The New Transgender Reality

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  • Posted By: AbbyJ @ 09/18/2008 11:17:50 AM

    The word "transgender" is an adjective or a noun. I am a transgender woman or, less preferably, a transgender. I am not transgendered, any more than homosexual (I know, I don't like that word either) men and women are gayed or lesbianed. Transgender is not a process; it is a state of being, an identity. Proper use of language would go a long way to helping the public see that we are people just like them, working for the same employers, living in the same neighborhoods and trying to live our lives in peace.

  • Posted By: AbbyJ @ 09/18/2008 11:14:03 AM

    The word "transgender" is an adjective, or less preferably, a noun. I am a transgender woman or a transgender. I am not transgendered, any more than homosexual (I know, I don't like that word either) men or women are gayed or lesbianed. Transgender is not a process, it is a state of being, an identity. Proper use of language would go a long way to helping to educate the public that we are not evil demons or perverts, but people just like them who live in their neighborhoods and work in the same places they do and simply want to live our lives in peace.

  • Posted By: Boudica26 @ 09/18/2008 8:56:30 AM

    I think that some commenters are missing the big picture...a little boy is dead. My heart goes out to his family and friends for their loss. I don't think it his is about GOD at all..but about mankind and womankind accepting the diversity in our species. A long time ago their was an ad on tv about prejudice. A little boy was fishing with his grandpa and told him "my friend Jimmy says I have prejudice". Grandpa asked who Jimmy was, and the little boy said "My Jewish friend". Grandpa said "well you are predjudiced, because you see Jimmy as your "JEWISH FRIEND" and not just your FRIEND". Same idea..new prejudice.

  • Posted By: thoushaltnothate @ 09/18/2008 8:28:32 AM

    "Teach your children good,clean,morals"? Yes, that's right, teach them to hate what's different, teach them to taunt and hurt. Your Jesus would be ashamed.

  • Posted By: Slayeress @ 09/18/2008 12:11:02 AM

    God loves everyone, no matter if your'e straight, gay, or transgendered. Get OVER it. Thanks.

  • Posted By: Slayeress @ 09/18/2008 12:09:44 AM

    God loves everyone, no matter if your straight, gay, or transgendered. So get the f*** over it you freaks.

  • Posted By: ew2177 @ 09/18/2008 12:02:33 AM

    I am Christian woman and I love what Isis represents...diversity. There is no way she could make it in this world as a man without much criticism and scrutiny. Just look at her...she has very feminine and soft features. There is nothing manly about her and she should do well in the competition. Those who exert their prejudice against her are afraid that they would see her in the street and be attracted to her, only to find out that she is genetically male! They are afraid of their own homosexual thoughts or those of their family members. If you are a real christian then you would follow Christ's example and model an upstanding life that would encourage people to emulate you; not condemn those who are different. Jesus kept the company of sinners and chastised the Pharisees for being self righteous and esteemed. Sin is sin so look at your own life and make sure your salvation is guaranteed not in ritual but in action.

  • Posted By: ZekeMarlie @ 09/17/2008 6:45:04 PM

    I started reading you article because it sounded interesting. I like to read about this type of stuff because it's interesting to see how people that are different by choice and against the grain are accepted. I mean transgendered not the gays or lesbians, to avoid getting caught up on the born with it argument. Anyways now that I have the inflamortory stuff out of the way to make everything i say from this point seem stupid and pointless I'll get to my point. I thought with the talk reality tv employing social experiements and all you would go somewhere cool, actually making a valid point about how reality tv is vile. Instead you showed your true colours and actually praised reality tv, though not directly saying it but implying it. "There are real people reacting in real and unexpected ways" is what you wrote and I mean come on. That was your back up for your argument that they have sparked argument and conversation on how we see gays and transgenders. Since you write for newsweek and obviously educated, I can't for a second imagine that you actually believe that. I mean, I'm a straght male and I can tell you that people aren't becoming more accepting of gay people. I mean the mere fact that we still use that distinction and have to make the point of differing the two show how far behind we really are. And do you really think that if this Isis wins a reality tv show that when that gay man that that has a spaghetti top on and make up will be accepted by the man that just saw a polished fully operated man to woman win a competion. And yes that is what your article is point too.

    • Posted By: thundering @ 09/17/2008 9:28:40 PM

      While these shows are most likely casting transgendered (and homosexual for that matter) people for controversy and "good TV", you fail to realize that mere exposure to these people breeds a comfort in familiarity. And the simple fact that these shows are bringing these people into so many lives, whether they hate them or relate to them, is commendable no matter the intent.

  • Posted By: thundering @ 09/17/2008 9:12:25 PM

    @Zeke
    While these shows are most likely casting transgendered people for controversy and "good TV", not unlike homosexuals in the past and present, you are failing to realize that mere exposure to these people breeds comfort in familiarity. And the fact that these shows are bringing these people into so many lives when no one else is willing, whether you hate them or relate to them, is a commendable action, regardless of intent.

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