The word 'Tranny'

[Amy A]

Hi all,

This might rock the boat a bit but I'm wondering how members feel about the use of the word 'tranny'. I've seen it used here quite frequently recently and to my mind it's a derogatory word, used most frequently by cis gendered people who wish to make us the butt of a joke or objectify trans people in some way. There's a couple of good articles on it here:

http://www.bilerico.com/2008/09/is_tranny_offensive.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lance-bass/why-we-shouldnt-use-the-word-tranny_b_1168078.html

Let me be clear, I'm not trying to police what people say, just open up a debate about the word and what it means to us. Personally every time I read here it I wince slightly, and I never use it myself.

Thoughts?

[Angela Campbell]

It can be used as a derogatory term or it could be used as a term of endearment. Just like the word bitch. It's all in how you say it.

[BOBBI G.]

As Angela said, it is in the use and who is using it at the time. Similar to the "N" word. Some use it and it is derogatory and for some use it is not.

Bobbi

[Anna H]

I'm not too fond of the word.

For years before computers, the rare place to find
any remotely updated literature was adult book stores.
So it always had a sexual connotation, as the literature
wasn't the sort of stuff to learn much from.

It was a way to see and know others were out there, and
somewhat increasing in numbers...although very slow-slowly.

Local library was out...never know which elderly helpful
lady would pop up right next to you....and I didn't dare
be seen in that section of the library anyway.

CD is my preferred term. I don't fit in any box, but that's
the closest as far as fitting in somewhere.

Dressing up isn't always some horny/sexy thing for everyone.
It's more peaceful and relaxing for me. But I'll never be
able to associate the word with anything but what I'd seen
for years in the past.

On some other forums, the younger people appear to prefer
CD as well. They'll be the ones calling the next gen of us
whatever they settle on. 'Labels' change in time.

:happy: Kate

PS...sorry if i posted in the wrong place. I'm only a day old here!
:rose: ♥ Kate

[I Am Paula]

I find those within our community use it more amongst ourselves than by anyone else. I refer to myself as a Vintage Tranny, but only to my friends.

[KayleeTaylor]

I only use it because I am too lazy to type the word transmission :)

[sweetshauna]

I'm tending to agree with Almostalady, and BobbiG on this one.

[Lilo]

I hate all labels. This condition does not define me. I am a person, one that is unique, that has her own issues but also can kick butt on many others. When you label yourselves, you cage yourselves under some fictional boundary and this limits you. I avoid all labels myself.

[Ineke Vashon]

Just another label, can be ignored. Like a car salesman calling a car a 'baby'. "I can let you have this baby for......" Or calling your SO "honey". She wasn't made by bees. Oops, of course, the birds and the bees.

My bad,
Ineke

[Katie Oxford]

It's not a big deal for me either. Personally, I and my partner (who are the only people with any need to know about me and this - well, except for you lovely people, obviously) will happily use the word 'tranny' between us to refer to both myself and others; we will also happily use the word in conversation with others - to me the diminutive helps imply comfortableness with the topic, used appropriately. Labels can be useful tools, but one should wear them very lightly.

I'm aware that there are people who have big problems with the word. In particular, I recall an extended episode on another crossdressing forum where a poster went so far as to describe herself as having a "phobia" of the word and to protest whenever the word was used. That made for a strained atmosphere for a while, as an unstoppable force met an immoveable object. Without wishing to comment on that particular case, which raised ill-feeling at the time which is now best left undisturbed, it does go to show that this particular term (or indeed any other that someone has a bad reaction to) can become controversial.

Edit: Now, having posted, I spot that this post is in the Transsexual Forum, not the Male to Female Crossdressing Forum where I had thought that it was. I don't think that this distinction changes anything that I wanted to write, but I can well imagine that some of those who don't return to manliness afterwards might be more sensitive.

[Keri L]

I think many transgender folks have co-opted the word, thus taking away some of its negative power. I do not typically use the word, but I am not offended, if a sister uses it jokingly, and sparingly.

I have seen the same thing with homosexuals. Some call each other "fag" as a way to make light of that derogatory term, and therefore take away some of its sting.

Cate

[LeaP]

Eh - used to bother me. Not so much anymore. I agree with Angela.

[Angela Campbell]

Damn...too many agreeing with me....I need to rethink

[Vanessa Rose]

I hope the administrator yells at me again. It is like 5 hour energy except she is beautious!!! :daydreaming::daydreaming::battingeyelashes::batti ngeyelashes:

I thought the English used "Transvestite" Tranny vs American "Crossdresser."

Kinda rhymes with Vanny the Tranny or Big Fanny or .....

Vanny

[Angela Campbell]

tranny tranny bo banny
bananna fanna fo fanny
fee fi mo manny

tranny!

[gonegirl]

Angela - did your surgeon give you extra happy pills? ;^)

Nice Avatar BTW. You look great.

Forgot to say - When cis people use the term Tranny it usually has a negative or ignorant connotation. I sometimes use the term in an irreverent fashion when in the company of other, ahem, Trannies. I think I do that as a way of taking ownership and reducing it's negative power.

[vallerie lacy]

Well, it's nice to see some of us still have a sense of humor. I never noticed anyone using "tranny" in a negative way, but than I wasn't looking for it. I guess we're all a little sensitive to something. I personally never liked that song about bananas and fannies.

[docrobbysherry]

Tranny and gay don't bother me. But, call Sherry fat or ugly? That mite hurt my feelings!

[Carla Stevens]

Personally I don't like the word 'Tranny' & don't like it being used to describe me. I find it a demeaning & derogatory term along with '*******', 'Ladyboy', 'Chick with a Dick' & 'He/She'.

Edit: Interestingly even the forum finds one of these words offensive as it seems to have replaced my text with '*******' :straightface:

[Sarah Marie]

I love when people (who don't really even know about the TG world) use "tranny" when talking about transmissions in their cars. Plus! They refer to it with female pronouns! "Gotta get the tranny replaced in the Dodge! She's shot!" I just laugh to myself. As far as its use in the TG world, it depends on who is using it and the context. We used to call male admirers "tranny chasers"

[TeresaL]

I don't like the word "ambiguous" when describing gender or clothing, provided that the presenter is expressing themselves as a woman. I find it degrading when a medical person writes in my healthcare journal that I am in "ambiguous dress." That's when I'm wearing a woman's sweater, women's slacks, and women's shoes. I ought to go in fishnets, miniskirt, and nine inch spikes next time. LOL.

Ambiguous is such a let down. It's an N word. Might as well call me freak. But it's just fine for those who intend to be ambiguous. Otherwise it's mis-gendering.

Same with "tranny." If it's intended, then no problem. I've found folks who address themselves as tranny. ;-) Otherwise, it's a problem and should be corrected, as should any wrongly used adjective. Labeling though is a slippery subject, and should belong to the beholder. That's the person who owns it or rejects it.

[Bunny Girl Zoe]

Hate that name as find it insulting.

[KellyJameson]

If you walked up to a woman and called her a "tranny" would it be considered rude ?

How would a woman feel about being called a tranny ?

[TeresaL]

That's it Kelly. Calling a woman "tranny" can be upsetting. How would a GG respond to being called "tranny." OTOH, how would a GG respond if you called her ambiguous?

[TrishaMarie]

I have always believed words are just words. Some are better than others, but it is really the tone in how they are used to me which matters most.

[ArleneRaquel]

I agree with Sherry. I have been called tranny, gay, & the "F" word. I just consider the source.

[PaulaQ]

I use the word to describe myself. It doesn't bother me when used by another trans person, either, to describe themselves or to refer to me.

If you are cis-gendered and say it, you won't much like what I say back to you in turn. (Or you better be a very close friend.)

I view it in the same way the "N" word is used. When used by a black person, it is a way to take back power over a terrible word with an awful legacy. When a white person says it though, it is a mortal insult.

[Laurie Ann]

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. I try to consider the source before making any judgements regarding words.

[Leah Lynn]

The original manuscript was "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words shall forever haunt me." If used in a hurtful manner, yes, I'm offended. used amongst our own, I'm okay with it. My SO and her best friend could not say two sentences to each other without using the word "b!tch". So, it can be used as an endearing word between friends. I will only use it as such if the other is good with it.

Leah

[Frances]

I only tolerate it coming from trans people.

[ArleneRaquel]

By very homophobic next door neighbor has called me " a spirtual f*g on a number of occasions, never to my face. When I heard him say it the first time, and a few times thereafter, I was very upset/ How people can be so rude & hateful is something that is beyond my ken.

[Nigella]

Not a TS specific topic and there is no right or wrong, thread done