"Becoming Chaz"

[Heart]

Originally Posted by citybutch

""It's a shame women can't feel it," Chaz says, "and know how biological it is.""

The implication Chaz made was that women do not feel the same level of sex drives as men... and that just is not true..

What made me wince in Chaz's comment was the possible subtext (totally unintentional I'm sure) that if women could understand how biological men's sex drive is, they might excuse sexually aggressive behavior, be more willing to meet men's need for sex, etc etc etc... it's the kind of thinking that, in the extreme, has been used to justify rape.

Heart

[atomiczombie]

Originally Posted by Heart

What made me wince in Chaz's comment was the possible subtext (totally unintentional I'm sure) that if women could understand how biological men's sex drive is, they might excuse sexually aggressive behavior, be more willing to meet men's need for sex, etc etc etc... it's the kind of thinking that, in the extreme, has been used to justify rape.

Heart

I can totally see how that can be interpreted that way, which is why words need to be chosen very carefully when talking about these kinds of subjects. I think I understand what Chaz was trying to say, at least I think so. When I went on T and started on my full dose back in November, I was just shocked at how high my sex drive went. I have never experienced anything like that in my life. It was actually overwhelming for me. I imagine that is what Chaz was getting at. However, no amount of hormone-driven sex drive justifies bad behavior, especially rape. But I honestly do not think that Chaz was trying to justify anything, just making note of how much his sex drive changed on the T.

[Mister Bent]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I can totally see how that can be interpreted that way, which is why words need to be chosen very carefully when talking about these kinds of subjects. I think I understand what Chaz was trying to say, at least I think so. When I went on T and started on my full dose back in November, I was just shocked at how high my sex drive went. I have never experienced anything like that in my life. It was actually overwhelming for me. I imagine that is what Chaz was getting at. However, no amount of hormone-driven sex drive justifies bad behavior, especially rape. But I honestly do not think that Chaz was trying to justify anything, just making note of how much his sex drive changed on the T.

Chaz made a couple of statements that felt a little "over compensatory" to me, perhaps trying to define that line between who he was when he lived as a lesbian and the man he is now. (For example, how much women talk, gossip, etc.) It's not uncommon, but it was decidedly sexist.

As much as these statements made me outwardly cringe, especially the one referenced here, I think any subtext can only be implied by others. It really felt to me more a matter of his own astonishment at how high sex drive is not a myth. I understand where Heart is coming from, and it's a point worth making, but it really feels reaching to assume Chaz meant that women "might excuse sexually aggressive behavior, be more willing to meet men's need for sex..."

[Heart]

Originally Posted by Mister Bent

I understand where Heart is coming from, and it's a point worth making, but it really feels reaching to assume Chaz meant that women "might excuse sexually aggressive behavior, be more willing to meet men's need for sex..."

Well, I made the point worth making, so not sure where the "but" comes from, as I did not assume that Chaz was referencing assault or rape. It is possible to understand and support Chaz in his personal journey, (which he is choosing to make public for good reasons), and still examine the implications of his use of sexist language. They are not mutually exclusive of one another.

Heart

[Mister Bent]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Good read titled Trans Framing, or why Chaz Bono doesn't speak for me

The author also draws some comparisons to what Chaz's doc did for public opinion versus what the movie Boys Don't Cry did. Well written.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/0...t-speak-for-me

Thanks for posting this, Thinker, it's a thoughtful and well stated piece. It also helped me put my finger on some of the issues I couldn't name, but were lingering as bothersome for me, especially on this notion of "becoming" when in fact, one already "is." As well as:

"I think it's unfortunate that we've moved from that powerful narrative of trans maleness as authentic identity to a narrative of transition as medically- and surgically-constructed masculinity."

Originally Posted by Heart

Well, I made the point worth making, so not sure where the "but" comes from, as I did not assume that Chaz was referencing assault or rape. It is possible to understand and support Chaz in his personal journey, (which he is choosing to make public for good reasons), and still examine the implications of his use of sexist language. They are not mutually exclusive of one another.

Heart

Of course they are not mutually exclusive of one another, and I absolute agree his use of sexist language - in multiple applications - should be examined (most especially by him).

Thank you for clarifying that you did not "assume that Chaz was referencing assault or rape." That was from whence my "but" came, since his intent is unknown. I'm very glad you opened up the discussion on Chaz sexist language, as it was something that stood out to me while watching the documentary, and which astounded me.