Christmas carols -- with a twist

[Shana A]

Christmas carols -- with a twist
The Lowell Sun
Updated: 12/19/2011 08:45:45 AM EST
   
http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_19577635

To the tune of "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer":

Chaz Bono got turned into a man, dear.

Dancin' with a woman on TV.

You might say there's no such thing as Santa

Till you see what Chaz got 'neath his tree.

Chastity was once a cute girl

On her parents' TV show.

Then she stunned the whole dang nation,

When she said her girl parts had to go.

Now transgenders in the Bay State

Have a law that's etched in black.

It says they can change their gender.

Then if they want, they can change it back.



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Massachusetts Newspaper Mocks Transgender Americans

http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/massachusetts-newspaper-mocks-transgender-americans

The Lowell Sun ran a series of mock Christmas carols today, including one mocking transgender Americans and referencing Massachusetts' transgender protections bill. That bill, signed into law last month, bars discrimination in the workplace and adds gender identity and expression to the commonwealth's existing hate crime laws.

The offensive piece can be viewed in full on the Sun's website. The column is set to the tune of "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" and includes the lines:

[Shana A]

Phelps' parody on Chaz Bono criticized
The Lowell Sun
Updated: 12/21/2011 06:36:06 AM EST
   
http://www.lowellsun.com/letters/ci_19591702

Editor's note: The Sun has received more than a dozen letters and comments critical of Dan Phelps' column concerning an item about Chaz Bono that was published Monday, Dec. 16. The following two letters sum up the sentiments expressed.

ALLYSON ROBINSON
Human Rights Campaign

Dan Phelps' Dec. 19 parody of transgender Americans to the tune of a Christmas song was in poor taste and highly offensive. Transgender people face very real struggles from coming to terms with their gender identity, to seeking support from family members and their communities, to discrimination in the workplace that impacts economic wellbeing.

To make Chaz Bono a target of your mockery demeans the real progress his appearance on Dancing with the Stars signified. Bono's appearance sent a message that transgender people are a part of every community and are just as capable of professional and personal success. Your column undercuts that and sends a dangerous message to those who are struggling with their own gender identity, while encouraging those who would harass and abuse them.

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Transgender parody was 'dehumanizing'
The Lowell Sun
Updated: 12/21/2011 06:37:19 AM EST
   
GUNNER SCOTT
Executive Director
Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition

http://www.lowellsun.com/editorials/ci_19591734

The references to transgender people, and in particular Chaz Bono's gender transition, in Dan Phelps' column "Christmas Carols with a Twist" was not funny. It was dehumanizing and degrading to transgender people. Transgender youth and adults are our neighbors, friends, and family members and more importantly, are human beings.

We are disappointed to see this piece in The Sun, the same newspaper that has covered stories of horrific violence and discrimination against transgender people in the Lowell community over the years. This type of "humor" contributes to a climate of intolerance to those who are different from us, in this case transgender people. Unfortunately, for some transgender youth and adults this climate of intolerance leads to violence and discrimination.