11/23/10

TransAction ConVergence Survey "Who we are" results

The people who identify under transgender transsexual unbrella are now embroiled in a epic struggle to identify ourselves. This crisis has brought many splits in our community with the word 'tranny' being at the epicenter.





There are two arguments, one advocating the use of 'tranny' and one adamantly opposed to it's usage, with both sides supported with valid contentions.

One contingent of the LGBTQIA spectrum decries the usage of 'tranny' under any circumstances. This group contends that 'tranny' is a pejorative as presently understood, demeaning and demoralizing. This same contingent contends the word 'tranny' has never been accepted widely and in fact is synonymous with other pejoratives such as nigger and conveys the same negative connotations.



The other argument is for our reclaiming the word 'tranny' thereby establishing our self identity and revolting against modern conventions about the word. This component of our community also righteously calls out the most important tenets of our community, inclusiveness and respect.



In that this survey was conducted in good faith and all respondents allowed equal opportunities to voice opinions.

It is revealed that:

The majority of peoples identifying under the trans umbrella and allies find the word 'tranny' offensive when used by cisgender media since it's portrayal is enviably negative.

It my hope the people of our community who persist in it's usage and promotion take heed to there own council, respect our communities wishes and desist from this behaviour that is so harmful to us.

Full responses from survey found here

Note* All questions were allowed more than more than one response so some answers do not equal 100%.

11/22/10

Drag queen "Miss Kimberly" Parties it up at the 2010 London TDOR with a rendition of "I'm a tranny"

Drag queen "Miss Kimberly", pictured right, regaled the London 2010 TDOR with a rendition of 'I'm a woman' substituting 'tranny' for 'woman'.

Helen G at the UK based blog "Bird of Paradox" seemed to be incensed, as were as she reported, many transgender people in attendance at the vigil. In a post about the 2010 TDOR Bird of Paradox she writes
"The use of the t-word last night by the singer at the London TDoR vigil was, in my opinion, both inappropriate and insensitive. Further, to expect all those of us attending the vigil to happily join in with the singalong as though we were partying at a nightclub, was either jaw-droppingly naive or deliberately provocative."

Why should Helen Boyd be surprised that the 2010 TDOR was desecrated by this man? The attendees weren't upset when he did the same song at the 2009 TDOR. Judging by the laughter of the men room such at the 2009 TDOR like J Jaiden Geirrsson's they thought he was a riot.



The 2010 London TDOR was a party laughing it up as a cisgender man who while performing drag makes a mockery of trans folk.

Where is the spine of London's transgender community? Why is the London Trans community complacent, complicit and silent about this atrocity?

Why has the London TDOR become a drag show? The only things missing from making the London transgender Day of Remembrance a complete insult to our dead was a strip stage, pole and drinks.

Or maybe the London transgender community will reclaim the 2011 TDOR and hold a event respectful of not just the living, but the dead as well.

Up dated November 25 2010.
Corrections.
Misgendering in title.
Clarification of Miss Kimberly's gender to "cisgender man".
Helen Boyd incorrectly identified as 'Bird of Paradox' author.