It's become something of a verbal tennis match that I am still trying to wrap my head around...
Back and forth the camps volley at each other... both claiming ownership of a single word... one side wants to use it, to empower it, to see in it validation for who they are...the other side wants to silence it, wants it eradicated from living language, burdened by the hate with which that one word has been flung at them...
Who is right? Is there even a right in this matter?
It is amazing to me that one word can rip at a community so thoroughly...One word uttered repeatedly by a famous individual WITHIN the community can beget so much divisiveness. That one word can be imbued with so much power for both sides of the argument.
For my own part, I have never actually been a victim of a hate crime... I have not had the word TRANNY hurled at me in disgust, or loathing, accompanying fists or rape. I have not truly experienced the dark side of the world of transsexuality. I have proudly called myself a tranny, tranny fag, FTM, transboy, transman... I have OWNED the word, for it is mine, born of my experience as a person of gender difference.
I do not wish to minimize the tragedy of those who have experienced hate crimes. Nor do I wish to silence their voices, the viewpoint of one who has been damaged by those who use a certain word definitely needs to be heard.
And yet, I have been learning lately that words bring only the memories that I have associated with them.
Those of us who choose to identify as Trannies, do so associating community, family, courage, determination and honesty with that word.
Those who choose not to use the word Tranny, do so associating pain, fists, angry faces and raised voices.
Both are valid. Both serve a purpose. Both meet a personal need.
I think that the lesson that needs to be learned here...
The overarching reasoning....
The resounding implications...
If I choose to identify as a Tranny and use that word in a powerful way...
If you choose not to use the word Tranny, due to the pain that has been caused during it's use...
Do not seek to rob me of my power and I will not deign to rob you of your pain.
I am NOT a #RuPaulogist.... But I stand with him as a person who embraces gender difference and proudly self-references as a Tranny....
