academia, and in the titles of organizations, archives, and resource centers—to the extent… Read more.

Freak Of The Week: The Tabloid Media

September 24, 2007 ·

Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it And the reaction will be passionate Give 'em the old hocus pocus …. Give 'em the old three ring circus” — Richard Gere as Billy Flynn in the song "Razzle Dazzle" from the movie “Chicago” What the hell is up with being trans? Seriously, why is it such a heinous scandal to have someone attached to anything hinting of crossdressing or transsexualism? One would think that in 2007 we’ve progressed beyond that stage, but clearly that’s not so. A couple of items jumped out at me this week prompting this rant. One was a tabloid (Star or Enquirer, can’t remember which) with a blaring headline replete with photos showing a sad looking Cher, and an alternate photo of daughter Chastity Bono in what appears to be a man’s suit. The headline was: Cher’s Heartbreak Over Chastity’s Sex Change Decision. The other item concerns photos released of Oscar DeLaHoya and trumpeted as lead story on Entertainment Tonight for multiple nights in a row, even bleeding over into the nightly six o’clock local news at one point. The photos have what appears to be the boxing champ in a fishnet bodysuit, spike-heeled pumps and even wearing a wig with a jaunty fedora in one photo. Read more.

Stylebook? What Stylebook?

August 21, 2007 ·

From the AP Stylebook: "Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics (by hormone therapy, body modification, or surgery) of the opposite sex and present themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth. If that preference is not expressed, use the pronoun consistent with the way the individuals live publicly." Now keeping that in mind when you see this image: Name: Francis Renee White Headline from WTKR Suffolk Man Charged… Read more.

Ok, Maybe I’m Just Cranky

June 16, 2007 ·

The headline from a recent Rex Wockner PrideSource  post screams "Transsexual becomes mayor of Cambridge". What would you think of this headline: "Gay becomes mayor of Cambridge"? Now, I know that "Lesbian becomes mayor of Cambridge" does work, but that's because being a lesbian denotes sex automatically. At the very least, I wish he'd have written it as Transsexual woman, or Trans-woman. It's frustrating to transition, go through all that it entails,  only to be objectified and thrown in some… Read more.

What’s In A Word? Context, Ya Fag!

June 15, 2007 ·

I know I have this obsession with words. I've never particularly liked Queerty.com because it's posts on transfolk generally border on bad taste/transphobia. The most recent edition sports this headline: When I think of the use of the word tranny, I think of the words of George Carlin: [kml_flashembed movie="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" width="430" height="346" fvars="m=598001949;type=video"/] The point being, if you are a transgender person and you say tranny, it's acceptable because the intent isn't negative or hateful. But if your not, it's… Read more.

Words Mean Things: You’ve Been Transgendered!

May 24, 2007 ·

When I hear "This is my friend _____ , she's transgendered", I cringe. It may seem innocuous, but using the word "transgendered" indicates that being transgender is something you have done to you. Imagine someone saying "this is my friend Andy, he's gayed" or "this is my best friend Betty,  she's lesbianed." Like being gay and lesbian, being transgender isn't something that you have done to you, it's part of who you are. I'm proud to be of Irish, Scot,… Read more.