Is '->-bleeped-<-' Offensive?

[Natasha]

Is '->-bleeped-<-' Offensive?

http://www.bilerico.com/2008/09/is_->-bleeped-<-_offensive.php
9/9/2008

I'm happy to be a part of the Bilerico team now, and I thought I'd start off by reposting something I wrote in my own blog a couple weeks ago. It was inspired by a reoccurring conversation I've seen on several blogs, including this one, so it seemed fitting.

It always goes like this. A cis (non-trans) person tosses out the word '->-bleeped-<-' in a comment. Then a trans person calls them out on it and tells them its a word that they shouldn't be using. Argument ensues over who's allowed to use what language, invariably, we hear "but my trans friends are okay with me using it." And usually the issue ends unresolved -- in my opinion, because no one discusses the history of the term or why it can have such a powerful negative impact.

[Sephirah]

I don't know, I don't find the word offensive unless the context it's used in is one I find offensive... but I personally don't like the word and wouldn't use it in conversation.

The word makes me think of the gearbox on a car.

[mickie88]

i don't mind trans, but ->-bleeped-<- is totally out of the question. i HATE that word.


Warrior Princess Mickie

[Laura91]

i don't mind trans, but ->-bleeped-<- is totally out of the question. i HATE that word.


Warrior Princess Mickie

I feel the same way.

[Janet_Girl]

Do I look like I am attached to an engine? I don't think so.

It is one of the many words I don't care for.  It is derogatory.

Janet

[lisagurl]

People have the right of free speech but it shows how ignorant and inarticulate they are.

[fae_reborn]

Do I look like I am attached to an engine? I don't think so.

It is one of the many words I don't care for.  It is derogatory.

Janet

Agreed.  Every time I have heard the word it has always been used in a derogatory sense.

Jenn

[tinkerbell]

I said it before, and I will say it again, this term along with "she-male" should die in a fire and go to hell while we are at it! 

tink

[Nero]

I said it before, and I will say it again, this term along with "she-male" should die in a fire and go to hell while we are at it! 

tink

agreed.

"... but my trans friends are okay with me using it" is akin to "...but my black friends are okay with me using the N-word".
Doesn't mean you should say it, especially in the company of random black people. Same with '->-bleeped-<-'.

[tinkerbell]

Personally I find it terribly insulting since it implies we are not real women or men (in the case of FTM's) but a cheap imitation.  It doesn't really matter if the person saying it is transsexual herself/himself; it just shouldn't be said to anyone IMO.  If anyone (people, friends, etc) wants/want to refer to me, please use woman or girl because that is what I am.

tink

[Janet_Girl]

Personally I find it terribly insulting since it implies we are not real women or men (in the case of FTM's) but a cheap imitation.  It doesn't really matter if the person saying it is transsexual herself/himself; it just shouldn't be said to anyone IMO.  If anyone (people, friends, etc) wants/want to refer to me, please use woman or girl because that is what I am.

tink

I prefer that they refer to me as she, her, Janet, Miss, or Miss O'Brien.  And I am open about my transition.

Janet

[fae_reborn]

I said it before, and I will say it again, this term along with "she-male" should die in a fire and go to hell while we are at it! 

tink

Well said Tink! 

Jenn

[buttercup]

I hate the word.   Makes me think of stillettos and torn fishnet stockings, and many guys who use it think thats how we get about in the after hours. 

[iFindMeHere]

*EDITED BECAUSE SENSE CAME INTO MY HEAD*

yes. even the ones whose names you say and everyone goes "AUGH NOT THEM" should not have that said about them. There's too much mental, emotional, and literal violence associated.

Sorry if any of you read the poop i wrote before... I'm having a rough night (reading the words of the Puritans for a Literature course argh!!!).

I'm gonna go sit in the corner nao.

Lane

[Flan Princess]

I said it before, and I will say it again, this term along with "she-male" should die in a fire and go to hell while we are at it! 

tink

Can we fuel the flames with the master copies of The Jerry Springer Show?

[umop ap!sdn]

If it were okay to call us that word then we'd have to call non-TG people cissies.

I dislike the word for the same reason as buttercup does.... and I agree with Tink!

[Natasha]

type '->-bleeped-<-' into google & see what you get.  not offensive? come on! give me a break, will ya? if someone calls me a '->-bleeped-<-', i make them see the stars!

[deviousxen]

Usually adding a -y to the end of something just makes it cuter I guess...

Guess its all about the history and context. Otherwise, the word alone is pretty well... Tame in my opinion.

[tekla]

The biggest deal in SF for years and years was ->-bleeped-<-shack, which just closed it's run.  No one seemed to object.

[Jay]

I dont find the word offensive. Just depends on the context and who says it really.