Although much of the uproar surrounding the RuPaul “tranny” controversy has dissipated since it began in March, many people are still infuriated by RuPaul for being so insensitive to the transgender community. The debate has led to many transgender people speaking out about the issue, from Carmen Carrera to Calpernia Addams, and now, finally, ‘Orange is the New Black’ star Laverne Cox has shared her two cents on the issue.
During a recent episode of Bravo’s talk show ‘Watch What Happens Live’, the show’s host, Any Cohen, asked Laverne what her stance on the issue was. This was her response:
[quote]Oh gosh. You know, the reality for me as a trans women is I believe there are so many more intense issues we should be focusing on in the trans community – the homicide rate is crazy, the unemployment rate, discrimination – so I like to focus on those things instead of – and language certainly is important, but I like to focus on other issues that are just more important.”[/quote]
Watch the full clip below.
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Jodie
I have so much love for Laverne and I totally agree; this is not an issue, there’s far bigger issues at stake.
ngblog
There could be another reason Laverne Cox did not want to answer; Cox owns a production company called Nook And Tranny Productions.
Truth
I didn’t realize Laverne Cox was a Valley Girl.
Papa Mincho
It’s an age/region thing. The girls I’ve dated in red states closer to my age (30) all use the term as a term of endearment, and encourage the use of the term outside the community. It’s only since moving to Portland, Oregon and starting to date younger (23 and below) that I’ve noticed the girls reacting like I’m using the ‘N’ word, and I’ve altered my language accordingly.
Then again, those ‘girls’ hate being described as such, and prefer terms like ‘queer’. I describe myself as ‘bisexual’, which is also considered offensive somehow.
These internecine, intramural squabbles between the GLBT/LGBT/LBGTI/LBGTIQ cohort really need to stop. Sexual identity is constantly evolving, and we can get tripped up about language without getting tripped out. There’s a distinction between ‘swinger’ and ‘poly’, but one isn’t inherently better than the other.