The RuPaul Drag T*Word Controversy

candy_coated_bitch · 05-30-2014, 11:59 AM

This is the thing that keeps bugging me: Who gets to say that RuPaul isn't "trans enough" to be part of the "in group" that gets to use the word tranny? Who? Who are the keepers of that key? The ones that wave the magic wand and grant any person that right to use it?

THAT is the part of the argument that kills me. That RuPaul is merely JUST a drag queen. JUST a performer. Not REALLY trans. Not ACTUALLY a trans woman--so what right does she have to use language that has oppressed trans women? Again, I am not trying to say that RuPaul has the same experience as trans women who live their lives 24/7 as women. Yes, that's a different thing. BUT the word trans*, in my opinion, covers a wide range of experience INCLUDING those who experience their gender as being in a state of flux. Do I know everything about Ru Paul's personal identifications? Nope. But from what I see she COULD fit into that category and I am not going to make a judgment over the fact that she doesn't deserve to use that language because she's not trans*. (I did look it up after Martina pointed it out to me, and RuPaul is indeed comfortable with both pronouns.)

EDITED TO ADD: The word "tranny" has been to used to oppress drag queens for longer than our modern conception of transgender ever existed. Queens were also historically the targets of heinous violence, just like the rest of our community. I am unsure why we think of them now as some kind of privileged class....And I honestly don't feel the onus is on RuPaul to prove to me that she's TRANS ENOUGH.

I do disagree with some of the points you posted in the TransAdvocate article, Dapper.

(separation because this rant is not aimed at you personally) I do believe there are situations when a person should moderate their speech and choose their words more carefully. But this is a show about DRAG QUEENS for crying out loud. Really? A Drag competition should be sanitary and PC? For me, part of the joy of Drag Queens is the fact that they push the envelope. Who wants to see a PC drag performance? Personally, I wouldn't waste my time. I think artists SHOULD push the envelope. And yeah, I consider RuPaul a fucking artist. I don't think RuPaul owes the community anything in terms of expunging her vocabulary because she has a TV show and a "brand". I want the opposite, as a matter of fact. I want the larger-than-life, offensive, nelly queen fucking BITCH that I have come to know and love in the past over two decades. I think she's earned that right.

I think that this debate about language is a good thing. The queer community, and the trans community contained within, are never going to agree on this. I know as many people who hate the word tranny as those who love it. And that's good. I will probably ALWAYS be on the side of the argument that reclaimed language is a good thing and if a person sees fit to reclaim that language, so be it.

Also--even right at this very minute on Logo's web site they state that their intent is to provide programming that is "OUTRAGEOUS" with characters that are "UNAPOLOGETIC". And in another quote I read that they seek to provide "FIERCE" programming. Well--that's what we got. Outrageous, fierce, and unapologetic.

imperfect_cupcake · 05-30-2014, 01:28 PM

I see she has clarified to mean tranny = Transexual. Not transgender.
Ok, I can see a Transexual person getting irritated by a transgender person calling them tranny. I can also see a black bi gender/gender flux (most bi gender/gender flux people use two pronouns, hello?) telling another performer to get over herself already. Has anyone actually *been* behind the scenes at a performance with Queens? Theirs caustic bitchy humour and very, very, VERY thick skin is an expression of part of what they have lived through in order to be themselves and perform. One of the only ways you used to be able to get a bloody job as a queen was to be a performer.
That would be equivilant as the only way you could be open and butch and still eat was to put it on stage.

In the UK they do an all Queens show of "the weakest link" a game show where you answer trivia questions , every one having a turn until someone screws up and loses the round. Then then vote off the least knowledgable person. When they Do a Queens version, they rip holes in the host, the audience and each other with sarcastic wit. That is the weapon of choice for drag performance.

I personally would be horrified if someone cis and straight I knew called one of my Transexual friends (who ID as Transexual) as "tranny" .

Coming from a culture where you skin is supposed to be thick, and the way to answer an insult is to answer back with something wittier and more caustic, or you get made into a target? A good comeback is worth 10,000 upset demands.

And that has been made into a TV program. Has anyone ever watched Never Mind the Buzzcocks? They rip the living piss out of each other for a laugh. I watch American musicians show up on that show and they look horrified, repulsed, upset, and offended usually until about 75% of the way through the show when they start to understand that the insults and sarcasm and wit is not to be taken in an American form of offence kind of way. You see them start to "get it" smile, and laugh. queens, as far as I remember, operate from the same place.

It's overly dramatic, caustic, sarcastic, catty and sharp. I don't know the intent behind the word. The intent could have been to hurt or the intent could have been playfully piss taking. I have no idea. I bet this has brought a whole lot of attention to Ru Paul's show though.

Loren_Q · 05-30-2014, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by candy_coated_bitch

This is the thing that keeps bugging me: Who gets to say that RuPaul isn't "trans enough" to be part of the "in group" that gets to use the word tranny? Who? Who are the keepers of that key? The ones that wave the magic wand and grant any person that right to use it?

I agree with this. I can relate because as a petite butch cis-female I'm often told I'm not butch enough.

I'm also old enough where the 'T' word was used by transwomen, drag queens and transvestites (anyone else remember the 70s?)

Back then, I recognized it as a term they used for themselves and like 'Dyke' was a pejorative when used by someone outside of that tribe.

I still feel that way. I don't use the word, and today if a 'non-cross-dressing' cis-gendered person uses it I speak up. It's not theirs to use.

05-30-2014, 11:59 AM	#1
candy_coated_bitch Pixie Stick How Do You Identify?: The arteest formerly known as musicfemme. Preferred Pronoun?: She. Relationship Status: Happily taken. Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 11,293 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 31,723 Thanked 31,824 Times in 6,109 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	This is the thing that keeps bugging me: Who gets to say that RuPaul isn't "trans enough" to be part of the "in group" that gets to use the word tranny? Who? Who are the keepers of that key? The ones that wave the magic wand and grant any person that right to use it? THAT is the part of the argument that kills me. That RuPaul is merely JUST a drag queen. JUST a performer. Not REALLY trans. Not ACTUALLY a trans woman--so what right does she have to use language that has oppressed trans women? Again, I am not trying to say that RuPaul has the same experience as trans women who live their lives 24/7 as women. Yes, that's a different thing. BUT the word trans, in my opinion, covers a wide range of experience INCLUDING those who experience their gender as being in a state of flux. Do I know everything about Ru Paul's personal identifications? Nope. But from what I see she COULD fit into that category and I am not going to make a judgment over the fact that she doesn't deserve to use that language because she's not trans. (I did look it up after Martina pointed it out to me, and RuPaul is indeed comfortable with both pronouns.) EDITED TO ADD: The word "tranny" has been to used to oppress drag queens for longer than our modern conception of transgender ever existed. Queens were also historically the targets of heinous violence, just like the rest of our community. I am unsure why we think of them now as some kind of privileged class....And I honestly don't feel the onus is on RuPaul to prove to me that she's TRANS ENOUGH. I do disagree with some of the points you posted in the TransAdvocate article, Dapper. (separation because this rant is not aimed at you personally) I do believe there are situations when a person should moderate their speech and choose their words more carefully. But this is a show about DRAG QUEENS for crying out loud. Really? A Drag competition should be sanitary and PC? For me, part of the joy of Drag Queens is the fact that they push the envelope. Who wants to see a PC drag performance? Personally, I wouldn't waste my time. I think artists SHOULD push the envelope. And yeah, I consider RuPaul a fucking artist. I don't think RuPaul owes the community anything in terms of expunging her vocabulary because she has a TV show and a "brand". I want the opposite, as a matter of fact. I want the larger-than-life, offensive, nelly queen fucking BITCH that I have come to know and love in the past over two decades. I think she's earned that right. I think that this debate about language is a good thing. The queer community, and the trans community contained within, are never going to agree on this. I know as many people who hate the word tranny as those who love it. And that's good. I will probably ALWAYS be on the side of the argument that reclaimed language is a good thing and if a person sees fit to reclaim that language, so be it. Also--even right at this very minute on Logo's web site they state that their intent is to provide programming that is "OUTRAGEOUS" with characters that are "UNAPOLOGETIC". And in another quote I read that they seek to provide "FIERCE" programming. Well--that's what we got. Outrageous, fierce, and unapologetic. __________________ My Etsy Shop My Patreon My Website

05-30-2014, 01:28 PM	#2
imperfect_cupcake Senior Member How Do You Identify?: feminine dolly dyke Preferred Pronoun?: Your Grace Relationship Status: I put my own care first Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: In a gauze of mystery Posts: 1,776 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,426 Thanked 9,712 Times in 1,611 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	I see she has clarified to mean tranny = Transexual. Not transgender. Ok, I can see a Transexual person getting irritated by a transgender person calling them tranny. I can also see a black bi gender/gender flux (most bi gender/gender flux people use two pronouns, hello?) telling another performer to get over herself already. Has anyone actually been behind the scenes at a performance with Queens? Theirs caustic bitchy humour and very, very, VERY thick skin is an expression of part of what they have lived through in order to be themselves and perform. One of the only ways you used to be able to get a bloody job as a queen was to be a performer. That would be equivilant as the only way you could be open and butch and still eat was to put it on stage. In the UK they do an all Queens show of "the weakest link" a game show where you answer trivia questions , every one having a turn until someone screws up and loses the round. Then then vote off the least knowledgable person. When they Do a Queens version, they rip holes in the host, the audience and each other with sarcastic wit. That is the weapon of choice for drag performance. I personally would be horrified if someone cis and straight I knew called one of my Transexual friends (who ID as Transexual) as "tranny" . Coming from a culture where you skin is supposed to be thick, and the way to answer an insult is to answer back with something wittier and more caustic, or you get made into a target? A good comeback is worth 10,000 upset demands. And that has been made into a TV program. Has anyone ever watched Never Mind the Buzzcocks? They rip the living piss out of each other for a laugh. I watch American musicians show up on that show and they look horrified, repulsed, upset, and offended usually until about 75% of the way through the show when they start to understand that the insults and sarcasm and wit is not to be taken in an American form of offence kind of way. You see them start to "get it" smile, and laugh. queens, as far as I remember, operate from the same place. It's overly dramatic, caustic, sarcastic, catty and sharp. I don't know the intent behind the word. The intent could have been to hurt or the intent could have been playfully piss taking. I have no idea. I bet this has brought a whole lot of attention to Ru Paul's show though. Last edited by imperfect_cupcake; 05-30-2014 at 01:31 PM.