Susan's Place Transgender Resources

http://lweingarten.com/photo/question-1/ (http://lweingarten.com/photo/question-1/)

"This ongoing body of work explores the power dynamics inherent in the questions asked of transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and gender-variant people.

Many documentary photographic projects that deal with trans issues exploit the genders of their subjects, pointing to an "otherness" or inappropriately exoticizing their bodies. A Series of Questions seeks instead to make visible the transphobia and gender-baiting that can become part of everyday interactions and lives, forming a fuller picture of the various lived experiences. In so doing, this work contrasts with the dehumanizing approaches that predominate the images made of transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, and gender-variant people, which often focus solely on their gender or trans status, or use them to further a specific point about social construction and gender.

The subjects hold signs depicting questions that each has had posed to them personally— some by strangers, others by loved ones, friends, or colleagues. Presented on white wooden boards, the questions are turned on the viewer, shifting the dynamics under which they were originally asked, and prompting the viewer to cast a reflective, self-critical eye upon themself, revealing how invasive this frame of reference can be.

As a greater number of subjects and questions are accumulated, a relentless conversation of questioning emerges. Attention is directed not on the backgrounds of the transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, or gender-variant subjects, but on the dynamics at work in these conversations. I am interested in uncovering the typology of these questions, discovering what categories of questions emerge as the script of power dynamics and interrogation is flipped."

http://sites.google.com/site/questionphotoproject/ (http://sites.google.com/site/questionphotoproject/)

I did write him and submit some questions I've actually been asked by my family.  I'd be willing to hold a sign and have my picture taken with them.  I'd be interested to know if anyone else would possibly participate and what questions you would use if you did. 

These are my questions:

"How can God ever condone, much less approve, of attempting to distort His reality like this?"

"How could you be so cruel as to put us through this?"

"Is this new cruelty part of what we can expect from you from now on?"

"How can you be so deceived?"

"How can your transition be good when it causes us so much pain, anxiety and anguish?"

"We've lost our daughter, and gained...what in her place?  We don't know, but we'll never accept this horrific imposter."

"Is your husband making you do this?"

"Have you considered your husband in all of this?"

"You'll never have a penis so how can you be a real man?"

Hey Squirrel, thanks for the links. I sent him an email too saying I'd be happy to participate, though I doubt he'll be in Australia any time soon.

Here's the questions/statements I submitted:

'But you're such a pretty girl.'

'What makes you think you're a man?'

'You weren't born this way, it was a choice you made.'

'You're not a man yet, I don't have to call you anything.'

'Why would you want to do this to yourself?'

'If you like guys why don't you just stay a woman?'

'Why are you doing this to me?'

Very interesting.  I've been on the receiving end of a few of those questions.  Especially the "Do you still have a vagina?" and "Do you have sex like a girl?"

I think I recognized one of the people, holding the "Are you sure this is right for you?" sign.  Anyone know if it's Scott Schofield?  I'm not 100% positive though.

I liked your questions, Paul.  I really liked the "Have you considered your husband in all of this?"  For me, it would be "family" instead of "husband" though.  I got that a lot in the beginning.  Not so much anymore, thankfully.  Here's hoping you get to participate.

Mine would be..."How could you do this to our family?" "Who would ever hire you?" and "Why can't you just be a butch lesbian?"

Oh, hohoho, I'd love to take part in this. I doubt he'd be in the UK any time soon though..

I've had a few of those (pics and mentioned here), but overall:

"You could be making a terrible mistake"
"But you've worn skirts/makeup/etc..."
"Are you a woman?"
"You're not a man 'til you've had the last surgery" (condensed version of what Mum said)
"By becoming a man you're saying no to other men"
"I don't think God would want you to do this"
"Had any ops yet?"
"Are you sure this isn't a phase?"
"So, does this mean you date girls now?"

etc etc... Oh sod it, emailing now... Cheers Paul :)

***pokes her head into the boys room***

"Why would you get a sex change? You can already have sex, can't you?"
<that one just left me slack jawed and dumbfounded...>

these where all asked by friends of mine and i dont hold it against them. its mostly ignorance but i am really patient with them because they dont say these things to be malicious.

"so how do you like... have sex?"
"technically your not straight because technically your still a girl right?"
"so haw big are your boobs?"

I've seen that on tumblr.  It's interesting.  I recognize a few of the people too. 

if i had a dollar for every time i got this one

"so when you become a boy will you ______?"

to which i ask "i'm already a boy. how do i become one?"

guess what? they answer with SURGERY. which they know nothing about. they couldn't even name one if i asked. two people thought that penis transplants were entirely possible.

Let me add a couple.

"Excuse me! Excuse me! Is that a girl or a boy?"

"WHAT is THAT?"

"when do you think you will ever be a real guy?"
"How can you do this to us?"
"Why are you so selfish?"
"at what point did you decide to make believe you are male?"
"i don't know how you live like this"
"Are you a boy or a girl?"
"No matter what you do you will still be my sister, not a brother"

This is a really good idea.


Reminds me of this video on YouTube (even though it is hilarious it is also very true):
Bad Questions to Ask a Transsexual: The Director's Cut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjqsB1huDxg&feature=channel_video_title#)

The only thing I really get from people who don't understand is, "So you've got a dick between your legs now?!" as if one just magically appears at the moment you decide you're undoubtedly male on the inside. Or it's phrased as, "So you're going to get a dick and balls put on!?" as if it's so easy... But it irritates me that that's the first thing people go to, because I am absolutely NOT obsessed with sex like everyone else!  >:(

I recoginise the guy holding the sign that says, "Is FTM or MTF surgery harder?" from Transgeneration.

"Real men don't wear makeup."
"You like guys, why can't you just stay a woman?"
"You're not gay, you're straight!"
"Which bathroom do you use?"
"You're too feminine to ever look like a guy."
"Can you dress a little more...like a girl when you come over?"
"But you're a girl, you should like girly things." i.e., just bc I like makeup, heels, and purses does NOT mean I like all girly things, like frilly crap and pink.
"You're not a man, you're a cross-dresser."

The list goes on but these are some of the more common ones. I would love to take part in this project.

I got a reply back from this guy today. He was saying that this'll be going on for a few years, so isn't ruling out coming over to Blighty ;D He seems really nice, was also thanking me for sharing with him ^_^

Quote from: heatherrose on July 26, 2011, 04:02:49 PM

There are 100's of thousands of "real" men who enjoy makeup, heels, and purses who are also attracted to men.

Thank you. :)

Quote from: Adrian on July 26, 2011, 03:53:58 PM
I recoginise the guy holding the sign that says, "Is FTM or MTF surgery harder?" from Transgeneration.

"Real men don't wear makeup."
"You like guys, why can't you just stay a woman?"
"You're not gay, you're straight!"
"Which bathroom do you use?"
"You're too feminine to ever look like a guy."
"Can you dress a little more...like a girl when you come over?"
"But you're a girl, you should like girly things." i.e., just bc I like makeup, heels, and purses does NOT mean I like all girly things, like frilly crap and pink.
"You're not a man, you're a cross-dresser."

The list goes on but these are some of the more common ones. I would love to take part in this project.

only 2 of which are questions. I wonder if rude comments count, too. I have tons of those.

I'll add a few:

"Are you a boy or a girl?"
"How can you be a man if you don't like girls?" (I'm asexual)
"Why bother having surgery? You can never have a real penis anyway."
"Are you sure you're not just a masculine lesbian?"

This one's not really a question, but I still hate it:
"I felt like that when I was young, too. Just wait a few years, you'll probably grow out of it."

Great video, Da Monkey!  I watched the entire thing and she is very funny and very right.

I received an answer back from him as well Nemo.  Which was a pleasant surprise to me.  He's a very polite and thoughtful person.