What's in a name?

[DebsUK]

Another forum I frequent has a big thing about the word "tranny", saying it's a hate term. I don't really have a problem with it. I can see how it could be like the "n" word, or the "P" word which is used in the UK as a pejorative for the SE Asian community, but by taking offence to the term and turning it into an issue, isn't that giving people a stick to beat you? In fact, by using it ourselves, doesn't it actually diffuse the power it would have as some sort of insult? Of course, if it's acceptable to label people as "tranny", then that kind of dehumanises and marginalises them and it could do us damage as a community or minority. Then again as Green Day said "I wanna be the minority, I don't need your authority. Down with the moral majority, 'cos I wanna be the minority"

Anyone else any thoughts?

[Sara Jessica]

I may be wrong but having seen a number of posts from your side of the pond, it seems that "tranny" has little or no negative connotation in the UK...perhaps even used at times as a term of endearment?

Personally, it's a term that I never use.

[Danielle Gee]

Personally I agree with Sara. A word that may be offensive in one place my be common in another. The important thing to remember is, it's not the word that offensive it's the attitude of the person using it!!

Danielle

[Stephanie Anne]

Respect that people take offense to this word. Stop using it without that context. If you are in a situation with other trans women or trans men and one uses it, that is situational.

The negative connotation of this word unfortunately has roots in both the porn industry and fetish dressing cultures. As such it has morphed into a slur against transsexuals.

[Natalee]

Personally, I think classifying "hate-speech", is horribly detrimental to society; in a big-brother style of trying to manage it's "stupid" people.

I feel everybody should have free right to express even views I may find hateful, dangerous, or just in bad taste.

This allows me (and others) to INSTANTLY determine that a person is not worth my time, politely excuse myself, and to keep them AWAY from my family. Instead finding out months later, or after hiring the person... I support the full freedom of though and speech of even the biggest jerks..

[Sapphire]

"Tranny" is a diminutive, sounds somewhat flippant and is also very specific, whereas "transgendered" covers a multitude of in between situations, including those where what's involved extends beyond the dressing aspect. Nonetheless I would not regard the word "tranny" as pejorative and it does have a lighthearted ring to it.

[suzy1]

Tranny is a hate or an insulting word here in the U.K.
Therefore I personally don’t like it.
It’s like saying paki instead of Pakistani. How horrible is that!


SUZY

[Cynthia Anne]

I was told by a policeman that if I wasn't a queer than I must be a tranny trying to sell it! I didn't let him get to me and ignored his remarks! Needless to say, I've never liked the word, but after what you wrote I will look at it differently! A big THANK YOU!

[Gina X]

My son often refers to me as a tranny or people I correspond with as my tranny friends he means it lightheartedly and that is how I receive it. I've brought him up to respect people and their pejoratives and in fact the only people he doesn't have time for are the bigots of this world. I agree with the trend of the majority of this thread if we take exception to the word we will probably make a rod for our own backs. There is also a case for allowing for "the two nations divided by a common language" and not using words where they could cause problems, or in the words of the enlightened "use some common sense".......................

[Sara Jessica]

Tranny is a hate or an insulting word here in the U.K.

Thanks for clarifying that Suzy. Since I posted, I recalled what it was that I have heard repeatedly...the use of the word "transvestite" to describe one's self. Now that I'm sure of, that I hear it used much more in the UK than over here. If I considered myself a crossdresser, I'd state as such rather than use TV, transvestite, etc.

[Loni]

words are just words.
here as a white person, i can not say the "N" word, but blacks can call them selves it all day and night long. with no problem.
and now calling some one a muslam is a problem. even if they are one.
hate is a thought not a crime.
actions can be a crime.
as for using words there are two ways to use most any word. such as "but". spelled just a tad different and a web filter removes it, said in a different way and it can be a "problem" to someone, or just a body part to most. and other words are spelled the same but said in a different way, can be good or bad.

as for me i do not like the word tranny..sounds more like a car part to me. i am a cross dresser. to those not in the know they could say the wrong word and just not know the difference. so i just wait till they use it in the "wrong" way and try to correct them. some will understand others will not. such is life.
but then i just travel in my little circle and not very far from home so it is different in other places, many words in the english language are in such a way said and ment different in many places. some words are used in there proper way have many meanings, then there is the slang for the proper word, and then there is true made up slang.
so as a world wide thing "this web" we need to figure out were one is on the planet and if a word is used wrong to us just let the "other" person know about our use of said word. and the same the other way.
as for at home in our part of the world, some will learn. some will refuse to learn.

just my 2 and 1/2 cents worth, plus tax to the obama.

Loni

.

[t-girlxsophie]

My best friend and fellow CDer uses the "tranny" word to describe us,and there's no way I would let her call anyone by a word,that I thought was derogatory,though i know it could be used in the negative.I would say that here in the UK "tranny" is more often used and more acceptable,and believe me there's plenty more odious terms to describe Crossdressers out there

:hugs:Sophie

[eluuzion]

I prefer to be adressed as HOE. (Human Orientation Engineer) lol.

"See that "gurl" over there? I think she is a HOE."

Now, doesn't that sound much better than "tranny"? :heehee:

Actually, I look at the Tranny word this way...Many of the people fond of the term are only familiar with "Tranny" and "*******" and maybe "he/she" as labels for this community. So I extend a little tolerance to those that are intellectually challenged in this area, lol.

If they are simply grasping the only familiar label they understand, I am fine. I do not view things from a "victim" perspective, nor do I feel compelled to be a warrior for gender issues whenever I encounter something that differs from my perception of the world.

Now, if somebody tosses a rock or a fist my way...I'm going to defend myself and resolve that battle quickly...:heehee:

I barely understand all of the definitions, terms, categories, variations, and acronyms myself. So I have no place in barking at others about terminology and labels that work for them...
:love::love:

[Joanne f]

When you have someone wind down the window in the car and shout out "Tranny" you know they are not being affectionate towards you , it is used as an insult over here .

[Kate Simmons]

Call me anything but "late for dinner". At least it means we are making an impression. If we expect others to mollycoddle us, we have another think coming.:)

[alice clair]

Back in the seventies i had an old ford with a busted four speed {tranny} does that count.Have a fem day.

[DebsUK]

Some interesting opinions. I don't think you can compare tranny to the "n" word. That IS an insulting word with the awful history associated with it going back to slavery. Context is everything in terms of tranny as well, between friends in this environment it's OK, but as Joanne has had it hurled at her from a passing car no one can argue it's not a term of abuse. Then again if it wasn't "tranny" it would be something else they would have used equally nasty because of the mass of hatred behind it.

[Vickie_CDTV]

A friend and I were talking about this once, and I think her feelings sum it up pretty well. Some folks are incapable of understanding the context in which a word is used, or are just looking to be offended. There is a big difference between someone using "tranny" who is holding a knife, and a friend referring to us as being "trannies".

[2SpeedTranny]

I think if you go around looking to be offended all the time, you'll get what you want.

It's like in that movie, "The Secret." You tend to get what you expect to get. If you expect insults, you'll get insults. If you expect trouble, you'll get that.

No one has a right to not be offended. Sadly, people who think they have that right never seem to realize that they do their own share of the offending.