The national pasttime used to be baseball. Now it's getting offended, or worse, being offended on behalf of others (offended by proxy). I have no objection to being called a tranny, TV, CDer, T-girl, or a sissy. But if you don't want to be called any of those, I wouldn't if I knew it would offend you. What I object to is the idea that if you don't like a word, nobody is allowed to use it, even to describe themselves.
"Tranny" is not different than any other word meant to describe a person; sexuality, nationality, ethnicity,etc. Used within the group it may be considered OK. Even used by someone outside the group it may be considered OK as long as it is a term of endearment. The "N" word comes to mind.
So, if I were out and about in a dress, hosiery, heels, wig and makeup and I encounter a sister, dressed or not dressed, and, s/he says with a smile "You're a tranny, too!" I would not take offense. If I were to get a sneer and nasty words I would take offense due to the hostility displayed. It's the same with the usage of gay or lesbian.
When there is universality against a word, such as the "N" word, then I would caution using it period. Usage of the "N" word within certain communities seems to be acceptable, but, it is also frowned on by everyone outside the community because it reminds people of societies once exploitation and denigration of a race. The word gay and lesbian has mixed reviews so far because there does not seem to be another word to explain the sexuality of the relationship. To me the term "tranny" has a negative connotation in society. Too many people are ignorant about the meaning of the term.
Until I perused and then joined this site I only considered myself a cross dresser, not a "tranny." I, and, I mean I, do not consider myself a "tranny" or even "transgendered." Frankly, there are too many shades of grey in our world.
I generally only get offended if i sense someone is trying
to be offensive....or condescending.
My own little nag is i hate to be called "sweetie". But i get
it all the time and i know it's intended fondly, so i accept
it as intended.
Words mean different things to different people, but it's usually
pretty easy for me to tell if they're trying to be rude.
If i came across a pink belt with "tranny" emblazoned in rhinestones,
I'd buy it in a heartbeat...(and wear it too!) lol!
I am in the crowd where an individual word is basically meaningless to me. Call me whatever you want. If you mean it harshly that is your problem and not mine. I am so sick of the political correctness you have no idea. It has moved us backwards by a long way, not forward. How is it forward when we are beginning to be afraid to talk to people at all in fears of offending them????? Our biggest national holiday is Christmas and yet many are afraid to say Merry Christmas.... this does not compute.....
Chickens should be allowed to cross the road without having their motives questioned
Maybe I was wrong in the way I put, I admit. It all depends on social settings, who says is it, what tone is used, etc. Even ladies do refer to themselves as "hens" sometimes and that's not meant to offend. Conclusion from my point: just ANYTHING can be offensive depending on settings. Can we agree on that? Now it's us who feels /decides what is an insult, isn't it? I know I'm here dancing on very thin thin ice, because it's very hard to detach yourself from denomination of spoken language, but it a "way out" of the inside-box-thinking.Originally Posted by Kimberly Kael
It's all the same game... Just think of it. In your reply you referred to me as "part-timer". Like someone who doesn't understand, because I don't live full time, I'm not a TS, (god knows why?). You see, that might be just another judgement you did without knowing me, not knowing what I went through in my life for being different. So did i get offended? To be sincere, first I did. But then I realize only if people stop being touchy a start to listen and open their mind for new ideas a change can happen.
I can't say how much I agree with you. I think that's the main thing to address in this dilema.
Many people here get my intention wrong and I have a feeling you demonstrated it. I mean positive sense, not as an offense (eye-opener). I'm not here to say what is right / wrong. I'm just suggesting "It's time to de-demonize "tranny" term". It's a discussion that can or may have not change anything. Maybe it will just leave few personal imprint memories. But if people agree it's a peaceful way for any change.
I find your reply up to the point and mature. THUMBS UP!
From my personal view it's not the word that offenses you, but the approach of the person and what he thinks of you. In your example it was a guy who wanted to get into your panties. Sure his approach was not very "romantic", but the point where it hurts you (at least from what I understand) is you being sad because he doesn't see primarily woman in you + not behaving properly. So I'm saying it's us who reflects / reacts on outside world. And we (even myself) get hurt sometimes because we expect to be understood.
As harsh as it sounds... While I do admit a TS person might be vulnerable to be hurt more (on multiple levels) , I think the victimization is a common problem. Michelle., I'm not saying necessarily it's your case. A man or woman. it's a dog-eats-dog world. Regardless of sex, race or bellief. What makes some people special in my humble opinion is ability to cope, survive and even learn and get stronger.
LOL, this one made me laugh. True, I agree that at the end this is not going to solve any TG issues. But, what I like it gives you interesting opinions, and even more after reading some replies and thinking them over it can expand your horizons.
Thanks katey, that sums it pretty well. A perspective from both sides (mine and for example Kimberly's) .I think Kimberly is being misinterpreted now... she didn't imply part-timers (that's me - mos' def...) are lesser beings... she observed - quite correctly - that most part-timers are able to pick and choose where and when they do things en femme, thus being able to avoid times and places where real world stigma may come out in an insulting or damaging way... I have no qualms accepting that this is much easier for me to deal with than anyone going 24/7 - I have the deepest admiration and respect for all those that do and I think we should all try to understand how difficult it must be living with those potential slurs each and every day...
On a serious note about labels - or communities of people, really.... Groups and their names are how we express commonality and solidarity towards those with whom we share something... It can be a family - it can be a tribe, a country, a football team... At some point - not dissimilar to the LGB community - we, however we want to define the we as a community, will have to be prepared to compromise our individual preference and bias and accept something that we can all feel a part of... If we are never prepared to compromise as individuals, we will only ever exist as a fragmented and fractionalised minority.
Some of you probably don't care about that - but I think Betty started this with a perspective that says: if you refuse to be insulted by any particular name or description, then that name loses it's power - it's particularly powerful politically, if a group can reclaim that word for their own purposes, as has happened to a degree with the n-word.
If people are not prepared to accept new or majority definitions, it probably doesn't hurt us individually, but it surely does make it harder to gain acceptance and understanding across the broader community... not that I expect we'll always agree on anything here, but wouldn't it be nice...?? Wouldn't it be a start...??
Katey x
Very good observation. It's happening right now for the term "tranny". That's how I feel. The more demonised, the more of T-word it becomes .
BTW: I can you imagine this in near future:
Person1: Have you heard about Mel Gibson saying the T-word on the national televison?
Person2: Oh my god, really?
Person1: Yes, without a shame. Poor guy, he doesn't know what's coming to him. I heard the T-people put an award on his head. He already can't enter some NY clubs for some T-word references.
Person2: I would be scared, I heard these T-people are furious. Nails, scenes and everything ...
Last edited by Raychel; 09-21-2014 at 08:41 AM. Reason: Consecutive posts merged - please use edit post to add to existing post rather than adding a successive post...
Regards, Betty
The world according to Betty - a transvestite.
This is SO true Eryn! I have never had anyone out it out there like that. It is just as important as it's the same thing/feeling.
Hey Girls, it could be worse, they could be calling us Nazi's instead!!
The word seems to be mostly associated with porn. But as George Carlin said, words aren't bad per se, it's the context in which they're used. The way to take any offense out of words is to use them so much that the impact is watered down to hardly anything. So let's get started with it….
I'm a tranny, you're a tranny, he's a tranny, she's a tranny, wouldn't you like to be a tranny too?
"You're the only one to see the changes you take yourself through", Stevie Wonder
Like a great many things, context is key.
I'm all for the attitude of taking the power back and evolution of the species as a whole, so good on you for trying Betty!
As I said, it's context. It's either a nasty slur or a term of endearment.
"F**k off, you tranny B***ard" is obviously meant to offend/intimidate, and this context is out of line with me.
But I would feel perfectly fine with someone referring to me as their "tranny mate" (UK - Mate = Friend), or even "that tall tranny".
I wrote my first blog piece about this very topic http://sometimessamantha.blogspot.co...to-tranny.html
And I would ask you to read it for a somewhat different skew on the issue,
Samantha -x-
Personally I do not like the word Tranny, I wish there was some nicer term that we could use,
my sister's reply when I told her how I prefer to dress
"Everyone has there thing, all that matters is that you are happy, love what you do and who you do it with"
I don't know the origins of "tranny" but I am sure it probably started as an abbreviated version of transsexual, transgendered, trans-woman, trans-man, and alike. Heck I hear every so often in reference to transvestites. I am sure it was used by everyone at first, by those in the community and those outside, as a nickname to keep from having to say all those syllables every time. Haters are going to use words with hate no matter what word you give them. You can continue to change the name but the haters are just going to adapt themselves. Change Trans-woman to Neo-woman or some such and in a few weeks you'll hear some ignoramus shout out "Hey look its one of those F**k'n neos over there".
It just reminds me of when Transvestite was used in the 70's and 80's then people thought it was offensive and they preferred the term cross-dresser. Now I have read post here grumbling over the term cross-dresser. But if you think about it, transvestite is just Latin for cross-dresser, and any new would be just some variation. That word will get it abbreviations and nicknames and be used by people who hate and we'll all be back here again.
I get the feeling that "transvestite" is less acceptable in the US than in the UK. (don't know about other english-speaking countries!) It certainly wouldn't be the first time that the US and UK have been divided by their (superficially) common language.
But I'm intrigued that we don't seem to have words to distinguish between those for whom cross dressing is primarily a sexual activity and those for whom it is gender related,, rather than sexual.
I've found it soooooooooo much easier not to give a proverbial flying **** what label people apply to me! I do worry that nowadays people can be very tender and quick to seek offence, often where none was intended. I'm very happy being me and that's what I call me.
P.S I have a gay friend who often asks how his "favourite tranny" is, I find it quite endearing!
Times, outlook, views and standards are constantly changing.
Think of the terms used to describe coloured people years ago that were quite normal.
They are considered offensive now and even get edited out of old films that portray racial problems.
1940s cartoons made for children carried a 'G' rating,they now carry a 'PG' or higher rating.
Political correctness has gone off the rails, although views about respect for women and those that are 'different' has improved.
Smoking...... Need I say more.
Tranny?
Just live with it I say. It is not offensive, just feels that way to some.
Work on your elegance,
and beauty will follow.
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