General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGLAAD's transgender media guide
I pulled some of the information but all of it is worthwhile to read:
http://www.glaad.org/reference/transgender
TRANSGENDER TERMS TO AVOID
PROBLEMATIC TERMS
Problematic: "transgenders," "a transgender"
Preferred: "transgender people," "a transgender person"
Transgender should be used as an adjective, not as a noun. Do not say, "Tony is a transgender," or "The parade included many transgenders." Instead say, "Tony is a transgender man," or "The parade included many transgender people."
Problematic: "transgendered"
Preferred: "transgender"
The adjective transgender should never have an extraneous "-ed" tacked onto the end. An "-ed" suffix adds unnecessary length to the word and can cause tense confusion and grammatical errors. For example, it is grammatically incorrect to turn transgender into a participle, as it is an adjective, not a verb, and only verbs can be used as participles by adding an "-ed" suffix.
Problematic: "sex change," "pre-operative," "post-operative"
Preferred: "transition"
Referring to a sex change operation, or using terms such as pre- or post-operative, inaccurately suggests that one must have surgery in order to transition. Avoid overemphasizing surgery when discussing transgender people or the process of transition.
DEFAMATORY TERMS
Defamatory: "deceptive," "fooling," "pretending," "posing" or "masquerading"
Gender identity is an integral part of a person's identity. Do not characterize transgender people as "deceptive," as "fooling" other people, or as "pretending" to be, "posing" or "masquerading" as a man or a woman. Such descriptions are defamatory and insulting.
Defamatory: "she-male," "he-she," "it," "trannie," "tranny," "shim," "gender-bender"
These words only serve to dehumanize transgender people and should not be used.
Defamatory: "bathroom bill"
A new term created and used by far-right extremists to oppose non-discrimination laws that protect transgender people. The term is geared to incite fear and panic at the thought of encountering transgender people in public restrooms. Use non-discrimination law/ordinance instead.
NAMES, PRONOUN USAGE & DESCRIPTIONS
Always use a transgender person's chosen name. Often transgender people cannot afford a legal name change or are not yet old enough to change their name legally. They should be afforded the same respect for their chosen name as anyone else who lives by a name other than their birth name (e.g., celebrities).
Whenever possible, ask transgender people which pronoun they would like you to use. A person who identifies as a certain gender, whether or not that person has taken hormones or had some form of surgery, should be referred to using the pronouns appropriate for that gender.
If it is not possible to ask a transgender person which pronoun he or she prefers, use the pronoun that is consistent with the person's appearance and gender expression. For example, if a person wears a dress and uses the name Susan, feminine pronouns are appropriate.
It is never appropriate to put quotation marks around either a transgender person's chosen name or the pronoun that reflects that person's gender identity.
bravenak
(34,648 posts)Maybe it will help us understand what not to say. I try to be appropriate, but I didn't know not to put the erd at end. Now I won't embarrass myself or anyone else. You may need to repost later if things get bigoty around here. Some people just don't know.
Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)FreeState
(10,570 posts)thank you!
JackBeck
(12,359 posts)I was going to declare today an internet-free day and take a walk, but unfortunately it's raining here in NYC.
myrna minx
(22,772 posts)JackBeck
(12,359 posts)Hopefully this will elevate the conversation about trans identified folks and the problems they face in the prison industrial complex.
myrna minx
(22,772 posts)at least one person learns something new and thoughtful to help empathize with our trans friends, it will be a good day.
FreeState
(10,570 posts)I can't believe some of the things I have read supposedly liberal posters say today. We have a long way to go.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)Vanje
(9,766 posts)Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)MNBrewer
(8,462 posts)SOME DUers need to read this, pronto.
Cerridwen
(13,252 posts)My apologies for pissing in your thread.
This board is not about human experience or the small "d" associated with democratic (the people's concerns); this board is about big "D"s; not subtlety and nuance. "We" have a political game to win!
"It's just business (LLC), nothing personal."
And with that, I'm out. I will not again "piss" in your thread. (though I may get ppr'd.)
Again; my apologies.
Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)The ignorance (or the unwillingness to learn and accept) has been depressing.
Take care, Cerridwen. Take care.
winter is coming
(11,785 posts)Cerridwen
(13,252 posts)Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)morningfog
(18,115 posts)Laughing Mirror
(4,185 posts)I hope everybody gets to read this and learn this and fully incorporate it into their daily usage. And again, when in doubt, just ask.
myrna minx
(22,772 posts)Solly Mack
(90,758 posts)The Link
(757 posts)Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)with out transgender people and when they are portrayed in entertainment, it is usually not in a positive light.