GLAAD and Boylan Speak Up About "Drag Race"

[Carolyn Marie]

http://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2014/03/29/logo-rupauls-drag-race-respond-antitrans-slurs

Carolyn Marie

[JenniferB]

No one with any sense of decency would ever use the n-word. But it's okay to use those kinds of derogatory words when it pertains to transgender people.Maybe some people have a different interpretation, but if it not acceptable to the group of people it represents, shouldn't you not use it out of decency and respect?

Jenny

[Guest KimberlyF]

It's easier for me to take RuPaul more seriously than GLAAD, since their response is very calculated based on the people involved.

[Guest Brenda Hailey]

It's easier for me to take RuPaul more seriously than GLAAD, since their response is very calculated based on the people involved.

I wonder if Ru Paul had been comparing genitalia on the show he would still be taken so seriously?

Ru Pauls decision to have an episode such as that to further his finances is just as calculated as anything GLAAD does.

[Guest KimberlyF]

It's easier for me to take RuPaul more seriously than GLAAD, since their response is very calculated based on the people involved.

I wonder if Ru Paul had been comparing genitalia on the show he would still be taken so seriously?

Ru Pauls decision to have an episode such as that to further his finances is just as calculated as anything GLAAD does.

But RuPaul is an entertainer and has come out and stated numerous times that words like the car transmission slang doesnt show up on the personal radar. Now everyone is shocked? And it took a few weeks of behind the scenes talks after this shows numerous breaking of their (GLAAD's) rules. So many times they have a press release in the first few days.

I find the whole thing amusing because nobody wants to discuss if RP is under the umbrella. It really depends on if numbers are needed for something I guess? The net is pretty wide when a group wants to show how much of the population is TG, but when bad things happen, it kinda gets more selective.

[Guest Brenda Hailey]

It's easier for me to take RuPaul more seriously than GLAAD, since their response is very calculated based on the people involved.

I wonder if Ru Paul had been comparing genitalia on the show he would still be taken so seriously?

Ru Pauls decision to have an episode such as that to further his finances is just as calculated as anything GLAAD does.

But RuPaul is an entertainer and has come out and stated numerous times that words like the car transmission slang doesnt show up on the personal radar. Now everyone is shocked? And it took a few weeks of behind the scenes talks after this shows numerous breaking of their (GLAAD's) rules. So many times they have a press release in the first few days.

I find the whole thing amusing because nobody wants to discuss if RP is under the umbrella. It really depends on if numbers are needed for something I guess? The net is pretty wide when a group wants to show how much of the population is TG, but when bad things happen, it kinda gets more selective.

I only know about this issue because of other people complaining about it,generally speaking I dont care about it either way as I dont watch Ru Paul or rely on GLAAD for my personal issues.

Ru Paul certainly fits under the umbrella as I understand it and if Ru Paul wants to be controversial its his/her right, people also have the right to not watch.

My life will be unaffected if they use the term 5 speed manual or automatic, nor will my life be altered by those taking offense to it.

Nobody is giving consideration either to the trans woman who were on the show that "wanted" to be there and be judged in that fashion, had they been there against their will it would be an entirely different situation.

I guess to some, being transgender means we must be offended by anything and everything or we arent trans enough?

BTW I would glaadly breaks GLAADS rules in my own life for my own personal satisfaction if I actually knew what their rules where.I have stated before I am not beholden to anyone because we may or may not share the same afflictions.

[Guest chngnwnd]

The bottom line for me is that there are words that are considered epithets that apply to other demographic groups - and some members of those groups have adapted the epithet to their own purposes and made it part of their identity. However, those words still are NOT used on television. Why should we receive any lesser degree of respect?

Bobbi

[Charlize]

Well i finally read about this debate. Transgender, she-male....of the two i dislike the second the most. When i used to look for anyone like me on the internet she-male porn was all i saw and that was not me at all. Some of those images have lodged in my mind with other experiences that hurt me deeply.
For me i guess the interesting thing is that the matter is being discussed not only here but elsewhere. I am happy now that not every example seen is negative, not every name is derogatory. For me over a lifetime there has been such a tremendous change in the attitude of those i meet. I still find some pain in rejection here and there but i also find great support and not just from brothers and sisters.
I'm so glad we can have this debate and have a voice at the table even though it isn't always as loud as we might wish. Perhaps a slow change is better as there always seems to be a backlash after great changes.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest KimberlyF]

The bottom line for me is that there are words that are considered epithets that apply to other demographic groups - and some members of those groups have adapted the epithet to their own purposes and made it part of their identity. However, those words still are NOT used on television. Why should we receive any lesser degree of respect?

Bobbi

The golden rule is often tossed around and it seems so simple.

We control our own actions.

My take...

Does the TG community, TG activists such as Jenny Boylan, major respected TG blogs, etc ever use negative words or phrases to describe whole groups of people after being informed that it's derogatory or maybe using phrases meant to be derogatory?

The golden rule is not, BTW "Treat people how you want to be treated, unless they're a douche."

If the TG community is innocent, then I figure they can be as offended as they wish.

If not, then they should clean their own house first because that is the only change to make the world a better place that they have direct control over. And like a smile causing others to smile, positivity spreads, So does negativity.

[Guest Jennifer T]

Charlize, I was very uplifted reading your reply here. In my mind, you speak with maturity and experience.