Zoey, I watched your recent interview with Dr. Drew on the topic of the Planet Fitness membership controversy, and I must say I was shocked and disappointed at how you represented the transgender community.
Let's ignore for a moment the "blame the victim" tone of the interview, and just focus on terminology.
For example, the term
transgender. Contrary to your statement in the interview, the definition of
transgender does indeed include
cross dressers. In fact,
transgender is an umbrella term which includes anyone whose gender identity or gender expression is different from that usually associated with the sex they were assigned at birth.
You also had trouble with the meaning of
cross dresser. First, cross dressing is considered a form of gender expression, and does not imply anything about sexual preference or fetishes. Second, contrary to what you said, cross dressers may indeed identify as
transsexuals at some point in their gender experience. And finally, you used the outmoded term
transvestite, which has been replaced by
cross dresser in the modern lexicon, thus further confusing the issue and the audience. Check out the
GLAAD Media Reference Guide - it does a good job of clarifying terms.
But the worst problem with the interview, really, is that by creating false divisions between people in the transgender community, your comments simply added to the confusion and fear around the "bathroom issue". That was a real missed opportunity. Right now, we need to help people understand that transgender people do not present a threat in bathrooms and locker rooms. In fact, if forced to use facilities that don't match their gender expression, transgender people are the ones threatened.
Zoey, as a transgender person with media access, you are in a unique position of both visibility and responsibility. All of us under the transgender umbrella are affected by what you say, and how you say it. Please help by becoming a force for unity at this critical juncture in trans history.
