Angry at TV depiction of CD

[Guest KatyDesire]

Last night I saw an episode of "Bones", where they visit a club full of Drag Queens. What really got to me was that the tone - superficially at least - was very sympathetic. But the impression left was that this is the way all CDs look and behave. As I said to my wife, if there was a room full of CDs - most of them you would probably not give a second glance.

I really think that this gives everyone out there the totally wrong impression of CD. I think drag queens can be loads of fun, but that isn't how I want to be identified.

Just had to let off steam about that. Really annoyed.

[Charlize]

Katy there is often some conflict between the CD and trans community and the drag scene. We all fall at different places and while i also find the drag scene to be almost embarrassing, i have also really enjoyed some drag performances that were done by folks with real talent. I think one of the things that upsets me is that they seem to mock the feminine by over doing it. I might have done some drag if i had the talent but i'm so much better sitting in the audience.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest KimberlyF]

There are very few people who would fall under the TG umbrella that I agree with all the time or that I think would do a good job representing me. That's one reason I don't claim any ownership to the label. A gay man dressed as a clown nun has so little in common with me, I don't even know where to start.

My job is not to live their lives. It's to live mine, and be comfortable enough to not care how others live theirs if they're not hurting anyone.

Big Bang is one of the top shows on television, and one of the characters is relentless with fat jokes. This is still socially acceptable. TV is not a medium I would use to build myself up, or if I were in a particularly vulnerable place.

[JJ]

Katy I understand your anger and frustration. While no image or character on tv can speak for me or define me as a tg person, it does reach millions I never will and promote images that can and do impact my life to some degree. When depictions of us are inaccurate-and especially when it comes in the guise of people who are friendly to us so others tend to see it as more representative-it harms me indirectly. It can affect how people react to me personally even long after they have forgotten actually seeing it or what was presented because it helped form perceptions. It can ultimately affect what rights they they I am entitled to have.

All those religious people who boycott a trans persons right to use the correct bathroom for instance have a wrong impression of who we are-and they got it from media or have been influenced by media. Media matters. It matters vitally to each of us.

And media cares about what people think. Complain to the network. Just a polite message on their website explaining your objections could ultimately make a difference. As can mention to sponsors by you and your friends and family when the trans community is mis-represented. We cannot expect them to know or realize until we speak up. Not rabidly or as radicals but as calm and rational human beings.

Johnny

[Carolyn Marie]

.

And media cares about what people think. Complain to the network. Just a polite message on their website explaining your objections could ultimately make a difference. As can mention to sponsors by you and your friends and family when the trans community is mis-represented. We cannot expect them to know or realize until we speak up. Not rabidly or as radicals but as calm and rational human beings.

Johnny

I totally agree. You have the right to make your feelings known. However, you might have to self-identify. You can also file a complaint with GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination), which monitors the media and has been very successful in fighting such stereotypes. You can find them here: http://www.glaad.org/

I haven't seen the episode and so can't comment on it. But offense is in the eye of the beholder, and if you were offended, it is enough to file a complaint.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[gennee]

I didn't see the episode but I can understand how you feel. Unfortunately the media does a poor job of representing trans people. Drag queens and kings do over the top routines as part of their performance. I find them entertaining at times.

Transgender people are speaking up about misrepresentations of them and I say that it's about time. Look at the case with RuPaul. Julie Bindell was probably surprised by the responses from trans people about her transphobic rants and lies. It's also a great opportunity to educate others.

[Ravin]

Bones handles transgender in another episode better, iirc. A MTF woman is the victim and it turns out she had vanished to transition because she'd been a prominent televangelist and didn't want to shame and shock her family.

[Guest Clair Dufour]

Drag is performance art and little to do with TG and CD issues. If anybody is getting put down its women who over dress. If one is way out of the pass curve dressing up and performing can get comedic fast.

The Bones crew are some of the most liberal people in the industry. In one of the early seasons (on netflix) they did a very moving story about a transwoman that got murdered.They have also done gay stories. The secret to their success is that they mix horror with comedy, science, political and social issues. If you want to bug them fine but, pitch them a story. Hum... I wonder how many TG-CD's or spouses have plotted murder?

[Guest]

I was watching that same thing on TV and an extended family member giggled at it. Made me feel *really* uncomfortable. I love drag queens but the social stigma can be a bit too much.

Things like that make me put a check in the "dont come out " catagory.

[Guest KatyDesire]

Johnny, the problem is that because I don't live in the US, the networks are not going to give a fig what I think about it. I'm not part of the demographic they care about.

The local networks are as thick as two short planks, and will sure as anything not even understand the problem! Lexi, wouldn't you like to be the standard-bearer and put in a nice polite letter?

Last week, over here, there was a "CD beauty competition". In true journalist style they reported this as a "gay" thing, but mentioned that it was run by an LGBTI group. I pulled out a few more of my decreasing number of hairs!!

[Guest]

Johnny, the problem is that because I don't live in the US, the networks are not going to give a fig what I think about it. I'm not part of the demographic they care about.

The local networks are as thick as two short planks, and will sure as anything not even understand the problem! Lexi, wouldn't you like to be the standard-bearer and put in a nice polite letter?

Last week, over here, there was a "CD beauty competition". In true journalist style they reported this as a "gay" thing, but mentioned that it was run by an LGBTI group. I pulled out a few more of my decreasing number of hairs!!

Dont own a TV. I dont. Turn off and you are free!!!

[robinmaybe]

I don't have a problem with drag queens themselves. My philosophy is that it's there life and they have the right to do what makes them happy, provided they aren't harming others. I sincerely believe that if more people felt that way life would be easier for everyone, especially us crossdressers. My only problem is with people who assume all crossdressers I like that. I often wonder if these people watch gangster rap music videos and assume all black people are like that or if they would base their assumptions about all Southerners on a stereotypical hillbilly WWF wrestler. I try not to get mad at the drag queens themselves since they are just trying to live their own life and do what makes them happy. After all I'm sure there are transgendered people who resent crossdressers and think we are tainting the publics perception of them when all we are trying to do is be true to ourselves. Just a thought.

Robin