I, personally, didn't find it offensive, nor did I find it funny.
I just can't agree with trying to get it off air, though. As I said in the other topic about this, my experience is that SNL goes over a wide range of issues. In the UK we had Little Britain, something I'm sure many trans people are aware of, and I think that show on its own shows why we can't "ban" trans-based comedy. It's a matter of principle in my mind. You don't watch something like SNL or Little Britain if you're easily offended, because they can be offensive, and I suspect it's common knowledge. You just have to look at things like SNL's 'Jizz In My Pants' song, one about premature ejaculation, to see that they're hardly the most sensitive people out there.
I laugh at the gay jokes in shows, the race jokes, the religion jokes - So it's only 'fair' that I have to deal with the trans jokes. If I'm offended, then so be it. It's something I've willingly let myself be open to, and I have to deal with that. If I complain and so do others, and they stop doing trans jokes and censor shows with them, then what have I achieved? I've gone against my beliefs as I really don't agree with censorship on any level. When we start saying jokes about X, Y or Z can't be done, we cause issues and it becomes a domino effect until the point where nothing can be joked about. Comedy is one way for people to cope with issues they have - I bury myself in comedy shows on both the radio and TV because they make me happy, they make me smile, they make me giggle like a madwoman. I, and others, need that to get through life.
Point is that so many people find these sorts of shows funny until the gaze turns on them, until the joke hits close to home. There was a woman in the UK who went to see a comedian who was known to be offensive, and she laughed at the show but got hysterically upset when he made comments about people with Downs, something this woman's daughter has. I sympathised with her daughter, but did she get any of my sympathy? Only as far as her daughter's condition goes. She willingly went to that gig, she was fully aware that comedian was offensive, and she expected sympathy from people about being offended?
Stereotypes are old hat. They've been around centuries, if not longer. They'll be around just as long, I reckon. Rise above them with all your strength, prove to people that that's not who or what you are, but if you're offended by a sketch like this, take it in your stride and carry on. It's not worth getting upset over, because you're letting them win. Prove to people that it's a joke, and that you're not. That's my view, anyway.
There's a difference between 'hate' and 'tasteless' with subjects like homosexuality, ->-bleeped-<- and other issues, and I think this was simply 'tasteless', and not a 'hate speech' (As I've seen it described).
