Should We Scrap the Word "Transgender"?

[Shana A]

Should We Scrap the Word "Transgender"?
Filed by: Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
January 3, 2010 4:30 PM

http://www.bilerico.com/2010/01/is_it_unfair_to_define_the_transgender_community_t.php

The definition of "transgender" is not universally agreed upon. Some define it very broadly, to include anyone with a history or a hint of gender variance. Women who like sports. Men who like to cook.

Some people take issue with this broad definition. In fact, some transsexual people don't like being included in the definition of transgender. They feel, not without some historical justification, that transsexual people who have sex reassignment surgery were beginning to gain traction in terms of legal rights -- to change gender markers on birth certificates and other government identification, and to enforce those changes in other areas of law, such as marriage. However, there was a move in the late 1980s and 1990s by academics to expand the concept of gender to cover a wider area. That move was largely successful, and many people now see gender and its cousin, gender identity, as covering a very broad swath of territory. The concept of "transgender" now covers every sort of gender variance, including transsexuals, crossdressers, genderqueers and others.

[Marie731]

I'm guessing any discussion of this will violate the site bans on

    * Advocating the separation or exclusion of one or more group from under the Transgender umbrella term
    * Suggesting or claiming that one segment or sub-segment of our community is more legitimate, deserving, or more real than any others

[Flan]

I'm guessing any discussion of this will violate the site bans on

    * Advocating the separation or exclusion of one or more group from under the Transgender umbrella term
    * Suggesting or claiming that one segment or sub-segment of our community is more legitimate, deserving, or more real than any others

civil discussion, no
me thinks the author has a beef with "transgender" used as an umbrella for behavior, expression, or identity that is beyond the societal status quo of how people "should" be.

I myself am somewhat ambivalent about the term "transgender." I identify as a woman of transsexual experience.

<potential flame bait>
typical hBS banter
</potential flame bait>

[tekla]

Yeah, change it to 'waffle' because who in the hell doesn't like waffles?

[june bug]

Yeah, change it to 'waffle' because who in the hell doesn't like waffles?

Or go the way of PETA and use the term "kitten gendered" 

[Marie731]

Ewwwwwww, I hate waffles.

Now, now... this is a support forum. No waffle hating here

Waffles are just as valid and equal as other breakfast tasties.

[Virginia87106]

When you were a kid, did you ever make patterns in the waffles by pouring syrup into only some of the little squares so that it formed a pattern or a picture?

I have not eaten a waffle in a long time but I think I will try it again.

[Marie731]

When you were a kid, did you ever make patterns in the waffles by pouring syrup into only some of the little squares so that it formed a pattern or a picture?

No, but I used to build whole cities with skyscrapers, superhighways and parks in my mashed potatoes.

Come to think of it, I still do

[Janet_Girl]

Belgian Waffles with strawberries and chocolate sauce. 


Janet

[Shana A]

I'm guessing any discussion of this will violate the site bans on

    * Advocating the separation or exclusion of one or more group from under the Transgender umbrella term
    * Suggesting or claiming that one segment or sub-segment of our community is more legitimate, deserving, or more real than any others

Dr Weiss is an excellent writer, I've posted many of her articles here. This article seriously discusses terminology that we use within our community, I believe it is of considerable merit. If people discuss the article respectfully and civilly, that isn't in violation of rules.

Z

[Janet_Girl]

I actually was going to comment on the term itself and got caught in the moment.  Sorry Z, and I know better.  I find nothing wrong with the term, but it seems that it has become the new 'catch' phrase of the day.

By placing all gender variant under one term does a dis-serve to all.  But for the media, it is easier to group all of us under one umbrella.  No explanation needed.

But on the other hand, I think that for Transsexuals, we are more Transgender than Transsexual.  My point is that we are Transitioning our gender, not our sexuality.



Janet

[june bug]

My point is that we are Transitioning our gender, not our sexuality.

Agreed.

I'd take it a step further and say that trans-folk are transitioning the preconceived gender identity associated with them.

Regardless of what they do with their body, for those who _do_ prefer a "cut and dry" gender definition from one to the other, it's ultimately the perception that is changed.

Sorry.... I guess that's basically what it means... I just think there is still so much negative connotations (and assumptions) associated with anything starting with the word "trans".  For instance, the level of transition trans-folk go through in terms of their body varies immensely from person to person... once again, I know, preach-to-the-choir obvious stuff here...

I really _do_ wish there was a more "easy on the mind" phrase that could be used so that the general public didn't have such old-skool associations with the "trans".

Even "transgender" is a hop skip and jump away from "->-bleeped-<-" and "transvestite" (nothing against transvestites).

Couldn't we use something more poetic... like... Gender Enlightened? 

[Just Kate]

Yeah, change it to 'waffle' because who in the hell doesn't like waffles?

I LOL'd 4 rlz

[tekla]

It doesn't matter in the least what word you use, if people don't like the idea, they will use whatever word you like in the most dismissive and damming manner possible.

And Enlightened?  That would be hysterical.  Because almost every time anyone applies that word to themselves the one thing you know for sure is that they are not. It's like "cool."  It's only cool when others describe you in that way, if you describe yourself that way, you're just proving you're a dillweed.

[Alyssa M.]

That was actually a pretty well-written piece.

I seriously disagree with the semantic argument that "transgender" is a problematic word because its meaning is not well-defined. Few words have well-defined meanings. Does "gay" have a well-defined meaning? That is, in real life, where people have sexualities far more fluid than simply a choice of option X or option Y? This comes up all over the place -- what constitutes "well-educated" or "developmentally disabled"? There's no bright line. What about "rich" or "poor"? I could go on and on. We use all sorts of words whose meanings depend on the circumstances, and "transgender" is just another one.

I agree with the notion that the word is useful for political solidarity. However any subgroup might self-identify, we're all pretty much the same sort of freak to your average transphobe.

[june bug]

you're just proving you're a dillweed.

[tekla]

Not you personally, Devi, unless you really are running around telling everyone else how cool you are.

It's just that any real enlightenment would pretty much preclude you from actually describing yourself as such.  Kinda like "White Supremacist," always cracks me up when I see them on TV and there living in a double-wide in some trailer park.  What exactly is so supreme about that?  I mean, they are calling themselves "supremacists" and I bet they can't even spell the word

[Tammy Hope]

I actually was going to comment on the term itself and got caught in the moment.  Sorry Z, and I know better.  I find nothing wrong with the term, but it seems that it has become the new 'catch' phrase of the day.

By placing all gender variant under one term does a dis-serve to all.  But for the media, it is easier to group all of us under one umbrella.  No explanation needed.

But on the other hand, I think that for Transsexuals, we are more Transgender than Transsexual.  My point is that we are Transitioning our gender, not our sexuality.



Janet

I agree. i have no say and no influence but I much prefer "transgender" to "transsexual" for just that reason.

Although if it were possible to come up with a less loaded prefix that would be even cooler but I don't know how you could. to give an example, we commonly use the cis- prefix now but I'd never heard it until I came out and had to ask someone what it meant. I'll wager not 1 cis-gendered person in 500 has ever heard it.

so how do you change an already established label?

Beyond that, while I am fine with an umbrella term for all people with gender identity issues, I would like it if there was "transgender" for those of us who are simply shifting from one conventional gender role to the other, and "(something else)" for those who are stepping outside the traditional gender duality altogether.

I'd like to be able to say to a questioning person "transgender" and have them at least somewhat clearly understand what I am referring to and what I'm not referring to.

After all, we have "gay" and "lesbian" and the fact that there are two different words doesn't at all imply that one is more valid than the other, so who shouldn't that logic apply to the trans community?

(oh, and just by the way, am I the only one who HATES the term "genderqueer"? That comes off to be very much as a word designed to be confrontational and dare the hearer to take issue with it)

[V M]

I don't have a problem with the term "Transgendered" and I kinda like waffles although the toppings tend to be too sweet for me

But I wanna give everyone a spanking till my hand hurts just cause it sounds like fun 

*Puts on CatWoman outfit and cracks a whip* Wahpishka!!! 

[june bug]

Not you personally, Devi, unless you really are running around telling everyone else how cool you are.

What if _other_ people are running around telling everyone how cool I am... _then_ can I use the term "enlightened" with out being a dillweed?