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Another offering from the Guardian (where else?), wondering when they start to call it the TG Times. It does have some interesting elements as well as the pro and con comments afterwards.
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/aug/23/famous-transg...
Comments
Article.
Definitely an interesting article along with some great info.
I think, as good as it gets with Transwomen and men there will still be a higher incidence of murder. For suicide I truly believe it will get better but I think it will be slightly elevated always, at least with a Western mentality. One of the false ideas that has constantly been bandied about the conscious and sub-conscious especially is valuing gender so much, at least to proscribed personality traits. Granted some of those tendencies might be heightened in some fashion but the Gender spectrum of personality traits is highly androgynous. In the end, the values we prize above all else tend to be 99% of the time gender neutral.
I had no idea on hormone treatment that with NHS. I'm of the inclination(I know I will get shit for this), that depending on the sexual orientation spectrum should effect whether they are accepted in taking hormones before puberty. If a Transgirl is Lesbian or Bi I think that as soon as sperm production starts it should be tested for viability then if it's good store it away for viability. After this, give her the hormones with no reservations.
Meanwhile, I think the eggs are already viable before puberty, so a Transboy can have the eggs stored and take the hormones.
Before anyone here tells me medical science will figure out a solution I don't trust the viability of their solution over the natural status of procreational implements in the body. In other words, I don't trust any solutions medical science will give for making same sex procreation a possibility and expect immense drawbacks.
Depends on why they are famous.
If they are famous for acting out, then no.
If they are famous for helping people, or inventing something that helps people, then yes.
Agreed
Famous people are like BFGs. They are good if they are pointed in the right direction and aimed properly. That said, the jaded public needs a BFG pointed at them to get the discussion going, instead of mere dismissal of T folks as mere 'fringe' elements they can treat according to their whims.
Once, the discussion is properly framed, it is an opportunity to have a more nuanced discussion of our relevancy in their lights. Then, lo and behold, there are suddenly all these t-folks seem to pop out at them even though they have always been there, who live life in normal fashion; not fringe entertainers, randy, sex obsessed 'weirdos', 'perverts' etc.
The celebrity to me is like in the US where around tax time, there are people dressed up in statue of liberty costumes to grab attention and steer these punters to the 'Liberty Tax Service'.
Here is an example of what I am talking about.
I am glad you agree.
If you want to discuss a famous transgender, I would pick someone that is productive and is successful in the right way.
For example, Lana Wachowski. Yes, of the Wachowskis that did the Matrix movies.
Lana only made her transition public, because she had not other choice. But otherwise, she has take her politics on the matter of transgender causes in a constructive form. She does so in a entertaining, constructive manner, that is not in someone's face.
For example, one of her current works, with her brother Andy Wachowki, and JMS (the man that did Babylon Five), and their series, Sense8.
Yes. Sense8 is a very strange series. But, the series is very well put together. And Lana uses that series as a way to present LGBT issues. But, she does so in a way that acknowledged the issues with having those issues overshadow the series. Which is very well done.
The Observer Magazine ...
... today followed up with another TG article and featured Caitlyin Jenner on the cover. (of course the Observer is the Sunday Guardian, I guess). I suppose Jenner is famous but I'd never heard of her here in the UK until recently but then, there's a whole host of celebrities I've never heard of and she joins the multitude :)
TG people are certainly in the news right now and certainly in my newspaper of choice. I suppose if it makes them appear as normal members of society then that's good. I also belong to other minority groups ( sailor, cyclist and aeromodeller to name 3) as do lots of other people - probably most for all I know - who are regarded as merely slightly eccentric by the majority.
Thankfully, the days when April Ashley's story would be serialised in a sleazy Sunday paper (the News of the World in 1961ish) are over and the current crop are semi serious pieces and not sensationalist. Things have changed a lot.
As to fame, then surely Angharad, as an author of renown, should be able to speak to the issue :)
Rob
It does get people talking…
…which isn't guaranteed to help but is a start. Sometimes we don't recognise our internal ugliness until we open our mouths and display it to the world - I never realised I was racist until I heard myself patronisingly defending a boyfriend of another race who was quite capable of defending himself. That moment changed me and I hope that something similar will occur among those recently prompted to discuss gender and transitioning. Unfortunately the recent publicity concentrates on those who are famous for being famous as a woman not for what they have done as a woman (unlike your Cathy in Easy As Falling Off A Bike who sometimes behaves in ways we would all like to be able to behave while only incidentally having transitioned).
A dilemma exists as, unlike a skin colour difference which can't be missed, many women who have transitioned fit in and want no more than to fit in. At a time when some of those born transgender are in the news in a positive way it might be tempting to ‘go public’ but what will happen when one we have been publicly aligned with does something appalling?
Rhona McCloud
I think they do> They give us
I think they do> They give us more visibility and force people to realize that we exist.
The "Cause"
Here's what The Human Rights Campaign says on their site, "As more and more transgender people share their stories, the public’s understanding of gender identity and expression builds. HRC works to educate the public and provide a range of resources on issues that transgender and gender nonconforming people face—from workplace discrimination, to securing identity documents, to finding culturally competent healthcare, to family and parenting issues, to combating violence—and to advocate for full inclusion and equality."
I was watching Caitlyn's cable show two nights ago with trepidation. In a way she comes across as a light weight, so VERY concerned about her appearance. But . . . where else would a group of transwomen discussing their issues be given such a positive profile?
When a celebrity becomes a figurehead, it's very possible it will become all about her and not about the "cause". Let's hope she realizes how horrible cynical she will be seen if she fails to accurately and positively promote the "cause".
Jill
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Surprising...
That such a worthless gossip rag of a channel like E! would air anything positive that would potentially move things forward. Man I hate E!
On being a woman
It remains to be seen if she stays with the transgender card. For me trans-gender meant changing, and when I was done changing, I insistently concluded that I was a woman full stop.
Last night I saw a woman who had been a man, Lana Wachowski who, in my opinion passed in every way until she opened her mouth ...
So, for me voice is the key element, and I doubt that there are many of us who can not attain a woman's voice. Word choices, upspeak, no frying, and several other elements are very important. Without it your presentation is damaged. Pitch while important, is not the factor that kills it. Ms Jenner has the money to do this.
Gwen
Well...
Unfortunately, some people are tone deaf. And as such, some people have difficulty with pitch control.
And while voice can be important. It is not the be all to end all of such situations.
I believe manners and tact are likely the most important part. Nothing can be accomplished, if people cannot stand being with someone for more than thirty seconds.
Jazz
Been watching this GIRL since see was about 7 or 8 now she has a TV show about being trans teenage girl , dating , going into high school and being a girl with the wrong plumbing . CUTE show