Ask a trans person!

[theoddz]

I'm with what Linus and Nadeest have said, above. I don't like the idea of this setting some sort of "precedent" and I certainly don't care for the way that the "Oprah machine" has taken this and turned it into a sort of "shock TV" sort of thing. It smacks of the Jerry Springer effect. We're not freaks and transitioning is about doing a helluva lot of work on a very basic aspect of a person's sense of self (gender identity). I think we can all agree here that gender identity and sexual orientation are two VERY separate, but equally important issues.

I do wonder, though, if there is another side of this story that the Oprah producers didn't shine the light on, too, for the sake of the "shock" factor and the ratings game. I would like to know if Jacki's decision was based on the issue of sexual orientation or gender identity. When the word "loophole" was used, it made us all think first that this is a same-sex (sexual orientation) issue.

I think that, when we have, usually, seen transgender stories, the emphasis has (usually) always been on the issue of gender identity and all of the issues that one faces on the process of becoming who we truly are, inside. That's the way it SHOULD be, because that is what it is. In this case, however, the word "loophole" was (to me) "emphasized", quickly shifting our attention to the slant that some sort of "deception"/exploitation was involved. One does NOT change their gender in order to marry a same sex partner. That is clearly exploiting the gender identity issue to accommodate something far different.....sexual orientation. The fact that the Oprah producers presented it as such is a particularly insulting disservice to each and every person who struggles with gender identity issues. I detest that. Our society makes it difficult enough for transfolk, without powerful entities, such as the media, putting this sort of shit out there.

I don't like it.

I remember the "pregnant man" stories about Thomas Beatie, some years back. When that happened, I can't begin to tell you how I felt when some of the (more close minded) nurses at work would ask me, "So Theo, when are YOU going to have a baby??". Ugh. I still don't have the words to describe my anger and how flabbergasted I felt. Let me just say that it really, really cut me to the core. It was cruel, and although I fully supported Thomas's right to do what he wanted with his body and live the way he and his wife wanted, it DID have an effect on me. It wasn't his fault, though, unless HE sought the media attention and I cannot remember the details of that, whether he did or not. Thing is, the media can reinforce bad stereotypes and encourage idiots to hold idiotic views. THAT is what I fault. My point of view is that a person has the right to do what they want, as long as it doesn't hurt others. This hurt others.

~Theo~