'->-bleeped-<-' Is Not Acceptable

[Natasha]

'->-bleeped-<-' Is Not Acceptable

http://www.bilerico.com/2011/06/->-bleeped-<-_is_not_acceptable.php
6/23/11
Jillian T. Weiss

Monica Helms decided to put together a similar PSA referring to the use of derogatory terms about trans people. It doesn't have celebrities, and it's not glitzy, but it makes an important point.

As in the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, the actors tell you what words not to use, one of which is "->-bleeped-<-." I know people who don't think the word is derogatory, and I've even heard some trans people say that, but I don't like it, myself. What do you think?

[Silas]

Depends on how it's used, I think.
I had to go to the principal because some kid was picking on me, and he gave his reason for picking on me as, "Because [he's] a ->-bleeped-<-."

Clearly he was using it as an insult. But I have heard people describe themselves as "->-bleeped-<-boys/girls/etc" and they tend not to be insulting themselves. It's a blurry line. I guess it's something of "T word privileges." XD

[Princess of Hearts]

The only term I don't like is 'crossdresser', this word is so bland, matter-of-fact, humdrum, and wishy-washy.  I much prefer 'transvestite'.  However,  the general public does have difficulty distinguishing between transvestite, transgender, and transsexual.  To the public we are all trannies, even drag-queens.   
These days people seem to believe that you can legislate against anything and everything disagreeable.    The way to end something is not to legislate against it, but to withdraw attention from it.   There are many people who upon being told that the word '->-bleeped-<-' is now unacceptable will secretively and actively resist being told what words they can and cannot use.   They will take a perverse delight in using the word '->-bleeped-<-' to (1) show that they won't be told what words to use and what words not to use. (2) They will also start using '->-bleeped-<-' to deliberately upset fussy, over-correct bourgeois sensibilities.  Taoist philosophy says that the more attention you give something(good or bad) the more it grows.  So the more you withdraw attention from things the quicker they will shrivel and die.

[Padma]

This one keeps coming round! I think (at the moment I think) that it's like a lot of names/labels: if someone wants to call themselves ->-bleeped-<-, it's their privilege - but it's always a gamble calling someone else that, even if you're not using it as an insult, because they may have experienced it used as an insult in the past, and not be able to experience it in any other way than that as a consequence. So it's just safer to choose a less loaded label, or simply to ask what someone wants to be called.

[V M]

I don't care for the term, I put it in the same little box with the other bigoted terms 

[cynthialee]

I think language Nazi's are out of control.

No one has any right to tell me what is acceptable or not when it comes to my speach. (provided I am not verbaly assaulting someone or divulging national secrets)

If a word hurts your feelings....do some inner seaching and figure out what it is whitin that finds the need to be hurt by one simple word. No word is bad on it's own merrit. It is only in the ussage of said word that harm can come about.

If I use the word ->-bleeped-<- in conversation and you don't like it....tough. Thats on you. I am not a negative person and I don't visit missery on others. I may on occasion use that term as I see fit and I will not stand to be policed on my vocabulary.
Trans folks I know IRL localy are pretty loose with the term. But then maybe we should start a movement because anouther group of people in anouther state have issues with what words we use?

[kate durcal]

What image does the "->-bleeped-<-" word evokes on you?

To me it evokes the image of a poorly dress badly behaving TG/TS.

It is use to ridicule, offense, and discriminate. Its use should be punishable by law.

Kate D

[JulieC.]

Wow, lots of different takes on this.  I don't have a problem with the word at all.  Like any word it depends on how it is used.  It doesn't have to be a hateful word.  I totally agree with the princess of hearts about one thing, if you give a lot of attention to it then it will become a more powerful word.  And it  will only be used in a hateful way.  It will give hateful ignorant people that aren't smart enough to come up with a word of their own to hurt you an easy word to use.  Maybe those people already use it in that way.  Personally, they can hurl that word at me all they want and it doesn't bother me in the least.

[cynthialee]

What image does the "->-bleeped-<-" word evokes on you?

To me it evokes the image of a poorly dress badly behaving TG/TS.

It is use to ridicule, offense, and discriminate. Its use should be punishable by law.
Kate D

So now we should jail people who hurl insults?
The juvinile detention facilities are going to be over crowded in a few days....

[Nathan.]

To me the word ->-bleeped-<- is fine for trans people to call themselves or another trans person who is fine with the word, other then that it's a slur and shouldn't be used to describe trans people who don't like the word or find it triggering.

Don't think it should be illegal though, that's ridiculous.

[kate durcal]

So now we should jail people who hurl insults?
The juvinile detention facilities are going to be over crowded in a few days....

insulting is verbal abuse. try to call an African American Policeman a N---- and you will see just how fast your insult lands your CA in in jail

[kate durcal]

you are not alone; but sunflowers are worth their weight in gold

oo

kate d

[Shana A]

When I came to my realization of being trans, I met a person who helped me out quite a bit, and was my trans "mother" so to speak. She often used "->-bleeped-<-" to describe herself and others, sometimes in a self deprecating manner. I have no problem with the word used within the community, however, due to many peoples' discomfort with the word, I wouldn't presume to misidentify anyone else as such.

Z

[cynthialee]

Calling a police officer a derogatory name is far differant than calling a comon citizen a derogatory name.
False equivilancy.

[JessicaR]

Everyone is obviously entitled to their opinions but I just don't see why anyone would insist on using a term that so many find offensive. It's
like f****t or n****r.

I've heard it used in conversation among transgender folks, referring to themselves; if they want to keep calling themselves names, that's fine..

But I would have words with anyone who used that term to describe me.

[Nicole99]

Personally I don't mind it, I use it to refer to myself, kind of similar how some black people call each other ->-bleeped-<- in that I see it as an 'in' word. But I am aware that some people find it offensive so I don't use it willy nilly.

I love the word ->-bleeped-<-, but it is considered one of the most offensive words you can use to a lot of people in my country,

[Padma]

Also, this stuff is insidious - I find if I get used to using an ambiguous word in a "safe" context, it can then more easily slip out in the wrong context and upset or offend. I spent 3 years sharing a house with some people from Southend (for whom the "c" word is used the same way we might say "mate" ), and then the first time I visited the local Buddhist centre, I used the word unthinkingly in a chat with someone at tea break - and the whole room went quiet. That's when I realised context is everything!

[Taka]

no matter what terms you use to describe yourself, the ignorant will still be ignorant. and any word can be used as an insult

i'd personally rather use "derogatory" words about myself than be offended every time an ignorant person says the wrong word, or let idiots insult me as they like

[kate durcal]

Calling a police officer a derogatory name is far differant than calling a common citizen a derogatory name.
False equivilancy.

Dear Cynthia,

(you mean equivalency, right?)

Well, where I live if you insult a "common or uncommon" citizen in a public place you could be charge it with harassment, and depending on the insults you uses, ethnic intimidation, etc.

I believe in courtesy and respect for everybody. I do not like to hear foul and vulgar language coming from anybody.  it is usually associated with "street walkers" and "convicts." Beside if you cannot make your point without resourcing to "insults" then you obviously lost your argument.

Kate D

[V M]

I'm writing a new book called terms of enqueerment 

Sorry... Bad humor

*Goes to sit in corner*