Susan's Place Transgender Resources

If you were the producer of a TV show about transgendered people--

What would you want your audience to learn about transgendereds?  What would you want them to see?  What changed impressions would you want them to come away with?

What misconceptions would you want to destroy?  What stereotypes would you want to undo?

The show is produced.  Write the blurb that goes on the website to entice an audience AND give them a clear idea of what to expect from your show.

Karen

I think the show(note: didn't see it) was structured backward. He should have started with the AIS child. Give people an example they can easily understand to open them up to the idea that gender isn't defined by the body. Then move to the MtF/FtM carrying the concept from the AIS child that gender and body are separate but expand the idea to include those who bodies appear to be normal, but are very much abnormal.. for a person of their gender. I think a large part of the difficultly people have understanding us is they work from the body what they see and in my(MtF) case don't understand why a guy would want to do "that", instead of look at the mind and understand a girl wanting to look like a girl and have no need for male attributes. But if you introduce the subject with someone they can't pick a gender for by looking at the body it forces them to shift gender to the mind. Once thinking in that context I think it would help the audience view us in the correct context and understand.(and always use correct pronouns/names)

I'd settle for a parade of B-slapping Jerry Springer, Dr. Phil, Maurie and Montel - followed by a healing hug from Oprah.

But not before Dr. Phil got a special chair delivery from Brianna for calling Gwen Arujo a crossdresser.

Bri

Transsexuals Defined:  Airing Feb. 12, 2007



                  Transsexuals do not change gender or sex?? They certainly do not........Learn the little known truth regarding transsexualism.  Myths and stereotypes are ripped away while our in depth factual findings are revealed.  Don't know any transsexuals?  Think again as we reveal real transsexuals living sucessful lives quietly among us all.  Finally the truth will be told and all thinking individuals will want to know.



Whatcha think Karen?

Well, this place is pretty addicting, so we MUST be interesting.  I like Beth's blurb.  Maybe something like: Being a transsexual has nothing to do with anything sexual. :o :o :o  Learn the secrets about what being a transsexual is really about.  I think that would surprise to A LOT of people.

Melissa

Quote from: Karen on January 18, 2007, 10:27:31 PM...
What misconceptions would you want to destroy?  What stereotypes would you want to undo?
...

If there is any stereotype I would like to see broken it is definitely that sex has anything to do with it.

Second and pretty close in the running would be that we have any choice in this. Choice to 'do something' vs live in absolute hell is no choice at all, thank you very much.

Third would be that this is a perversion, I mean seriously, get a clue people!

i'd tell my audience that transsexuals are people too and if they want to [hate] us then they should make sure they understand [why] they do in the first place.

[don't fear what you don't understand]

additionally i'd help brianna with the chair for dr. phil and also provide each member of my audience with a [magnified copy] of this link


http://www.drbanks.com/serious/myths.html

I'd like the word "Lifestyle" examined then stricken, banned, shunned, and explained out. I cannot think of a more offensive thing to say to me. Its worse than "Choice" to me. Saying "That Lifestyle" to me is as offensive as saying a mentaly challenged person in the special olympics "chose" that "lifestyle". This is NOT a lifestyle nor is it a choice.

The word "Lifestyle" when used to describe a me as a TS person, proves there is so much ignorance and lack of understanding and education to my TS delima that any hope to educate the world as to what the real truth is, seems unatainable. Just because society cannot "see" the problem doesnt mean that my transsexualism isnt real.

Quote from: Katia on January 19, 2007, 03:20:58 AM
additionally i'd help brianna with the chair for dr. phil and also provide each member of my audience with a [magnified copy] of this link
http://www.drbanks.com/serious/myths.html

Hey Katia,

Interesting link. Reading through it, I find myself agreeing and not agreeing with a lot of it.

Things I agree with- Are there really myths that exist that transsexual women can't pass and all act like men? This is very scary to me.

Things I don't agree with- I think that the objection to non-passing transsexuals "invading" women's space is one I can at least understand. I think women have a right to have places to feel safe, and I also think that being accepted as a woman is not something that happens serindipidously - it takes work.

On the other hand, I understand that many transsexuals are simply never going to pass. It would be nice if society understood this as well.

Bri-lala
Great link, Katia!

This is where I may differ on some items but have strong feelings about certain items:
  Firstly, though I realize there is a lack of terms in the dictionary for our journey I never really cared for the term transition. I always say I gave up my acting career and decided to be just me. I just feel when we say 'transition' it sounds like we are changing from one gender to the other. I know, this is how society sees it and there is a lack of words to describe it but I always like journey better. After all we are all on a journey in discovering our true selves.
   Secondly, though we are labelled as TS or IS I don't care for labels and feel it better if we are referred to as our true gender, not our birth gender or some label.
    Now to the idea of a platform for a show. I feel it should be done by an open minded person or someone who knows of our community properly. Respect would be a definite asset here too. Don't make us to be some freaks or someone who's doing this by choice.  Listen to what we have to say and try to help us get the world to understand so we not are locked away. It should have a member from each area of our community so people can understand us. In other words, it should have a TV, a CD, a TS and an IS etc so that people can understand the difference and who we are.  The host should allow us to discuss our plights and trials that we face in trying to be a part of this vast society. We do not need a host who is out to condemn us and bury us in dark ages.
                                                           Kim   :angel:

Id start the show off showing starven mistreated children in a war torn 3rd world country... thephase it into the idea of biggitory, rasism and sexism, showing all the progression (some) our society has made to get an idea across to the general public....  Then point out that being TG is just like liveing in those childrens hell and that once we grow up, were liveing in a pre civilrights world constantly affraid of the general public.  Show people with accepted birth deffects and then ask why its so morraly wrong for a TG/TS person to want to correct there own birth defect when its perfectly understandable little suzie wants a normal looking ear?

Have actual experianced theripists, social workers, and doctors on the show to help explain GID in a way that the rest of the world can understand....  Show them were human just like everyone else, and we should be treated as such... and with in our PROPER MENTAL gender.....

Quote from: Katia on January 19, 2007, 03:20:58 AM
http://www.drbanks.com/serious/myths.html

Great link Katia.  I enjoyed reading that.

Quote from: Lori on January 19, 2007, 08:29:40 AM
I'd like the word "Lifestyle" examined then stricken, banned, shunned, and explained out. I cannot think of a more offensive thing to say to me. Its worse than "Choice" to me. Saying "That Lifestyle" to me is as offensive as saying a mentaly challenged person in the special olympics "chose" that "lifestyle". This is NOT a lifestyle nor is it a choice.

I agree.  Being TS in and of itself is not a lifestyle as many transexuals experience lifestyles of all different kinds.  It's on my parents love to use.  To me this implies a transsexual MTF is really a man who is wanting to live in a lifestyle of a woman, but still considers himself a man.  "Out and Proud" and stealth are 2 good examples of "lifestyles".  My lifestyle really hasn't changed much since before I started to transition.  I still do many of the same things, it's just I'm not disgusted with myself anymore.

Quote from: Brianna on January 19, 2007, 09:15:22 AM
I think that the objection to non-passing transsexuals "invading" women's space is one I can at least understand.

It sounds like you are implying that non-passing transsexuals are not women.

Melissa

Quote from: Melissa on January 19, 2007, 11:41:50 AM

Quote from: Brianna on January 19, 2007, 09:15:22 AM
I think that the objection to non-passing transsexuals "invading" women's space is one I can at least understand.

It sounds like you are implying that non-passing transsexuals are not women.

No, I'm just saying I understand the fear. I ran into a non-passing transsexual in a bathroom once and it scared the H-E-double hockey sticks out of me.

This is a minority opinion, but I don't think being a transsexual automatically qualifies you to be a woman. I think it's a status that is earned through behavior and work.

Still, for the record - the only non-passing transsexual that I don't regard as a woman is Ann Coulter. But that's just because she's an extremist Republican. ;)

Bri-lala

I want to see a 5 part series, 1 every night for a week hosted by Bill O'Reilly, Tucker Carlson, and Ann Coulter.  I want them to tell us what they really think.

And then I want Jon Stewart and Steve Colbert to do a follow up on each episode every night.

That's what I'd like to see. 

Cindi

Quote from: Brianna on January 19, 2007, 11:51:31 AM
No, I'm just saying I understand the fear. I ran into a non-passing transsexual in a bathroom once and it scared the H-E-double hockey sticks out of me.

This is a minority opinion, but I don't think being a transsexual automatically qualifies you to be a woman. I think it's a status that is earned through behavior and work.

Still, for the record - the only non-passing transsexual that I don't regard as a woman is Ann Coulter. But that's just because she's an extremist Republican. ;)

Ah, ok.  Yeah, I agree that if one puts no effort in, keeps the beard, uses a male voice and acts just like a male, then that person is not a woman--they are a crossdresser.

Melissa

Quote from: MelissaYeah, I agree that if one puts no effort in, keeps the beard, uses a male voice and acts just like a male, then that person is not a woman--they are a crossdresser.

And a bad crossdresser at that.

Quote from: NatalieUGA on January 19, 2007, 05:25:48 PM

Quote from: MelissaYeah, I agree that if one puts no effort in, keeps the beard, uses a male voice and acts just like a male, then that person is not a woman--they are a crossdresser.

And a bad crossdresser at that.

Oh, there's a few of them in my support group. ::)

Melissa

Quote from: Brianna on January 19, 2007, 11:51:31 AM

Still, for the record - the only non-passing transsexual that I don't regard as a woman is Ann Coulter. But that's just because she's an extremist Republican. ;)

Bri-lala

Bri, I hear more of a screaming banshee than anything else when Coulter speaks!


What I would like to see -

Correct pronouns in the program.
Transsexuals in the workplace - both professional and nonprofessional positions.
The causal-biology/psychology surrounding transsexualism.  (Okay, it's the science geek in me!)
Bigotry against the entire transgender community.  For the purpose of this discussion, focus on transsexuals.
Comparison of the stereotypes versus reality.
THe personal cost (not financial) associated with being transsexual
Return to transsexuals in the workplace.  How they are today in the correct body.


Chaunte

I would like to see a multi part series where TS present themselves as opposed to being questioned.  It should be conducted in a comfortable respectful atmosphere with the host guiding the interview rather than directing it.  I would like to show that we are nothing special, nothing to fear or worry about.  I would like the show to bring out the suffering and fears we endure, the tragedies and losses we face, the obstacles and hardships we must overcome.

It should be a one on one affair not like the Dr Phil show where it was four against one during the FtM segment.  And each show would deal with a different person, a FtM and a MtF, and a producer of the show I would want to ensure that the person being interviewed had their facts and figures straight and that the information provided was current and relevant.  The show should cover all the aspects of transition such as the SOC, HRT, coming out, medical treatments and complications, SRS, legal, name changes etc. etc.

Steph

You want an antidote? Watch the TS story arc on All My Children.

I was SO skeptical at first, I thought they were going to make it into a big joke. They didn't.

It is *beautifully* done. Absolutely beautiful. I'm sitting here catching up on the week via SOAPNET, and I'm only up to wednesday... and I can't stop crying. I dunno, maybe it's personal, as I can *really* relate to Zoe, her eccentricities, how her angst became projected into her art, and especially this being her "destiny," a truly sprititual quest.

Knowing that this is reaching a very mainstream audience... is simply wonderful. THIS is what we need.

Bravo AMC. Bravo.

Back to watching...

Kate

Quote from: Brianna on January 19, 2007, 09:15:22 AMAre there really myths that exist that transsexual women can't pass and all act like men?

Yes. This one was actually portrayed on an episode of Sex And The City. Needless to say, it was the last episode of that show I will ever watch.

I'd like to see a portion of a transsexual's life shown before transition, the pain and abuse that some have to endure because of it (Like the movie, Ma Vie en Rose), and then the good transition does for us, even with the pain and abuse that goes with it.  I'm thinking flashbacks while a successful, passing transwoman (not a female actress) tells her story to her kids.

I also wish I could see more emphasis on the difference between orientation and identity.  Having orientation mixed up with transsexual identification is a price we pay, I think, partly out of our culture's beliefs and partly because of our necessary alliance with the GLB community.  The orientation thing seems the be the first erroneous conclusion that most people jump to when they consider or hear of a transsexual who is transitioning.  >:(

And I'd like to see a parody showing the talk show hosts mentioned in the title of the thread as guests in a talk show and then beating each other up and screaming, "WHATEVER!!!" at each other.  Springer could come out in drag, Geraldo can be exposed as a FtM, Dr Phil as a ->-bleeped-<- ->-bleeped-<-, etc.  It has huge possibilities!  >:D

meine zwei Pfennig,
helen

I like the suggestions I've seen posted here so far.  :D

Here's what I was thinking when I created the topic--

QuoteWhat would you want your audience to learn about transgendereds?

While ->-bleeped-<- (including intersex conditions) is rare, it's perfectly natural.  Also, what often makes the individual appear to be a flakey loser is often brought about by their being badly treated by others for their differentness.  I'd also like to show how other societies cherish and celebrate transgendered individuals.

What would you want them to see?

Successful, well adjusted transgendereds.  I would like to seed the audience with trans-men and trans-women who pass well, AND those 'normals' who are likely to be bigoted against transgendered.  The payoff would come when I ask the TGs to stand up, and the bigots they were sitting next to realize that this person was totally accepted by them as a member of the gender they had categorized them as.

What changed impressions would you want them to come away with?

That transgendered people are every bit as natural as cisgendered (those whose brain gender and body sex are congruent,) and are worthy of our respect for their courage to go against society.

What misconceptions would you want to destroy?  What stereotypes would you want to undo?

That TGs are somehow sick, deviant, etc.  That they have chosen this lifestye, rather than having it thrust upon them.

The show is produced.  Write the blurb that goes on the website to entice an audience AND give them a clear idea of what to expect from your show.

(Stealing from Dr Phil's blurb)
Imagine waking up one morning and realizing that you've been living in the wrong body. That's what Dr. Phil's first guest says happened to him. Bernadette started dressing like a boy in high school. Now 37, he's Cameron, and is going to have his breasts surgically removed. Cameron's mom, Antoinette, and his aunts say they accept and support his decision to become the man he is inside. Then, Sylvia's 17-year-old girl, Gwen, was murdered when a group of boys found out that Gwen was born male. The grieving mother weighs in on this important discussion. And, a high school trans-girl will be allowed to use the girls' bathroom. That's the decision one Florida high school made. The boy's lawyer and two moms from the community won an important, far-reching victory against community members ignorant of the facts of ->-bleeped-<-. Plus, Jim and Linda's 4-year-old daughter, Kayleigh, was born with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, a condition where she looks like a female on the outside, but inside, she's an underdeveloped male. Her parents have successfully resisted being forced to decide Kayleigh's gender until Kayleigh is herself capable of making an informed choice!

Karen

P.S.,  Keep discussing this and coming up with ideas!