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transThere's something I really don't understand, and that's the fact that society at large can be so cruel to trans persons, often without realizing it. From the misuse of pronouns to the pointing and laughing (when a trans person doesn't pass effectively) to downright physical/emotional abuse, there is an entire spectrum of negative behavior projected against trans persons in general that does not seem to be tolerable when directed toward our marginalized groups of persons (at least in geographical regions that are left of center).
Every day, it seems, I hear about some of the abuses trans persons face on a regular basis, and I think two things: (1) s/he is incredibly strong and courageous and (2) why are people so cruel? It's this latter that tends to bother me, and I get the sense that the solution to this problem is more approachable than it may seem.
Amongst the general public, transgenderism-related topics are only discussed in two major fora: mass entertainment (movies, tv shows and talk shows), and as a joke (most commonly when a straight male demonstrates effeminate behavior). And in both cases, transgenderism in general and transgendered persons in particular typically become the objectified brunt of a joke, sarcastic remark or worse, with little moral judgment cast upon the instigator.
It is as if trans persons, unlike, say, ethnic minorities, handicapped persons, the mentally ill, zoo animals and persons born with physical deformities, are almost universally treated by the general public like side shows and caricatures. Where leftist society at large has progressed in its treatment of other groups of persons and animals once called freaks, they have remained staunchly with the status quo with regards to transgendered persons.
(Think honestly and ask which would be more socially tolerable, in most circles of society: laughing at a dog being yelled at by its owner, or laughing at man being yelled for dressing as a woman?)
It is striking, then, to see how most sensible persons react when they do meet a flesh-and-blood trans person who does not confirm transphobically-driven stereotypes and who instead shows that we are indeed flesh-and-blood human beings, that we are indeed persons who have had or are having a struggle that is far from comedic or contemptuous. Sensible persons quickly begin to understand the burden that is transgenderism, and they quickly become allies against what can often seem to be a universal and unchallenged transphobia.
I suggest, then, that what we need is a change in media portrayals of trans persons. Trans persons in general seem to be both a small and invisible minority, so it is even more important that the media provide positive, compassionate portrayals. With this change, we can expect that at least sensible, liberal-minded persons will become allies -- much, much faster than if they had waited for a flesh-and-blood trans person to come along.
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thatwaszen/That Was Zen
Every day, it seems, I hear about some of the abuses trans persons face on a regular basis, and I think two things: (1) s/he is incredibly strong and courageous and (2) why are people so cruel? It's this latter that tends to bother me, and I get the sense that the solution to this problem is more approachable than it may seem.
Amongst the general public, transgenderism-related topics are only discussed in two major fora: mass entertainment (movies, tv shows and talk shows), and as a joke (most commonly when a straight male demonstrates effeminate behavior). And in both cases, transgenderism in general and transgendered persons in particular typically become the objectified brunt of a joke, sarcastic remark or worse, with little moral judgment cast upon the instigator.
It is as if trans persons, unlike, say, ethnic minorities, handicapped persons, the mentally ill, zoo animals and persons born with physical deformities, are almost universally treated by the general public like side shows and caricatures. Where leftist society at large has progressed in its treatment of other groups of persons and animals once called freaks, they have remained staunchly with the status quo with regards to transgendered persons.
(Think honestly and ask which would be more socially tolerable, in most circles of society: laughing at a dog being yelled at by its owner, or laughing at man being yelled for dressing as a woman?)
It is striking, then, to see how most sensible persons react when they do meet a flesh-and-blood trans person who does not confirm transphobically-driven stereotypes and who instead shows that we are indeed flesh-and-blood human beings, that we are indeed persons who have had or are having a struggle that is far from comedic or contemptuous. Sensible persons quickly begin to understand the burden that is transgenderism, and they quickly become allies against what can often seem to be a universal and unchallenged transphobia.
I suggest, then, that what we need is a change in media portrayals of trans persons. Trans persons in general seem to be both a small and invisible minority, so it is even more important that the media provide positive, compassionate portrayals. With this change, we can expect that at least sensible, liberal-minded persons will become allies -- much, much faster than if they had waited for a flesh-and-blood trans person to come along.
x-posted to
thatwaszen/That Was Zen