tvguide
November 14, 2008
Candis Cayne, Carmilita from DIRTY SEXY MONEY, is the first transgender on primetime. She plays a truthful vixen on the show but charms Chris Harrison on the Hollywood 411 set.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnkbiApeVR8&ftm=18 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnkbiApeVR8&ftm=18)
Maybe this is just me, but it kinda grates that she's referred to as 'a transgender'. Not even a 'transgendered woman' or 'transgendered person'. As though 'transgender' is a different species of human. She shows grace and poise in that interview, but it would definitely irritate me.
I'm all for awareness, but... *sigh* it probably is just me. I feel kinda strongly about this, about people's transgendered background being more of a focal talking point, and the reason for them being in the spotlight, than their ability and skill as an actor/actress in relation to what they do.
Yeah, reminds me of how people used to use sexuality as a noun, as in "a homosexual" or "a gay." One day, hopefully, "a transgender" will sound just as stupid.
Lia
Quote from: Leiandra on November 28, 2008, 06:48:46 PMI'm all for awareness, but... *sigh* it probably is just me. I feel kinda strongly about this, about people's transgendered background being more of a focal talking point, and the reason for them being in the spotlight, than their ability and skill as an actor/actress in relation to what they do.
I think it's a phase the str8 cisgendered public has to get over. We're used to it (the concept of transgender.) It's boring. Let's just get on with life.
To str8 cisgendered, this is still new and titillating and scary.
It's like the old trick, "Whatever you do, don't think of an elephant!" And of course, you think of an elephant.
One of the things that scares str8s is that when they think of (or are caused to think of) gays, lesbians or transgenders is SEXX!!!!! just pops into their minds. Professor of Sociology Jerry S. Manaker will instruct his class to say the first thing that pops into their minds when he says a word.
He say 'gay.' They say 'sex'. Just like that. Every time. (meaning every time he tries this on a new class...)
It will take a while for str8s toget over that over-sensitization to the sex aspects of transgenders. Right now, that's why there is the character of Carmelita in the show -- for that "Whatever you do, don't think of..." aspect.
It will take str8s a long time to get over that.
But it will happen eventually.
Karen