The Jenna Talackova Case: Will It Advance Rights of Transgender People in Canada

[Shana A]

The Jenna Talackova Case: Will It Advance Rights of Transgender People in Canada?

April 8, 2012. 7:20 pm • Section: Trans Talk
Posted by: Jillian Page

http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2012/04/08/the-jenna-talackova-case-will-it-advance-transgender-rights-in-canada/

In its reporting of the Jenna Talackova-Miss Universe story, the media consistently — and incorrectly, in my opinion — referred to Jenna as a transgender person. I've said it before, and will repeat it again: Jenna is a female, as am I and other women who have had sexual reassignment surgery. My birth certificate, driver's licence etc. say "Female." There is no asterisk beside that designation, no mention of the word Transgender.

However, there are many, many transgender people in this country whose birth certificates say Male, but they present as females. And vice versa in the case of FtMs. You could say they live between official gender designations, and they face far more discrimination than people who have fully transitioned — switched sides — within the binary gender system.

So, while Jenna made some advancements on behalf of women who have transitioned, will her case help transgender people, too?

[Jamie D]

I think she helps bring attention to the issue.  She is, arguably, the most famous transperson in the world right now.
It's too bad the notoriety wasn't for winning the Pulitzer Prize, or a MacArthur Foundation grant, or making an important medical discovery, instead of a squabble over a beauty contest.

Still, advances are made one step at a time.  Thank you, Jenna.

[justmeinoz]

On balance I would say she has helped.  She has continually stressed she is a woman, with dignity, which is more than one can say for her detractors.