This is a huge bonfire, where swarms of DUmmies argue about acceptable and unacceptable ways to speak with perverts of every stripe and flavor. Wait, strike that reference to "flavor".
JackBeck (1000+ posts) Sun Apr-24-11 07:54 PM
Original message
There has been a lot of transgender bigotry around here the past few days.
First, the term 'transgendered' is not how the community commonly refers to themselves. Using the past-tense of transgender implies that someone has completed sex reassignment therapy (SRT). Most trans people will never experience a completed transition due to how expensive the process is and because insurance doesn't cover the entire cost. Or they may simply chose not to engage in SRT. The choice is entirely up to the individual. Using phrases like 'sex change' should also be avoided due to its focus on the surgical aspect of SRT. Transitioning for trans people is more than just an alignment of their genitals with their gender.
Secondly, calling a trans man or trans woman 'not truly' or 'not entirely' female or male is extremely offensive to a trans person. Trans individuals run the spectrum of gender alignment and just because one doesn't 'pass' for their gender identity as well as someone else may 'pass' doesn't make them any less male or female.
Another thing to avoid is speculating whether or not a trans person is merely someone just cross-dressing to access a bathroom in order to sexually assault someone. This tactic has been used more and more over the past few years by anti-LGBT organizations to scare people to vote against trans-inclusive legislation. The main reason why the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) did not pass last year was because it was held-up by the right wing over bathroom language on how to accommodate trans people in bathrooms and changing rooms.
Again, I think most people have been acting in good faith and have been mostly sensitive to the trans woman attacked at the Baltimore County McDonald's. But moving forward, let's be more aware of the language we use and its possible implications.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x953864When the legislation most important to you is held up by "bathroom language", that's a pretty good sign you're a pervert.
FreeState (1000+ posts) Sun Apr-24-11 08:03 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. I counted over 10 in Just one thread alone
There were a lot of posts the last few days that were over the top disgusting and hateful towards the Trans community. DU has a history of problems when it comes to the Trans community. It has gotten a lot better than it use to be but there is a lot of work still to do on understanding and viewing our trans brothers and sisters as 100% equal even here on DU.
The Philosopher (453 posts) Sun Apr-24-11 11:33 PM
Response to Reply #34
48. The Doctor
You imply that there hasn't been any form of discrimination or "form of intolerance" against the LGBT community, using the phrase "Name one DUer." As if the mods have never had to delete posts, ban users, or that there hasn't been a discussion between the LGBT community here at DU and Skinner about the hard and soft bigotry among the membership of the site; and the mistakes made by the Admins and mods (and users). It's disgusting to use a hyperbole ("...most GLBT friendly sites on Earth.") to wash away the LGBT community's history here.
"Hard and soft bigotry"?? I really hate the term, but here it is: Eeeewwww.
Danger Mouse (1000+ posts) Sun Apr-24-11 08:20 PM
Response to Reply #9
16. To say nothing of people referring to Ann Coulter as a man..
As a moderator, I've removed posts like that a LOT. And not from trolls, but from longtime DUer's who don't realize that saying those kinds of things is quite hurtful.
The Doctor. (1000+ posts) Sun Apr-24-11 10:47 PM
Response to Reply #9
37. It was an excellent OP. You'll get no argument there.
Calling people who simply don't know that the past tense of 'transgender' means something particular 'bigoted' or 'homophobic' is entirely intolerant of you.
Not everyone invests themselves in understanding protocols they are not familiar with. Why? Because they didn't know there was a protocol to begin with.
Is that something like the "democrat party"?
JackBeck (1000+ posts) Sun Apr-24-11 11:37 PM
Response to Reply #47
49. Bigotry exists on multiple levels.
Would you agree or disagree that someone can be a bigot without knowing they are one?
Years ago I used the past-tense of transgender and completely realize now that I was a trans bigot for doing so.
As cisgender individuals, our unearned non-trans privilege allows us to perpetrate bigotry even when we think we are not being offensive. As long as we acknowledge we're on a path to greater learning and acceptance, we can then work on minimizing our own internal bigotries.
Holy cow! They've taken chemistry beyond their drug habits! Now they have both trans- and cis- genders! Perverted stereoisomers! Does this mean they have to add a "C" to their alphabet soup of sexual perversions? Are they the LBGTQPDSMBC....community? LS/MFT.
Fire1 (1000+ posts) Sun Apr-24-11 08:12 PM
Response to Original message
12. So we should refer to a trans male as female and vice versa?
Seems easier not to say anything at all.
It's all so confusing! What should we call them?
Where I come from, "weirdo" always worked. I guess now "democrat" would be okay.
JackBeck (1000+ posts) Sun Apr-24-11 10:06 PM
Response to Reply #12
28. Someone who was assigned the sex of 'male' at birth by a doctor
but who now identifies as a female is a transgender female, or may simply identify as female.
If a person was assigned the sex of female at birth, but now identifies as male, they are a transgender man, or may identify as male.
Ultimately, we should just mirror back to someone how they identify to us.
JANdad (1000+ posts) Sun Apr-24-11 10:22 PM
Response to Reply #28
32. I'm sorry....doctors "assign" gender?
I could have sworn that the little bits between the legs determined ones gender????? I cannot keep up anymore....
JANdad (1000+ posts) Sun Apr-24-11 10:44 PM
Response to Reply #35
36. So one having been born with a penis does not automatically
a male make?
JackBeck (1000+ posts) Sun Apr-24-11 10:49 PM
Response to Reply #36
38. No.
It appears you have a lot to learn about gender identity and gender expression. Plus, someone who is presenting with genitals attributed to one particular sex may also be intersex.
Aaarrrrgh! Intersex! Now we have to add an "I" to the DUmp's alphabet soup of perversions!!
JackBeck (1000+ posts) Sun Apr-24-11 11:31 PM
Response to Reply #40
46. The fact that you don't distinguish between sexuality and gender
makes me question your "fairly well qualified to answer some of them" caveat.
This DUmmy JackBeck is becoming one of the uppity-type of troublemaker homo that ends up whining with the smug snots at OET.
Aerows (937 posts) Sun Apr-24-11 11:00 PM
Response to Original message
39. Thank you for the information
I'm a lesbian, and would never intentionally wish to offend anyone in the transgender community, but even I didn't know there was a difference between using the terms transgendered and transgender. I certainly didn't know it was offensive.
JackBeck (1000+ posts) Sun Apr-24-11 11:11 PM
Response to Reply #39
41. As a white, non-trans gay male
I work very hard to keep my own privileges in check so that I can continue to be a true social justice advocate. I've made mistakes too, no one is perfect, and have seen anti-trans attitudes even within our own community.
blondeatlast (1000+ posts) Sun Apr-24-11 11:57 PM
Response to Original message
61. Very proud to say a recent DU guest was 86ed yesterday for the silly, paranoid bathroom
thing and the obvious hatred for a particular gender.
DUmmies are especially sensitive to any restrictions placed on bathroom activities.
To most DUmp democrats, public bathrooms are romantic destinations.
It's where they go to find their "partners".
flvegan (1000+ posts) Mon Apr-25-11 12:12 AM
Response to Original message
76. Jack, I've long considered you my friend.
I think your OP is dead spot on. It's a shame that we've seen some of THE responses here. I don't doubt that you didn't expect stupidity. I hope that morons don't cause you to shy away from making these posts when you do
.
JackBeck (1000+ posts) Mon Apr-25-11 12:33 AM
Response to Reply #76
90. The feeling is mutual, brother.
Truth be told, right after I posted the OP I remarked to the hubby, 'let the hate parade begin.'
For the seond time in one thread, "Eeeewwww."
