3 ms·

As a trans, I'm more offended of your use of "t*" than "tranny". The word isn't unspeakable and to me, there is no difference between "she's trans" and "she's a

by Nadya 11y ago

As a trans, I'm more offended of your use of "t*" than "tranny". The word isn't unspeakable and to me, there is no difference between "she's trans" and "she's a tranny". By treating it as an "unspeakable" you give it power. Context matters. If someone wants to use "trans" as an insult, they will. "Don't speak to me you trans" and "Don't speak to me you tranny" are both offensive remarks. The difference of using "trans" or "tranny" doesn't change the message. I'd also like to note that the use of "tranny" is still used self-referencingly by many trans. "Queer" is an insult where I am from but many homosexuals are increasingly using it self-referencingly ("I'm queer.") and I see less people get all up-in-arms over the word "queer" than "tranny", which I find strange.

danharaj 11y ago
My choice of words is shaped by the wishes of the trans woman closest to me in life. I will respect your personal decisions about the words you use, but my use of words must be subordinate to my respect for the people I hold dearest to me, and I will advocate for a world where they do not need to put up with words that inspire fear being used blithely by people indifferent or hostile towards them.
- Nadya 11y ago
  You're free to advocate otherwise. Others are free to ignore you or advocate against you. It is my belief that giving words power is silly. By fearing them you show others that they can use that word to control you. If you are indifferent, their words fall flat. They become weak and powerless. By advocating the fear of words, you give them increased power. You teach people to fear the word because it can hold power over others. Those who wish to abuse that power will see that and use the word. In the end you result in the abusers having more power, people with no ill-intent to feel bad for the usage, and people whom the word is targeted at grow more fearful of it. That's a lose-lose for all involved. By not giving the word an "unspeakable" status - the abusers realize the word holds no power and stop using it, people who have no ill-intent don't have to feel bad for using the wrong word, and the people whom the word targets don't grow to fear the word. I find advocates of making a word "unspeakable" because it, in certain contexts, can be "bad" is counterproductive is all. You increase the power of the word, nasty people will use it with even more glee, and nothing is accomplished other than self-victimization.

by Nadya 11y ago

danharaj 11y ago

My choice of words is shaped by the wishes of the trans woman closest to me in life. I will respect your personal decisions about the words you use, but my use of words must be subordinate to my respect for the people I hold dearest to me, and I will advocate for a world where they do not need to put up with words that inspire fear being used blithely by people indifferent or hostile towards them.

Nadya 11y ago
You're free to advocate otherwise. Others are free to ignore you or advocate against you. It is my belief that giving words power is silly. By fearing them you show others that they can use that word to control you. If you are indifferent, their words fall flat. They become weak and powerless. By advocating the fear of words, you give them increased power. You teach people to fear the word because it can hold power over others. Those who wish to abuse that power will see that and use the word. In the end you result in the abusers having more power, people with no ill-intent to feel bad for the usage, and people whom the word is targeted at grow more fearful of it. That's a lose-lose for all involved. By not giving the word an "unspeakable" status - the abusers realize the word holds no power and stop using it, people who have no ill-intent don't have to feel bad for using the wrong word, and the people whom the word targets don't grow to fear the word. I find advocates of making a word "unspeakable" because it, in certain contexts, can be "bad" is counterproductive is all. You increase the power of the word, nasty people will use it with even more glee, and nothing is accomplished other than self-victimization.