Last night debuted the new version of "Whose line is it anyway?" If you haven't seen it, it's improv comedy where the performers are given prompts and try to give funny responses.
One prompt was: "Things you don't want to hear after having sex."
One of Wayne Brady's answers: "It will feel even better after my surgery."
He got a big laugh.
Question: Do you think this is offensive? Or is this type of humor about transgender OK?
I dont have TV, but when I read your post, I grinned a bit. I thought the spoof Esttromaxx commercial was funny, too.
Flip the coin, few people like being made the butt of a joke. I'm one of the exceptions, I'll play the buffoon anytime, let me have it with your best jokes, because I can take it, give it, and laugh about it.
If we can't laugh at transgender people, well then the Irish joke* I was about to tell would probably be completely inappropriate! Hugs, Devlyn
*I'm Irish, I can say that!
With a prompt like that, I don't think there is anything you can say that wouldn't be offensive to someone or some group in some way. No big deal.
It's tough, though, because the real question should be "Is it okay to make fun of any group of people?" Most of us probably would not make jokes about dumb and lazy [fill in your ethnicity] here, because it is stereotypical and mean. However, some of the meanest comments and jokes come from people within the groups. I have heard some really funny comments and jokes in my support group that include words like ->-bleeped-<-, dyke, etc by women and men who are post op and very kind and generous people.
My thought is that it probably is not good form to make a joke at anyone's expense. To me it seems to continues to further stereotypes and images society at large have. I'm not going to get uptight if someone does make a joke like Brady. It is just not something I would do. Admittedly, I am probably the wet blanket in this thread.
As long as the humor offends (and doesn't demean) everyone, it's ok.
(I'd be asking "what surgery?", because either the MtF or the FtM creates a totally different experience. Now, a BA would enhance an encounter, so may ybe the joke was more directed at cis-women?)
QuoteThings you don't want to hear after having sex."
"Don't worry, I'm sure my test results will be negative."
"Did you know you weren't inside the entire time?"
"Well, I generally prefer girls anyway."
I don't get it though, because, without "the surgery" (I presume a neovagina)...uh...wouldn't the person be aware? Lmao. I mean. Yeah. but in any case.
I laugh at these types of jokes. I do understand why it could be sensitive...when I first met Keaira, I made sure that I didn't say anything about these types of humour, because I didn't know how it would make her feel, as a trans woman. But I learned very quickly (she actually posted a sketch about a trans girl named "Davina" lol) that these jokes were OK with her. I'd respect someone's discomfort with them if they vocalized it, but for me personally, I think sometimes we just need to laugh at ourselves. I can laugh at most jokes about FTM too.
I wouldnt say they were poking fun at trans people in an offensive way. I'd say that it was poking fun more at the situation than anything. I mean, lets face it. A lot of us have thought the same thing. "It will be better after the surgery." If it wasnt the case, we would find SRS kind of pointless in the 1st place :P
It could also be that the person has been with this person since before they came out as trans and is having a hard time accepting the changes. Although that's more sad than funny.
Quote from: Ketchup Packet on July 18, 2013, 01:00:10 AM
I don't get it though, because, without "the surgery" (I presume a neovagina)...uh...wouldn't the person be aware?
I interpreted it that the person has just been made love to by a man who doesn't know she's a non-op transwoman and therefore probably entered ... well ... a different avenue from what he imagined.
Quote from: suzifrommd on July 17, 2013, 05:55:41 PM
Question: Do you think this is offensive? Or is this type of humor about transgender OK?
I think it's funny. You know maybe the people who were laughing weren't laughing at trans folk themselves but the unfortunate situation they find themselves in.
Some years back when I was using silicone breast forms I was waiting for a new pair to come from someone on E-Bay. A female friend complained about the wire from an underwired bra sticking into her breast and I responded 'well at least your boobs aren't stuck in Northern Ireland'.
But anyway..
Quote"Things you don't want to hear after having sex."
"Where's the condom?"
"Not to worry."
"Tickets please."