The New Intimacy

Is the "T-Word" offensive?

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Contributor: Positwist Positwist
Quote:
Originally posted by Ryuson
Wait, are we talking about "Transexual" or "Tranny?" It was never specified, so I voted no. I don't think that "transexual" is offensive because it's more of a medical term used for people that are going through ... more
We're talking about "tranny," I believe. However, don't be so quick to write off "transexual" as inoffensive because it's a medical term. Medicine and science more generally has, to date, hurt queers more than it's helped us. Queerness has been classified as various diseases and psychological disorders, often not to our benefit (that's changing pretty rapidly, though).

"Transexual" is kind of like "homosexual." By and large, the queer community itself doesn't use it; they're not really our words, and we don't describe ourselves that way.

A good rule of thumb: Always be wary of language that describes a marginalized group when the group doesn't use the word themselves. (Which might seem like a counter-intuitive rule of thumb, but know that we have REALLY misguided notions of "polite" terminology. We tend to think "African American" is the politically correct term for "black", even when the individual in question is from Haiti, not from an African country. Sup racism!)
03/24/2012
Contributor: TheParrishism TheParrishism
I think tranny is an offensive word. Some may try and reclaim it, but i feel that it is like the n-word and has a history of being used to hurt other people.

I do get confused when people are offended by the term 'cis.' While people may not chose to identify this way, it is a fact of who they are. It's like someone not identifying as mentally healthy or physically healthy. I don't feel like I chose to identify as trans, but because of the situation of my birth, it is the term that describes my situation.
03/24/2012
Contributor: Nontoxic Nontoxic
I still get a bit miffed by it.
03/24/2012
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
I'm cis and I would never use it or condone a cis person using it. As I see it, trans folks can battle about re-appropriation, but cis people should just be considerate enough to just butt out. I've seen the power the word has to hurt people, and I just don't have any desire to use a word that could potentially hurt someone so much. Besides that, I really never find myself in a place or situation where I feel like I need to us that word or any close facsimile.
03/24/2012
Contributor: Nissa Nissa Nissa Nissa
My random thought.. kinda wish I had a transgendered friend. I'd hug and cuddle and support them entirely. I think anyone in the world has the right to find a word offensive. I keep the anonymity approach.. if its some a-hole on the street that offends you, no matter.. prolly will never see that person again in your life. If its a friend or respected peer or family member. That's totally not cool.

You gotta fight your battles. I prolly get called white trash behind my back for my bleached blonde hair and tattoos. Do I care? Not really. It's who I am.. even thought my stuff is purely cosmetic in theory it still is a huge part of my soul. I can't imagine life without tattoos and without crazy hair.
03/25/2012
Contributor: kmilly kmilly
at the end of the day, it's just a word. what else would we be called? no matter what term it is, it's gonna offend someone who doesn't want to be seen that way. i don't really enjoy being referred to as trans*, but i see myself as a male. i've accepted that most don't. i think we need to be able to take what we dish out. i think "die cis scum" is the most offensive and ignorant shit our community has ever done. imo, hell of a lot worse than trans*

if we're referring to tranny, i don't ever really see that used anymore except about porn. *shrug*
04/08/2012
Contributor: TheGreat TheGreat
It tends to be much more offensive to transwomen than transmen because of the historic context and that needs to be respected.
04/09/2012
Contributor: Ciao. Ciao.
I'm MtF trans for reference. It's about context, but yeah, most of the time when people use the word "tranny" it's an insulting term and definitely can be offensive to those of us who identify as transgendered.
04/09/2012
Contributor: MasonM MasonM
Quote:
Originally posted by SubmissiveFeminist
Is the T-Word offensive to transgender people? I have several friends who are trans* and we use it as a term of affection, but I hear lots of people hate it and say it's offensive. Your take?

For voting: I use trans* as to cover all ... more
I'm pretty much in the boat of words are only offensive if the intent behind them is.

My childhood nickname was 'Toad Frog'. My dad thought it was cute and never meant it to be offensive.

I think that growing up with that term of affection probably shaped a lot of my views of what was offensive and what wasn't.
04/10/2012
Contributor: In Between Soliloquies In Between Soliloquies
Honestly, there are so many terms in different areas of social interaction that it gets in the way of real connection and dialogue.
04/12/2012
Contributor: pix pix
I am cis and I don't think I have the right to decide whether it's offensive or not, that is up to the people it is used to describe
04/14/2012
Contributor: Sam the Man Sam the Man
It has a lot of negative connotations, so I think at the very least people should be careful when they're using it. For me a large part of it is intent and context. If it's meant to be offensive or if it's coming from a cis person being ignorant or prejudiced, I'll be a bit mad. If it's meant to be affectionate and is coming from someone (especially a trans*person) in that way, I'm much less likely to be uncomfortable.
04/17/2012
Contributor: nope nope
everyone I've ever known who is trans* or outside the gender binary has told me the word is a slur and they find it extremely offensive

I wouldn't use it and don't use it myself
04/18/2012
Contributor: Schattenstern Schattenstern
I think all labels are offensive! This is the same thing as when African-American people use "nigger" as a word of endearment, but books have been banned for the word being offensive! People should work to use words properly.
04/18/2012
Contributor: Femme Mystique Femme Mystique
Quote:
Originally posted by snowyslut
I cannot tell you how to feel, but why would cis be a term of offense to you? It is not an insult or term of derision; it simply identifies you as a person outside the trans* spectrum. It's not about justification of trans* identities, but rather ... more
The only way I can see that being offensive is if you find others imposing labels on you to be offensive, which is valid.
04/23/2012
Contributor: jesseftm jesseftm
Quote:
Originally posted by Schattenstern
I really hate it when FTMs think that they can use it because it doesn't tend to offend FTMs as much as MTFs but FTMs need to include MTFs in their families!
I agree with this. It's getting really old hearing ftms use the word and claim that they're reclaiming it. just stop
04/28/2012
Contributor: Ilovelingerie Ilovelingerie
Quote:
Originally posted by SubmissiveFeminist
Is the T-Word offensive to transgender people? I have several friends who are trans* and we use it as a term of affection, but I hear lots of people hate it and say it's offensive. Your take?

For voting: I use trans* as to cover all ... more
Since I'm not personally I wouldn't know, but I don't see why it would be offensive if thats what you are. . . but if you know someone finds it offensive, don't call them trans*
04/28/2012
Contributor: Kor Kor
My reply to this is complicated. As a general rule, especially in referring to transwomen, I think it is often offensive, and if you're not sure, don't use it.

However, in my opinion, in referring to a transvestite/crossdres ser, and not a transsexual person, then it is not offensive. And I think with some particular transsexuals, like myself, in certain casual or joking situations, or in certain blanket situations, it can be used as a slang. (example, something I actually have said more than once, because it's true, "Trannies know way more about clothes than any sane human should.")

Also I agree that Cis is a somewhat useless, and borderline offensive word. I prefer using "biological male/man" or "biological female/woman", and would even sometimes use that term about myself, in regards to my birth sex, because it is true.
04/28/2012
Contributor: Kor Kor
Quote:
Originally posted by Schattenstern
I really hate it when FTMs think that they can use it because it doesn't tend to offend FTMs as much as MTFs but FTMs need to include MTFs in their families!
Agreed!
04/28/2012