So recently I’ve noticed this debate going on all over the social networks within the trans community about the use and reclaimation of the word “tranny”.
The issue seems to be that one side of the debate believes all transgender people are entitled to use this word to describe themselves, while the other side believes it is a term that only transwomen have a right to reclaim.
I think we all know that while the word “tranny” is sometimes used against transmen, the term is historically applied to transwomen. It is a slur with violence and discrimination tied to it. Sometimes, it is the last word a transwoman hears before she is murdered.
I’m not sure exactly why this disagreement is getting so much attention. I don’t understand why either side cares so much about their right to use a slur word that there is actually an argument about it. I do understand the points being made by both sides though.
Transmen don’t want to feel like they aren’t “transgender enough” to reclaim the word. They feel they are just as “tranny” as transwomen are. And if there is a word-reclaimation going on in the community, they want to be part of it. They want to be involved because they’ve experienced prejudice too. Also, invisibility is an issue for transguys. The fact that transwomen have always been subjected to more violence and bigotry than transmen is part of the reason why transmen are invisible and transwomen are called “trannies”. Transmen don’t want to be invisible. Also consider the actual transmen who have been maliciously called tranny numerous times. Do they still not have the right to reclaim the word just because they are transmen?
Those who think that transmen should not be using the word “tranny” also have a number of reasons to back up their belief. They say you should google the word tranny and see what images come up. You probably won’t be seeing pictures of transmen. You’re going to see pictures of transwomen. When people use that word in a negative sense, they are talking about transwomen who people know are transwomen, who don’t “pass” well enough. They are talking about too much makeup, voices that are too deep, over the top femininity, etc. The fact is that when people hear the word tranny, they don’t think of transmen. They think of transwomen.
There is also the suggestion that people should not try to reclaim slur words that would never have been applied to them in the first place. This means that just because you identify with or belong to a group of people doesn’t mean you’ve faced the same kind of prejudice. For example, a transwoman who is a lesbian shouldn’t try to reclaim the word “dyke” if no one has ever pegged her as a “dyke” and used that term against her. (By the way, I’m not saying that this is my opinion. But this is an opinion.) Just as you might find it strange if a white man called his other white friend “my nigga”. I know I find that strange and people in my 98% white town have done that. White people haven’t had that term thrown at them so they shouldn’t use it to describe themselves.
As I mentioned, that is an opinion, but it is not necessarily my own opinion. I believe people should be able to identify the way they want and they should be able to speak the way they want. However, I think we need to be mindful. Someone may not call you out for using a certain word or identifying a certain way, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be respectful and polite with our language anyway.
But I’m not going to take a side in this debate. The reason I am writing this is because I kind of disagree with both sides.
I actually don’t like the idea of reclaiming slur words. Sometimes I think it works. In the case of the word “queer”, it has become a word that people use to identify their gender or sexual orientation when gay or bi or trans or whatever just doesn’t quite fit. However, the word “queer” is still hurtful to some people so I think we should be careful when we use it. For the most part, I think it would be classier to just use a different word instead of a slur. We already have transgender, and gay, and lesbian; words that explain what we are better than “tranny” or “faggot” or “dyke”. I know these terms are bolder, more radical or revolutionary, but would you use those words with your employer? Your parents? Your little sister or brother? Nephew or niece? My little sister sometimes hangs out with me and my LGBT-identifying friends. But I can’t imagine one of my lesbian friends calling herself a “dyke” in front of my sister. Or a gay friend proclaiming he is a “proud faggot.” Saying that they are trying to “reclaim” the word wouldn’t fly as a good excuse. I don’t want my little sister to think it’s okay to use those words to describe people before she even knows the origins of those slurs and that they are still hurtful to people.
I understand that there are people who strongly identify with these terms now and enjoy calling themselves faggots or dykes or trannies. And I support the freedom to do so. I’m not going to tell anyone how they should or should not identify. And I’m not going to tell anyone what they can and cannot say. But if I am allowed to voice my opinion as well, then I’m saying that it makes me incredibly uncomfortable to hear it. Those words makes me think of terrible things. Hearing the word faggot makes me think of how people are murdered or beaten just for being gay. They remind me of hate and bigotry and fear. I don’t know if anyone has ever used them against me personally, and I can’t even remember the first time I heard any of those words, but I always feel anxious whenever I hear them now.
I don’t want people to label me a “tree-hugger” because I’m a vegetarian and eco-friendly. I’m not over-sensitive and hurt by that word. But when people call me that, it says to me that they do not take my morals seriously. I think “tree-hugger” is rather mild and I would not be offended if someone used it in jest when I knew they held respect for me. But context is key. Some words just signal a level of disrespect towards a group of people. We don’t want to perpetuate the mindset that it’s okay to be disrespectful.
And you won’t hear me trying to reclaim the word “sheepfucker” because of my Scottish heritage either. And I know that it’s not the same as reclaiming “tranny”, because it doesn’t have the same violent history as “tranny” and such. But my point with this one is that I don’t think using slur words restores anyone’s dignity, especially not for the person who is using it. Calling myself a “sheepfucker” would just be weird and inappropriate. Proudly identifying as a “sheepfucker” would not make people take me or that word more seriously. I feel this also applies to words like “faggot” and “dyke” and “tranny”. When people use those words beyond joking around, when they claim it as an identity, I find it harder to take them seriously, because those are still very rude words. People are still using this kind of language to degrade others. I don’t see how we can expect to use those same words and not sound degrading ourselves.
One of my favorite movies is Coach Carter. I love when the coach hears his basketball players calling eachother “nigga” and he calls them out on it. He tells them, “We treat ourselves with respect. We don’t use the word ‘nigga’.”
Respect.
I respect everyone’s right to identify however they wish, and I respect their right to use the language that they want to use. But I hope they respect and consider the fact that those words have been used to cause pain, and no amount of proud reclaimations will erase history.
This is just my opinion. We’re all entitled to one. Mine is that I don’t think we should reclaim slur words when they are still being used as hateful language. I think that when people, not just transmen, use the word “tranny” it is showing everyone that we lack respect for our community and for those outside of our community who do not want to be exposed to hateful speech (because even if you are trying to reclaim it, it is still a slur today). I think it would show class and more respect, not only for ourselves, but for eachother to not use these words. Feel free to leave me a comment with your own opinion. I’d really like to know what others think of this topic of reclaiming slur words. I’m still not sure. On one hand, some people identify with these words better than the non-slur ones. On the other hand, other people are still deeply hurt when they hear it. What do you guys think? Am I being too conservative on this? Do you identify with the word tranny? Am I missing something?
If you do identify with any of these words that I mentioned here, please know that I am not trying to invalidate your identity. We should all be able to identify ourselves the way we want. To each their own.
Discover James 