I just don't want to be an offensive douche....

[Lara the Lover and the Fighter]

So, I've been working really hard on my new webcomic.  Its called One Body Per Lifetime: A genderless webcomic.  It is kind of a diary comic but I plan to have a bunch of crazy stuff going on it.

Now, I'm kind of a spaz sometimes.  For example, I once thought that the word "->-bleeped-<-" was a cool word to use!  Yeah its short for Transsexual or Transgender!  Boy was I wrong.....

So in the comic, the main protagonist is me.  Going through life, hating being a guy.  Now this usually ends with me transforming into a hulking beast that I plan to call "Dr. Testosterone".

First of all, are there any other pitfalls I should look out for?  I definitely won't being using the word ->-bleeped-<- unless its supposed to be offensive and will probably be directed at me.

Second I plan to put other people stories and plan to get them published in a hard cover book when I finish enough pages.  I want your stories!  I'll draw you (if you want) and I can through your name in there (or not, its up to you).  Funny, sad, crazy, I want it all!  I'll show you the finished work before I publish anything online or in print.

You all have never let me down before so I expect great things!  Thank you.

[JillSter]

Bookmarked. Can't wait to see more!

Good luck with it!

[Seras]

Too sad.
Anyway, I dunno. I do not get offended by words, but the intent behind them, so whatever.

Guess you better tread on egg shells though if you wanna publish one day.


PS Some people say the word "spaz" is offensive too, at least in the UK.

[Lara the Lover and the Fighter]

Bookmarked. Can't wait to see more!

Good luck with it!

Thank you so much!!

Too sad.
Anyway, I dunno. I do not get offended by words, but the intent behind them, so whatever.

Guess you better tread on egg shells though if you wanna publish one day.


PS Some people say the word "spaz" is offensive too, at least in the UK.

HAH Spaz is offensive too!?  darn. 

Don't worry, the story ends up happy. Very happy!   

[=celestica=]

some people get all triggery with that word even if there's no harmful intent.
but i'm trans as well and it doesn't bother me at all, fun word to use so i'm gonna keep saying it.
you're not obligated to care what a couple of sensitive people have to say so keep doing what you want to do.

[Gabrielle]

Good luck, Lara.

[Ms Grace]

It's possibly a bit like the n word for African American people. It is a horrific slur which was co-opted by some parts of that community as a form of empowerment - others in that community are less than happy about that and some have even tried to convince the others to stop using it. As variously as it's use might be tolerated within the black community it's off limits to everyone else (or it should be). The same applies to tr###y, I personally don't have a problem with it being used within the trans* community even though I don't use it myself and will smite any cis person who uses it. But to some in the community it is an extremely hurtful and offensive word, especially if they or others they know have been at the receiving end of transphobia and violence. It's all about context and what you are trying to achieve with your art and stories, and believe me (I speak from personal experience here) it's so easy for things to be taken waaaay out of context. So I'd tread carefully especially where other peoples' stories are concerned.

Good luck with your webcomic!

[KabitTarah]

There was recently some press about Eminem using the word "->-bleeped-<-got" in music and claiming it is ok because the intent is ok. It is still a slur if those listening cannot hear the intent, and his listeners do not use the word with good intent.

A work friend, regarding the pending name changes of the Indians and Redskins sports teams, told me he didn't find the names offensive. I asked him if he was Native American - and said he had no right to decide if something is offensive to them. As a trans group and as individuals from that group, we do have the right to decide what language is offensive.

We do have that right... and also have the right to use such names (just as black people can use the N word). I would be cautious in using them, and in how you use them as their use affects us all.

[kellizgirl]

I am just glad you found a way of expressing yourself that is very healing also very revealing. We need to be sensitive to others but sometimes it is the right word for the job. Jim Morrison refused to change for the Ed Sullivan show and he was correct in standing his ground and I personally believe your are as well. ->-bleeped-<- is our word it is us and it is time we take it back and use it with respect. I am a ->-bleeped-<-!

[=celestica=]

what you could do is add a trigger warning page so people will know what they're going to be reading.
but yeah, its your web comic and you shouldn't have to censor yourself for anyone.

[~RoadToTrista~]

As a trans group and as individuals from that group, we do have the right to decide what language is offensive.

Frankly I don't see why we need to go out of our way to make words offensive. Of all the words that are offensive to trans people, "->-bleeped-<-" seems pretty low on that list in my eyes, and I don't see it comparing to the n word, the c word, or the f word. I wouldn't feel uneasy about it at all if people here didn't make it into such a big deal.

[Sandy]

So, I've been working really hard on my new webcomic.  Its called One Body Per Lifetime: A genderless webcomic.  It is kind of a diary comic but I plan to have a bunch of crazy stuff going on it.

Now, I'm kind of a spaz sometimes.  For example, I once thought that the word "->-bleeped-<-" was a cool word to use!  Yeah its short for Transsexual or Transgender!  Boy was I wrong.....

So in the comic, the main protagonist is me.  Going through life, hating being a guy.  Now this usually ends with me transforming into a hulking beast that I plan to call "Dr. Testosterone".

First of all, are there any other pitfalls I should look out for?  I definitely won't being using the word ->-bleeped-<- unless its supposed to be offensive and will probably be directed at me.

Second I plan to put other people stories and plan to get them published in a hard cover book when I finish enough pages.  I want your stories!  I'll draw you (if you want) and I can through your name in there (or not, its up to you).  Funny, sad, crazy, I want it all!  I'll show you the finished work before I publish anything online or in print.

You all have never let me down before so I expect great things!  Thank you.

Pitfalls? Plenty, that's why they're called pitfalls, you don't see them coming.  Anyway not to be too flip, I think you should have a thick skin.  I think that you may be aware, but people can be so cruel sometimes.  Know that they are the ones with the problem, not you.

Hell, if you want my stories, you're welcome to them.  And if you want to draw me that's fine too.  Send me a message and we can work something out.  I sometimes feel like She-Hulk because of my size, maybe that can be fodder for your stories.

I like what I see on your site.  I've tabbed it and will definitely be looking for more!

-Sandy

[KabitTarah]

Frankly I don't see why we need to go out of our way to make words offensive. Of all the words that are offensive to trans people, "->-bleeped-<-" seems pretty low on that list in my eyes, and I don't see it comparing to the n word, the c word, or the f word. I wouldn't feel uneasy about it at all if people here didn't make it into such a big deal.

Sorry if I didn't make it clear... I don't find the word particularly offensive. There are much worse words to describe trans* people that are more directly related to the porn industry.

[MadeleineG]

I'd love to participate in your comic project! What a wonderful idea.

[evecrook]

I liked your web page, good luck

[Lara the Lover and the Fighter]

Thank you everyone!  I'm working on the next pages right now. 

If you have any stories you'd like me to put into comic form, please pm me.  I'll represent you as accurately or as abstract as you like!

[Alainaluvsu]

Non-threatening words only have power if you let them. Personally I think you should name your comic "I Just Don't Want to be an Offensive Douche..." 

[Danielle Emmalee]

I read this topic few days ago, but I couldn't recall any offensive terms except for the variations on the words transsexual used in the sundry parts of the internet.

However, I just remembered a term that actually doesn't exist but one you still might want to omit. Here it is --> ->-bleeped-<-.
Bear in mind that although the term actually doesn't signify anything it's implications can be offensive to some people nevertheless.

What do you mean by "doesn't exist"?  and "doesn't signify anything"? 

[Devlyn]

I know it isn't a topic that's open for discussion on this site. Hugs, Devlyn

[LittleV]

@Devlyn, I'm sorry... Now I feel like a douche.
It must have slipped of my mind or I had overlooked that part in the site's rules. Really, I only meant it as a friendly advice, not to offend anyone or raise a topic about it.
I will edit out my post.