TRANSform me
Pick of the week
Cameron Herdman / Vancouver / Thursday, April 08, 2010
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Gay men have long been con-sidered fashion gurus for our ability to accessorize and deliver frank advice with two snaps and a clap.

But trannies are horning in on our territory and why not? Trannies know how a bra should fit — unlike gay men who only use such devices as drag props and coffee filters (sometimes concurrently).
(Left/Right Entertainment)


VH1’s new makeover show, TRANSform Me, takes the fashionably challenged and places them in the large, well-manicured hands of Laverne, Jamie and Nina, three fabulous MTFs who know a thing or two about expressing personal style.

This could have hot tranny mess written all over it, but think about it: when it comes to knowing how clothes fit, how a woman should curve and what’s in style, an about-town tranny had to learn the ropes from the ground up. She knows her shit.



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Reader Comments


 
Unacceptable pejoratives are not welcome!
"Tr***ies" is an unacceptable pejorative when discussing transgender people. It's demeaning, dehumanizing and offensive to a large portion of the trans community. Please refrain from using the term from now on. Gay people don;t like others to use the words, "fa***t" or "d**e." Please defer the same respect to those who consider "tr***y" to be in the same league. thnx. Emelye
Emelye Waldherr, Jamestown New York
04/08/10 10:34 AM EST
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oppression is not new
Despite, or probably because, of the "light" approach to a population this author has declared himself NOT to be a part of, this "breezy" approach falls flat on its face. The busted nose, white clearly on the face of the gay man--and this gay publication--nevertheless has serious consequences for transsexual and transgender women. "Hot tranny mess" may be acceptable in a Pink Triangle Press publication--which excludes not only transsexual and transgender people from its mandate, but also bisexual people--is not acceptable. Period. Oppression from this publication is not new--nor is the defense that as gay people they are oppressed too and cannot oppress others because of it. Nor is the expected response that transsexual and transgender women should develop a sense of humour. Oppression is oppression. And those who experience should know better than to pass it on.
jessica, ottawa ontario
04/08/10 11:32 AM EST
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Presumption
Cameron, while I suspect you're just being enthusiastic and attempting to appear hip, your "tranny, tranny, tranny" is really a sign of disrespect towards trans women. Do we sometimes use the term... yes, among ourselves. Some trans women are okay with it and others find it to be hate speech and a put down. Does that mean people who aren't trans women get to throw it around whenever they feel like... no. You saying it here does not sound respectful nor affirming of the Transform Me women's identities. You can do better.
gina morvay, san Franicsco CA
04/10/10 2:08 PM EST
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Disrespectful
While I'm sure you did not mean to offend anybody, your use of a word that has often been used to stigmatize and objectify transwomen is highly inappropriate. Although some transwomen choose to refer to themselves in such a way as a form of self-empowerment, that does not make it acceptable for somebody who has not experienced their oppression to use that term. It is comparable to an author of an article about gay men or women in a newspaper such as the Metro using terms to refer to them that have been used as insults or slurs against them. This does not happen because most people have the good sense not to use these terms and recognize how offensive they may be.
Jack S, Vancouver BC
04/18/10 2:00 AM EST
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