Quote from RuPaul's Twitter: "I’ve been a “tranny” for 32 years. The word “tranny” has never just meant transsexual. #TransvestiteHerstoryLesson"
As I said before--the word tranny has a long history and Drag Queens and transvestites have been a part of that history. THAT's why I am ok with it.
This is the article where I got the quote:
http://www.salon.com/2014/05/27/rupa...e_term_tranny/
I have not seen what Medusa referred to as RuPaul stating that the word "tranny" means just transsexual. Actually, I've read the opposite, as the above suggests. In the above quote he says the opposite. That tranny is part of his/her LIVED EXPERIENCE. Everything I have read suggests that RuPaul identifies with the word. I don't think one has to identify as a woman to identify as gender variant or as a tranny. That word has DECADES and DECADES of history--and yes much of it is in the context of tranvestites and queens. I am absolutely ok with someone that has that lived experience to use that word. I am ok with the people I know who are NOT transsexual women using the word tranny, if they relate to that experience.
I understand the word is offensive to many, I understand it is used as a weapon against trans women all the time. But I still stand by the right of anyone who identifies with a word to reclaim it and use it all they want. The word tranny existed before trans women even existed in the way we conceive of it in queer culture today. So, no--I don't think trans women own the word. If one looks at the etymology of the word it came into use mainly around Drag Queens and transvestites.
Do you really think RuPaul has not experienced considerable backlash for being who he is? For being a Drag Queen? I imagine the word tranny has been leveled at her MANY times.
I get that words like this can be violent and used as weapons. And I am not going to sit here and defend the right of just ANYONE to use the word tranny. However, I will defend RuPaul's right to use it. I imagine many don't agree with me and that's ok.