Trans in the gay community - What some people really think

[Shana A]

Trans in the gay community - What some people really think
Mama Catastrophe

http://www.samesame.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=26591

With the controversy surrounding the Libra ad and comments Rupaul made about trans folks, Mama as taken it upon herself to do a little research to find out what gay folks truly think about the issue and has been asking around what folks think. Now ya'll can take this any way ya want but Mamas a firm believer in that the only way to come to some sort of resolution to this debate is that both sides arguments have to be heard and acknowledged. So here's a few of the opinions out there

[...]

USE OF THE WORD ->-bleeped-<-
The problem here seems to be a couple of things:
1. Some think it's an abbreviation of ->-bleeped-<- and only use it to describe drags and ->-bleeped-<-s, so believe its ok
2. Some think it's an abbreviation of transgender but think its ok because they have trans friends who use the word, refer to themselves using the word and don't mind others referring to them by the word
3. Some just think it's a blanket term for anyone who dresses as the opposite sex

[spacial]

I suggest this whole issue, along with a huge number of other examples of increasing fragmentation could be largely resolved if we stop worrying about which titles and terms each of us prefer and simply claim the absolute right to self expression. In all its guises.

Granted, someone who has transisioned, so successfully they post a post op statement on Susans', such as, 'I'm not trans anything any more. Goodbye', might find some discomfort being associated with a drag queen, who puts on a show featuring an over the top ->-bleeped-<-.

I accept and even understand that some gay people are still too insecure with their sexuality that they are uncomfortable being associated with someone who has problems with their gender.

But if we can accept that each of us is and should express ourselves as we feel most comfortable, rather than having to conform to an established norm, then we become all inclusive. So called straight people, living a married with  2.4 children lifestyle in a down town semi, are expressing themselves as much as the drag queen show girl.

The claim is for absolute self expression.

[Bishounen]

I suggest this whole issue, along with a huge number of other examples of increasing fragmentation could be largely resolved if we stop worrying about which titles and terms each of us prefer and simply claim the absolute right to self expression. In all its guises.

Granted, someone who has transisioned, so successfully they post a post op statement on Susans', such as, 'I'm not trans anything any more. Goodbye', might find some discomfort being associated with a drag queen, who puts on a show featuring an over the top ->-bleeped-<-.

I accept and even understand that some gay people are still too insecure with their sexuality that they are uncomfortable being associated with someone who has problems with their gender.

But if we can accept that each of us is and should express ourselves as we feel most comfortable, rather than having to conform to an established norm, then we become all inclusive. So called straight people, living a married with  2.4 children lifestyle in a down town semi, are expressing themselves as much as the drag queen show girl.

The claim is for absolute self expression.

Correct. There are both Mods and members here on Susan's that believe in "reclaiming" the word "->-bleeped-<-", just like the word "Queer", and some of those even proudly refer to themselves as "->-bleeped-<-s".

Heh.. Speaking of it, I just used the very word "->-bleeped-<-s" in my previous post.

[J R D]

I don't care if they wish to "reclaim" the word for themselves, but its downright rude to refer to all of us as such. I hate the term and don't wish to be called that by anyone, whether they are trans, gay, lesbian, straight, purple or pie-faced.

[spacial]

I understand the sentiments of Bishounen and Jamie, but my own position is that I don't need a label, I don't need identifying. I expect the absolute right to express myself as I choose and to whatever extent I choose, without fear of being molested, attacked, criticised, discriminated against, because of that.

In short, I expect what Martin Luther King demanded, that I be judged on the content of my character.

My private life is not public property