Becoming a better Chaz

[Shana A]

Becoming a better Chaz
Transmissions
Published 05/19/2011

by Gwendolyn Ann Smith

http://www.ebar.com/columns/column.php?sec=transmissions&article=164

With Bono, this changes. Much like Jorgensen defined the male-to-female transsexual experience – and, frankly, transgender identity as a whole in the eyes of the public – Bono is now the face of female-to-male transsexuals.

In the public eye, this means that one may finally move past the phallocentricism that has sat in the middle of the popular view of transsexuals: it no longer becomes about "cutting one's penis off," but has to become somewhat more nuanced. Or at least I can hope it will.

On the down side, anything Bono says becomes emblematic about female-to-male transsexuals. Much like Richards's difficult statements about transsexuality over the last few years – likely stemming out of bitterness over the toll the publicity took on her – Bono will find additional weight placed on what he says.