Panel to discuss transgender issues

While I want to congratulate you for having a panel which allows trans people to speak about their experiences, you pretty much ruin it by using the term "Tranny Talk" as its title. "Tranny" is overwhelmingly considered an offensive term by most transwomen (who are, after all, the people who it's used against as a smear term). A tranny is NOT a woman and, therefore, using that term is considered to be a massive term of disrespect against our womanhood. Transmen (nor gay men) have NOT historically been smeared with this slang term and, therefore, have no real credibility towards trying to 'reclaim' it. If you have respect for transwomen, if you wish to honor the memory of the many transwomen who have been beaten and even murdered while having 'tranny' screamed at them, please show it by NOT calling your event by this hateful term. Believe it or not, your event will have just as much (or more) hip cred were it called "trans talk" or "TG Talk."

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• Posted by ginasf on February 24, 2009 at 1:33 a.m.
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Panel to discuss transgender issues

I am sorry that you find the term "Tranny" to be offensive. I find that this term is a lot like the word "Queer" in the fact that some people find it offensive, and others find comfort in it as an Identity. I personally considered the opinions of the trans people on this panel and none of us had a problem with the term tranny. In my personal view it is nothing more than an abbreviated word for "transgender" and as a transwoman myself, I do not see any reason why i should take offense to this term. I will also argue that yes trannys are women... and men, different men and women for sure but what is wrong with being different i think that we should take just as much pride in our identities as being transgender as we do in being men and women. As far as "hip cred" goes, it had nothing to do with choosing this name. I used the word tranny for the plain and simple fact that... I like it. I find strength in the word and in claiming it for an identity. Once again I am sorry that you have taken offense, but I strongly urge you to reconsider the reasons why you are so opposed to it. Is it because you sincerely feel that the word is offensive, or because someone else wants you to be offended by it?

With Love, Jayne

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• Posted by jwhenson on February 24, 2009 at 3:43 p.m.
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Panel to discuss transgender issues

Congratulations to Queers and Allies for organizing this panel. It is extremely important for people to be able to associate a face, a story, a human being to the term transgender. And, to the participants on the panel, thank you for your courage to put yourself out there. In many ways, trans-men and women are the tip of the sword of the LGBT civil rights movement. It was transgender women who fought against police mistreatment at Comptons Cafeteria in San Francisco and Stonewall in New York; and, it was a transgender man who successfully led the fight to legalize gay marriage at the California Supreme Court just last year. Transgender people like you all are making a real difference in the lives of LGBT people all over the country.

I've been fighting from the trenches myself for the last decade or so and I am extremely proud to know that young people like yourselves are carrying on the fight right there at the University of Kansas, next door to where I grew up.

Best wishes and thanks for all you do.

Theresa Sparks President, San Francisco Police Commission and Citizen of the San Francisco trans-community

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• Posted by sftheresa on February 24, 2009 at 4:45 p.m.
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Panel to discuss transgender issues

Sorry Jayne, last time I looked I'm not controlled by any larger organization, and I hope you're not either. You have a right to not be offended by "tranny" but you don't have a right to dismiss the feelings of the many transwomen who do absolutely find it an offensive term (especially when used by cisgender people, media and trans/cis men). An example of this was the ground-breaking Transmarch in San Francisco which, in its first year, was called the "Tranny March." The resulting threatened boycott of the march by many transwomen led to the march getting its current name. This is called listening to others and being sensitive. In other words, use the terms you want, but when you ignore the deep-seated feelings of those offended by your word choice, don't be surprised if those women don't come running to offer their support.

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• Posted by ginasf on February 24, 2009 at 7:10 p.m.
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Panel to discuss transgender issues

As a transwoman, I take no offense at the use of the word, "Tranny." It's the context in which it is used that may be offensive. I'm sure that the originators of this event had no negative intent in their use of the word.

I would love to be present for the discussion, but I didn't see anything in the article about a time and place. Would someone enlighten me, please?

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• Posted by tyks on February 25, 2009 at 6:40 a.m.
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Panel to discuss transgender issues

The event is at 7:00pm tonight in Alderson Auditorium on the 4th floor of the Kansas Union. E-mail Queers & Allies at qanda@ku.edu if you have any questions.

Hope to see you all there!

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• Posted by rachelgn on February 25, 2009 at 8:46 a.m.
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