I went to a poetry reading last night where a cis-woman read a poem (published in one of her many books) in which she used the word tranny to describe a person she encountered on the train. Her tone was sincere and literary poetic -- it was clear she didnt understand the brutal weight this word carries. The room didnt shift or blink. Everyone clapped afterwards. Today is Transgender Day of Rememberance. A day when the trans* community remembers the countless community members being murdered for being authentic outside of the gender box. Language shapes beliefs, and it is beliefs that generate and justify murder. This word, created by the gay community, is used to marginalize, silence and murder us. Please know, there are so many unique narratives within the trans community. A common thread is the fight for bodily autonomy, for respect and dignity and acceptance of our authentic self expression. Our fight begins in Language. We are speaking. Will you listen? With your head or your heart? theguardian/lifeandstyle/2010/jun/30/trans-language-transgender
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 18:43:56 +0000
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