Irony or what?

[Ellissa Ray]

So is it that I just never paid attention before or is there a sudden increase in media containing transsexuals? More interesting to me is just since I've decided that I want to come out to my family about being TS. All within the last week....I came home from school, sat down with my sister to watch tv and eat lunch with my sister, and she was watching a few episodes od Sureal Life on on-demand, season six I believe, with Alexa, a transexual. Of course we all know about the lifetime movie, A Girl Like Me, which I recorded while I was at work, big suprise that my sister came in when I was watching it, and seamed puzzled that I recorded it. then just earlier tonight, again my sister comes down to my room, I let her watch what she wanted and she put on The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency show, low and behold, another transsexual, gorgeous model by the way, cant even tell. But then it could just be me, kinda like when you get a new car and all you see on the road are more of your car...

[Melissa]

Well it does seem like it has increased more in the last few years with movies like transamerica.  There were always movies about the subject and TS on TV, but the frequency seems to have increased.

Melissa

[Sheila]

There has been a push by different groups to advertise more. We have always been around, like the intersexed groups. It has been really great to watch the growth of the normality of the Transgender. Like the Intersexed groups, they are trying to make it not so secret and that we are all just people like all the rest. The Intersexed just want to be left alone, meaning no surgery unless it is a life threatening, so they can grow up and be themselves and if there is surgery it will be up to them and not some know it all doctor or parents who don't want anything "abnormal" in their life. The Transsexuals want to be who they are and to live life the way they want to live it, not by someone elses viewpoint. If it includes some sort of surgery, then so be it. Some really don't want surgery, some want the all the surgeries so they think that they can pass. It is all in what you want and perceive yourself. It is not a choice, let me say this.
Sheila

[Ellissa Ray]

Wow I just realized I left out that the Irony part for me is the fact that I had just desided to come out to my sister right before seeing all this on tv, and every time I see this stuff on TV she's around... I guess it's a good thing to help her become a little more familliar with the whole TS thing.

[Elizabeth]

Hey Elissa,

No, it is not just you.  I have noticed the same thing and started a list of all the shows I have noticed that have transsexual or crossdressers in them.  Here is my partial list.

Acording to Jim
Southpark
Connie and Carla
sex and the City
T-MObile commercial
She's a Lady
Bugsbunny
Scary Movie 2
Roseanne
Drawn Together
Scary Movie
Sorority Boys
White Chicks
Family Guy
Simpson's
William Shatner Priceline commercial
Fresca commercial with guy in cheerleader outfit
Fairly Odd Parents
That Seventies Show
ESPN board game commercial
The wedding singer
gretchen willson music vidio... All jacked up,
Full House
Horse the Band video.
The Hot Chick
Dr. 90210
Big Mama's House 2
TransAmerica
Nip/Tuck
Flintstones
Drew Carry
snapple commercial

Just to name a few.

Love always,
Elizabeth

[Melissa]

Many of those movies do not truly deal with transsexualism Elizabeth.  Many of these shows/movies dress up in female clothes for purposes other than an internal drive to do so, so I don't think many of them would qualify as dealing with being transsexual.  Movies such as Transamerica, the Gwen Araujo Story, Boys don't cry, etc. all address transsexualism.  The point is, while there have been numerous shows/movies dealing with the subject of cross dressing, there seems to be an increase in the frequency of movies/shows dealing with being transsexual.

P.S. Another cross-dressing movie to add to your list: Robots

Melissa

[Elizabeth]

Melissa,

Yes, of course. In fact a large portion of those I listed are in fact mocking us.  However there are shows like "According to Jim" where he dressed as a woman to make his son and perhaps himself, feel more comfortable after his son wanted to wear a "girls" constume and be a princess.  I beleive this type of show helps desensitise society and shows them that we need to pay attention to what kids are telling us about what they feel comfortable with, with respect to thier gender.

I was just saying that a higher exposure that we even exist, is important.  People are getting used to the idea that transgendered people do exist and we are out there.  It makes it less shocking when they see us in any way other than we are shown on "Jerry Springer", which seems to be the general publics perception of us.

Love always,
Elizabeth

[Chynna]

We seem to be becoming icons or commodities of the times.
Or maybe its like when you buy a new used car and suddenly you see the exact same make and model that you just bought at almost every intersection whereas before you never notice them...

MMMMMMM...............anyone seen my poparazzi!?Im leaving the house now

CHYNNA