"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet "

That word, along with a few others should go to Hell and be expunged from the language. I'm with Tink & Natasha on this one.

Unlike Natasha I am unlikely to make much of anyone see stars unless I bring them out to a nice meadow on a clear night, and even then I'd merely ask that they raise their eyes and look. Although a quick Google pretty much does make the point quite well

And yes, just as "n*g**r" & "c**t" are offensive regardless of who is using them so are "sh*m*le" & "tr**y."

So, please stay away from me with them.

Nichole

Quote from: Nichole on September 10, 2008, 10:11:51 AM
That word, along with a few others should go to Hell and be expunged from the language. I'm with Tink & Natasha on this one.

Unlike Natasha I am unlikely to make much of anyone see stars unless I bring them out to a nice meadow on a clear night, and even then I'd merely ask that they raise their eyes and look. Although a quick Google pretty much does make the point quite well

And yes, just as "n*g**r" & "c**t" are offensive regardless of who is using them so are "sh*m*le" & "tr**y."

So, please stay away from me with them.

Nichole

really? I'm a feminist. I cant stand the word vagina because of it's etymology ("sheath for a sword"). That word dishonors a woman's ownership of her sex/sexuality by stating that it exists to be used. I am exceedingly in love with the word "c**t". My seven year old has been taught that she has a vulva and, when she is old enough, will be taught why.

Of course I also see the word "b!+(h" as a compliment....still w/ya on t-word tho.

Quote from: iFindMeHere on September 10, 2008, 10:25:06 AM

Quote from: Nichole on September 10, 2008, 10:11:51 AM
That word, along with a few others should go to Hell and be expunged from the language. I'm with Tink & Natasha on this one.

Unlike Natasha I am unlikely to make much of anyone see stars unless I bring them out to a nice meadow on a clear night, and even then I'd merely ask that they raise their eyes and look. Although a quick Google pretty much does make the point quite well

And yes, just as "n*g**r" & "c**t" are offensive regardless of who is using them so are "sh*m*le" & "tr**y."

So, please stay away from me with them.

Nichole

really? I'm a feminist. I cant stand the word vagina because of it's etymology ("sheath for a sword"). That word dishonors a woman's ownership of her sex/sexuality by stating that it exists to be used. I am exceedingly in love with the word "c**t". My seven year old has been taught that she has a vulva and, when she is old enough, will be taught why.

Of course I also see the word "b!+(h" as a compliment....still w/ya on t-word tho.

1st paragraph seconded.

I presume that as a feminist you enjoy being called one? To be called a C**t is quite different than having one.

All of the slur terms seem mostly unredeemable to me. Yes, you may like being called a b***h but it still stings and the effect of all of those words is to lessen one's sense that the person they call a slur-term is as human as they are. That is the inevitable result of their usage. It's the reason for their usage.

We consistently "other" people with the words we use to refer to them when we don't like them or disagree with them.

That seems a simple enough thing to see given the long-history of slurs.

N~

Quote from: Nichole on September 10, 2008, 12:03:17 PM
I presume that as a feminist you enjoy being called one?

Being a guy, I'd just assume they were anglophiles (it's a nongender insult there)... but no it wouln't bother me.

You can re-read now. I think my point was clarified after you responded. The "one" I was referring to is "c**t."

Quote from: Nichole on September 10, 2008, 12:11:10 PM
You can re-read now. I think my point was clarified after you responded. The "one" I was referring to is "c**t."

yep thas the one i thought you meant. it's a nongendered insult in the UK. And no it wouldn't bother me.

I don't feel too strongly about words in and of themselves.  If someone calls me a ->-bleeped-<- or a c*nt, it's not all that big a deal to me...they can go ->-bleeped-<- 'emselves, but it's not the end of the world. I'm gonna get just as angry if they call me an a*sshole or whatever. Words are words, it's the intent that matters. If someone accidentally says something I find offensive, I just ask them not to say that around me. Problem solved.

PS The word c*nt is nongendered, at least here (Northeastern US)

If anyone ever used that word in referring to me, they would be spitting teeth! 

But then I am functionally stealth so it would be meant as a supreme insult so knocking them flat would be perfectly within the Cat-Fight rules! 

Quote from: Ian on September 10, 2008, 12:58:20 PM
I don't feel too strongly about words in and of themselves.  If someone calls me a ->-bleeped-<- or a c*nt, it's not all that big a deal to me...they can go ->-bleeped-<- 'emselves, but it's not the end of the world. I'm gonna get just as angry if they call me an a*sshole or whatever. Words are words, it's the intent that matters. If someone accidentally says something I find offensive, I just ask them not to say that around me. Problem solved.

PS The word c*nt is nongendered, at least here (Northeastern US)

Perhaps I live in a different Northeast and missed the cultural memo on that word, Ian. That word is hardly non-gendered. That it's used on males as well as females doesn't non-gender it. No more than "pu**y" is non-gendered just because it uses a female part as a slur toward a male.

Okay, since it's so non-gendered I suppose I will just need to start carrying a lead-weight in my purse to use on the first fool who uses it in regard to me.

Nichole

I personally am offended by any use of any word as a derogatory.

Both the C-word and the T-word have been used by me and others have referred to me that way.  But in those cases I was not offended because they were used in a loving or caring or erotic context by people who I love and trust. 

When any term is used in a hurtful way it is offensive.
For example:

"Next on Jerry Springer!  ->-bleeped-<-s!  And their sex lives!!"  <--- Very Offensive! (Please excuse my use of the word here)

but using the more accepted term in an equally offensive way does not soften the offense or make it more palatable:

"Next on Jerry Springer!  Transsexuals! And their sex lives!"  <--- Equally Offensive.

In a similar vein, African American people may use the N-word with each other or allow it from others that they trust/love, but are extremely incensed when used by people who do not share that trust.

Language can be sooo complex!

-Sandy

Well if that is the meaning for ->-bleeped-<- well that would make me a 62 year old gear shift 

Jokes aside though I quite agree with Tink;

QuoteI said it before, and I will say it again, this term along with "she-male" should die in a fire and go to hell while we are at it! & Personally I find it terribly insulting since it implies we are not real women or men (in the case of FTM's) but a cheap imitation.

It's that kind of trashy publicity we do not need, it is not who we are.

In the past six years I have worked with the cisgender folks or regular folks out there I was addressed as female and by my proper name with respect and still do. Actually for those last six years I was only known as Cindy and never even gave a thought to the word transsexual, or trance, TS, TG or anything else TS oriented.

After six years I upon my own choice decided to get involved with the TS community here in Vancouver. I also work with street girls at a local women's shelter, one entity I keep separate from the other but I am still the same woman who is fulfilling both jobs. I am also active with other activities in the community with, regular women, none know my affiliation with one or the other of my duties and activities elsewhere in the city. I like to think that many of us here have a desire to be loving compassionate and reputable women just wanting to go about living normal lives with loving caring mates as we possibly can.

Who needs the constant fear and the drama, just put the wheel back on the wagon and git rollin.

Cindy     

Where I grew up in NYC half the people's native language was not English. Many have no idea of the definitions of most the words they speak. How could anyone be hurt by words, ( sticks and stones) it is the action after the words that can harm. I think too many people have no self confidence and accept other people's opinions and judgment as better than their own. A sad day in those people's minds. Speaking intelligently is an asset. Slang and being inarticulate just shows your ignorance, I try to hide my laughter.

Quote from: Nichole on September 10, 2008, 03:03:41 PM

Perhaps I live in a different Northeast and missed the cultural memo on that word, Ian. That word is hardly non-gendered. That it's used on males as well as females doesn't non-gender it. No more than "pu**y" is non-gendered just because it uses a female part as a slur toward a male.

Okay, since it's so non-gendered I suppose I will just need to start carrying a lead-weight in my purse to use on the first fool who uses it in regard to me.

Nichole

Go for it. I should also say I dont think it's ok to insult other people period, though I'm guilty of breaking that rule. Just one more of those self-improvement projects on the books for this lifetime lol....

QuoteGo for it. I should also say I dont think it's ok to insult other people period

You can not control how other people feel. A person can be insulted and you could have no idea as to what insulted them. Every culture has its rules and dogma and you cannot be expected to know all those paradigms. What is expected in one group is an insult in another. The only thing you have control of is your own feelings.

Quote from: iFindMeHere on September 10, 2008, 12:07:46 PM

Quote from: Nichole on September 10, 2008, 12:03:17 PM
I presume that as a feminist you enjoy being called one?

Being a guy, I'd just assume they were anglophiles (it's a nongender insult there)... but no it wouln't bother me.

personally, I can't stomach that word.

Personally, I use the word "->-bleeped-<-" in only an endearing way. I'd never use it as an insult. If someone called me a ->-bleeped-<-, I'd only be upset if they were using it as an attack.

Quote from: Tink on September 09, 2008, 08:25:54 PM
Personally I find it terribly insulting since it implies we are not real women or men (in the case of FTM's) but a cheap imitation.  It doesn't really matter if the person saying it is transsexual herself/himself; it just shouldn't be said to anyone IMO.  If anyone (people, friends, etc) wants/want to refer to me, please use woman or girl because that is what I am.

tink

Quote from: Northern Jane on September 10, 2008, 02:23:49 PM
If anyone ever used that word in referring to me, they would be spitting teeth! 

But then I am functionally stealth so it would be meant as a supreme insult so knocking them flat would be perfectly within the Cat-Fight rules! 

Quote from: Nichole on September 10, 2008, 12:03:17 PM
I presume that as a feminist you enjoy being called one? To be called a C**t is quite different than having one.

All of the slur terms seem mostly unredeemable to me. Yes, you may like being called a b***h but it still stings and the effect of all of those words is to lessen one's sense that the person they call a slur-term is as human as they are. That is the inevitable result of their usage. It's the reason for their usage.

We consistently "other" people with the words we use to refer to them when we don't like them or disagree with them.

That seems a simple enough thing to see given the long-history of slurs.

N~

Thank you all for articulating my own feelings so clearly.  If I am "intolerant", then I am intolerant, but I am an intolerant woman, nothing else.

Wing Walker

There is one word that I find very offensive and any woman who is Native American would and the word is 'Squaw'.  In most Tribal languages it is not a reference to a wife,  it is referencing her genitalia.  It basically is calling a Native American woman a c**t.

Thought I would add this to the list of insulting words.

Janet