Miss Universe - Another Viewpoint

[Carolyn Marie]

The 1999 Miss Universe first runner up Miriam Quimabao, a contestant from the Philippines, on her opposition to changing the rules to allow only TG contestants. She says that the contest should only be for "REAL women."

http://www.gmanetwor...women-in-miss-u

BTW, is there anyone else who takes offense at the use of "transgender" as a noun? I'm sorry, but I'm not "a transgender." I am a woman, and I also identify as a transgendered woman. but that use of the term has always bothered me. I find other TG folks using it more and more as a noun, too. Perhaps I'll start a thread on it.

Carolyn Marie

[Drea]

Transsexual has been used as a noun for as long as I can remember. Since being trangendered is moving beyond a condition to a lifestyle choice, an identify so wouldn't it be natural for such to self identify as a "transgender" just like some identify as a transsexual?

[Carolyn Marie]

Maybe so, IDK. Webster's lists transsexual as a noun. it still doesn't sound right to me, and I won't use it that way.

Carolyn Marie

[Drea]

As long as the competitor meets the rules I see no reason why a trans woman shouldn't be able to compete.

If there were restrictions against plastic surgery where any women participation couldn't have surgical alteration it might become a bit tricky for a trans woman, but again if the trans woman in question can compete without having surgeries in that case, no issue.

[Guest Donna Jean]

As long as the competitor meets the rules I see no reason why a trans woman shouldn't be able to compete.

If there were restrictions against plastic surgery where any women participation couldn't have surgical alteration it might become a bit tricky for a trans woman, but again if the trans woman in question can compete without having surgeries in that case, no issue.

Yeah, but remember....our surgery is like heart surgery or appendix surgery.....

It's not cosmetic!

I hope thgat they know that!

Dee Jay

[JJ]

Ignorance like that of the past runner up always irritates me. I often wish that the ignorant could at least know how ignorant they were instead of feeling compelled to flaunt it.

As far as Transgender? I don't have particularly strong feelings about it. I guess for me it's part of a hierarchy of terms. I am a man, first and most fundamental, then a transman because that is a fundamental fact of how I am physically configured, transsexual because I have lived as one gender while identifying as another or maybe more accurately my gender identity is the opposite of that assigned at birth and dictated by my apparent sexual anatomy and lastly transgendered because that is a broad term for those with gender identity that is variant in some way from majority or norm.

But that is just my way of fitting it together. I'll be interested to read your thread about it

Johnny

[Drea]

As long as the competitor meets the rules I see no reason why a trans woman shouldn't be able to compete.

If there were restrictions against plastic surgery where any women participation couldn't have surgical alteration it might become a bit tricky for a trans woman, but again if the trans woman in question can compete without having surgeries in that case, no issue.

Yeah, but remember....our surgery is like heart surgery or appendix surgery.....

It's not cosmetic!

I hope thgat they know that!

Dee Jay

Yes a valid point when it comes to genital surgery. When it comes to facial surgery, breast augmentation and numeruous other surgeries where a genetic woman might also have to enhance appearance, to allow a trans contestant unrestricted access to surgeries because they are trans if there is a rule barring such from other contestants would be unfair.

[Guest Lacey Lynne]

As long as the competitor meets the rules I see no reason why a trans woman shouldn't be able to compete.

If there were restrictions against plastic surgery where any women participation couldn't have surgical alteration it might become a bit tricky for a trans woman, but again if the trans woman in question can compete without having surgeries in that case, no issue.

Yeah, but remember....our surgery is like heart surgery or appendix surgery.....

It's not cosmetic!

I hope thgat they know that!

Dee Jay

Right on, Dee Jay! However, a whole lot of people think it IS cosmetic! Like, I type open heart surgeries, appendectomies, yada yada yada, and I KNOW you're right about SRS not being merely cosmetic. With all the surgeries I've typed over the last 15 years or so, I can honestly say I've never typed an SRS report. Oh, well!

We've gotta educate people. Thing is that many of them don't want us to. Like, okay, whatever. Ignorance is bliss? Guess they're happy.

Peace Lacey

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Transsexual has been used as a noun for as long as I can remember. Since being trangendered is moving beyond a condition to a lifestyle choice, an identify so wouldn't it be natural for such to self identify as a "transgender" just like some identify as a transsexual?

Lifestyle choice? Be careful with that as saying so might make you an 'elitist"

I have been on several other sites - and am a moderator on one. All I want to say is this entire idea of "transsexual, transgener and transgendered" is a hot potato!

There is an elitist group that will ban you for using the wrong word.

Here is the spin at the elitist level. (Don't kill the messenger, please)

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Transsexual is the only proper word to use for people of 'our' condition. Even the term Gender Dysphoric Condition is more modern concept and a cop-out. GID is not even to be considered. Using the words 'trangender or (shudder) 'transgendered" is comparable of declaring war on 'us.'!

To be a true transsexual you must be:

(!) Born with the mindset of one gender, but in the body the sex of the opposite gender (Pretty much what I think of as gender dysphoria, unable to reconcile my gender with my body - donno why the different definition). BUT if you did not have this happening from early on (way before puberty) then you cannot be transsexual.

(2) Diagnosed transsexual (does not count if you have not been officially diagnosed, but you are questioning or just confused) Those questioning or confused cannot be transsexual - you must KNOW you are transsexual, or you are NOT actually transsexual

(3) You must want to be what you truly are WITHOUT QUESTION and be willing to sacrifice anything and everything. If you try to compromise or go part way you are not transsexual.

(4) You must want surgery and are pursuing it actively and with all the resources you have. (Or you must have had sexual reassignment surgery). If you are stopping just short of surgery, or are putting it off, you are not transsexual - only those with medical conditions that prohibit surgery (not discourage but prohibit) can still qualify.

Also the elitist say that THEY are the true transsexuals. Anyone else is transgender. They claim the transgender are a 'political' community trying to ride in on the efforts of the true transsexuals to obtain rights and recognition. Transgender (they say) are transgenderists, cross dressers, androgynous... all the way through to drag queens.

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Why do I mention this?

My argument is this: use the term TRANSGENDER UMBRELLA - we transsexual are one type of condition under it. I also argue there is no such thing as "transgendered." And I think many others suggest 'transgendered' is an improper usage of 'transgender' - but the common press seems to like it. Donno why.- maybe it is what they think we like to be called.

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Personally - call me what you want - give me protection under the law, recognition, and my basic rights. We can argue over definitions later!

Lizzy

And me? here is an even more complex spin, I am not transgender - I was. Not now. Now am a woman, technically a transitioned woman, but a woman none-the-less I was treated because I had a transsexual condition, and was offered the option to transition. That history will remain with me all my life, but even then I rarely will EVER say I 'am a transsexual' - why? Because I am a woman, now and for the rest of my life, and that is my personal business - end of story.