The Fairy Princess has had an interesting few days since St. Patrick’s.
Kate Middleton in BEST ST PATRICK’S DAY OUTFIT OF ALL TIME!!!!!!!!
Several long Facebook discussions that were completely and totally agitating – all on race, casting, perception, and the words we use to describe one another. It’s been exhausting. However there was one today, and I feel it is worth sharing where The Fairy Princess stands on this ‘line in the sand’.
Today there is a piece in The Advocate about a word often used on TV, and by different folks within the LGBT Community, and that word is (I’m just going to type it, I don’t use it myself in conversation or well, ever) –
tranny.
Trans people have explained it again and again why they do not want the word used, but again and again, people who have ‘grown up’ in the LGBT community and who are, tis true, of a certain age group or community status, feel that they can use the word, and are accustomed to using the word, to describe transvestites.
Dame Edna – perhaps the most Internationally famous man in a dress
When I first heard the word years ago and when it was first described to me, I will agree – it meant transvestite.
It never occurred to us then to use it to describe transgender, because truth to tell – we did not talk much about Transgendered back in ye olden days because…well…there was not the same awareness that there is today.
Chaz Bono, who identifies as Trans
Words and meanings evolve. Who would have thought that a pile of sticks used to burn heretics at the stake would evolve into a Gay Slur? Probably no one at the time. But it has, which is the point.
The point is, it is ok to say “Well, I did not realize, sorry, duly noted, will not use it again.” which should be followed with “Thank you for letting me know.”
Gabourey Sidibe apologized, Thanks Precious!
It is true that this is a relatively (RELATIVELY) new issue, not NEW NEW, just…it’s been around but a lot of people seem to not be paying attention – on purpose.
The Fairy Princess gets that people have differing opinions on this word, but this is her only question:
If it hurts someone else, and you KNOW it hurts someone else, why are you still using it?
Isn’t this an easy fix?
Yeah, it is – and that is truly, the point. Not whether you think someone is being too sensitive or unable to take a joke – that is the not the point. The point is – are you the type of person who knows you are hurting someone and will continue to do it?
Duck Dynasty anyone? Is it really that different?
It’s all words right?
Yes, it’s words – and how they are used, and how they are heard.
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