Why trans is in but ->-bleeped-<- is out
To outsiders, debates over the language of transgender may seem trivial. In fact, says Roz Kaveney, linguistics is a vital battlefield
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jun/30/trans-language-transgenderAs a trans man or woman, you soon notice how many people have what Daffy Duck called 'pronoun trouble'.
No matter how supportive of your transition they claim to be, and how much well-intentioned advice they give you about your new hairstyle, or the name you always used in your head but only just told them about, they misgender you every other time they open their mouths, and get quite upset if you call them on it.
You're being too sensitive, they say, or it's too soon. Families, in particular, think it's too soon even after years. Getting your name right is a minimum requirement of respect - referring to you in the third person by the wrong pronoun means that respect is only superficial politeness.
