Rocko comes alive!

Rocko comes alive! by petit_smudge on Polyvore.com

(What's So Funny Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding? TRANSGENDERED REMEMBRANCE DAY

In the classic Christopher Guest mockumentary, “A Mighty Wind”, an aging folk singer, played by Harry Shearer, surprises everyone when, in the last few minutes of the film, he shows up as a post-op transsexual. The spectacle of Harry Shearer in feminine clothing, contrasted with his deep, baritone, voice,is meant to be humorous. While the plot twist would strike the average viewer as a lame grasp at a final laugh, the gag hints at an underlying issue that is much more serious than a cheap gag.


Transgender people, in layman’s terms, feel as though their outside doesn’t match their inside; they were born the “wrong” gender. There is a spectrum of transsexuality, ranging from those who feel fine dressing as the opposite sex occasionally, to those who completely transition, opting for gender-reassignment surgery and hormone replacement therapy. No matter where one falls on the spectrum, though, it is almost certain they have been the recipients of misinformed cruelty.

Take, for instance, the term “tranny”. “Tranny” has become a trendy descriptor for some people, as in “Hot tranny mess”, used to describe a particularly awful outfit. Tranny, however, is a derogatory term akin to other epithets like “fag” or “wop”. That people use the term freely without thinking of its negative impact is indicative of the plight of the American TG, a person that has to endure both invisibility and hatred.

Transgender people navigate a world that seems intent on singling them out. There are websites for TGs that list friendly restaurants, movie theaters, and stores where they won’t be discriminated against. The very fact that websites like this exist is a travesty to the human spirit of kindness and acceptance.

I was at a wedding over the summer that had a transgender woman in attendance. A member of the bridal party leaned to my friend and said, “Did you hear there’s a he-she here? I need someone to point it out to me”.

In honor of Transgender Remembrance Day, I beseech all who believe in freedom, human kindness, and equality to become more aware of the struggles transgender people face every day. First, stop using terms like “tranny” and “he-she”. Secondly, always refer to a TG in regards to the gender they are presenting (a male-to-female TG would be referred to as “she” and “her”). Finally, try not to single these heroic women and men out; they are bravely attempting to live their lives free from bigotry and hatred.

There is a grain of truth in “A Mighty Wind”. Harry Shearer looks at the camera and earnestly states, “I had to change… or I would die”. The same can be said regarding our attitudes toward our transgender neighbors.

Here is a link (have not yet mastered embedding video)to a great video about a TG memorial held in St. Louis from Vital VOICE magazine, a great group of people I was lucky to intern with last summer:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n_T3rjxaE0

inspired by fall 2010 j. crew

inspired by fall 2010 j. crew by petit_smudge featuring knits tops