One Word: Tranny
From the One Word series produced by WatchCut Video we have reactions to the word “Tranny” from members of the transgender community.
The piece was produced by Aneesh Sheth and edited by Celene Ramadan. It features music by Courtland Urbano.
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Personally I do not like the word. I feel it is used to demean us. It is used in society in a negative way. We see it used in movies and many other forms of media. I remember once I was listening to a radio news show do a report on a town that was renaming a street that was named after Bruce Jenner. They were changing it to Caitlyn and after the report, the newscaster suggested, “How about Tranny Lane?” and they all laughed. This was a serious news report. I remember being so angry about it. If this was any other culture people would be outraged. My problem with it is that someone hears this and believes it is okay to say these things or treat transgender people badly. This word is used to harm us. People who commit violence against us use it. It may have come from us originally but it has been marginalized. While we are on the subject, the term is transgender. It is not “transgendered” or “tranny”. We are not “transgenders”. We are transgender. We are transgender people. I am a transgender person.
I have a feeling the term “tranny” will be a topic of debate this coming week as Jenny Boylan and Kate Bornstein are supposed to get into it on I am Cait.
Speaking of Caitlyn. If you liked the piece, the also did one on her. Caitlyn Jenner? Is that not two words?
