lady gaga perpetuates transphobia?

Below is a great, quick, analysis of lady gaga and how she adds to transphobia. (gudbuy t'jane, btw, is a great blog that's "a trans woman on gender, feminism, and glam rock (among other things)")

I really agree with a few of her points and think that the overall analysis is v. eloquent and dead on. one of her points that I think is v. insightful is that by putting transwomen and drag queens in her videos she is adding to the "exoticism" and sexualization of non-heteronormative people. well, she says it better, so read on peeps:

Yes, Lady Gaga, we get it. You can stop worrying that people think you’re a trans woman.

I’ve made no bones before about my lack of awe for Lady Gaga. It’s not that I have anything against her specifically, but I find the aggrandizement of her as a radically different feminist artist as shallow: she’s able-bodied, cis, blonde, thin, and conventionally attractive (I find the argument that she’s somehow shattering beauty norms really hard to swallow), and generally taking part in the privilege of attraction as western culture grants it.

As a trans woman, she mostly caught my attention due to the transphobic and intersex-phobic rumours about her being either trans or intersex. While these rumours were typically a product of living in a transphobic and transmisogynist culture, Lady Gaga’s response was one of gender and genital essentialism, stating that her vagina was offended by the claims.

It seems with her latest video she’s continuing this gender essentialism, slipping in a “no dick = not a tranny” joke at about a minute in, before the song even begins to play. The scene is set in a prison, and after being dragged to her cell and stripped by two women who appear to be trans Lady Gaga climbs up against the bars in a shot clearly designed to dispel any rumours. At that point one of the trans women guards says to the other “I told you she didn’t have a dick,” and they walk away.

When the original rumours about Lady Gaga’s genitals were circulating I stayed away from the story for the most part out of respect for her. Her offended vagina comment quickly lost my support, however. That she’s using trans women and drag queens to exoticize her videos doesn’t defer from the cissupremacist stance that women = vagina, and trans women are therefore not real women. Her anxiety at being seen as trans is clear, and her response is typical of cis privilege and trans marginalization: We’re supposed to wipe our brows and sigh relief that she’s actually a real woman. This is transmisogyny.

lady gaga perpetuates transphobia?

Below is a great, quick, analysis of lady gaga and how she adds to transphobia. (gudbuy t'jane, btw, is a great blog that's "a trans woman on gender, feminism, and glam rock (among other things)")

I really agree with a few of her points and think that the overall analysis is v. eloquent and dead on. one of her points that I think is v. insightful is that by putting transwomen and drag queens in her videos she is adding to the "exoticism" and sexualization of non-heteronormative people. well, she says it better, so read on peeps:

Yes, Lady Gaga, we get it. You can stop worrying that people think you’re a trans woman.

I’ve made no bones before about my lack of awe for Lady Gaga. It’s not that I have anything against her specifically, but I find the aggrandizement of her as a radically different feminist artist as shallow: she’s able-bodied, cis, blonde, thin, and conventionally attractive (I find the argument that she’s somehow shattering beauty norms really hard to swallow), and generally taking part in the privilege of attraction as western culture grants it.

As a trans woman, she mostly caught my attention due to the transphobic and intersex-phobic rumours about her being either trans or intersex. While these rumours were typically a product of living in a transphobic and transmisogynist culture, Lady Gaga’s response was one of gender and genital essentialism, stating that her vagina was offended by the claims.

It seems with her latest video she’s continuing this gender essentialism, slipping in a “no dick = not a tranny” joke at about a minute in, before the song even begins to play. The scene is set in a prison, and after being dragged to her cell and stripped by two women who appear to be trans Lady Gaga climbs up against the bars in a shot clearly designed to dispel any rumours. At that point one of the trans women guards says to the other “I told you she didn’t have a dick,” and they walk away.

When the original rumours about Lady Gaga’s genitals were circulating I stayed away from the story for the most part out of respect for her. Her offended vagina comment quickly lost my support, however. That she’s using trans women and drag queens to exoticize her videos doesn’t defer from the cissupremacist stance that women = vagina, and trans women are therefore not real women. Her anxiety at being seen as trans is clear, and her response is typical of cis privilege and trans marginalization: We’re supposed to wipe our brows and sigh relief that she’s actually a real woman. This is transmisogyny.

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Mr. fantasy got me the book wetlands by charlotte roche for VD (even though we didn't really celebrate it). i don't know if this book has blown up yet stateside or if it's just a european thing at the moment but it's getting a lot of press for being disgustingly honest about the female body.

The main character, Helen, is laid up in the hospital after a shaving incident and recalls stories of past sexual experiences and contemplates her own body, much to the discomfort of the reader. I'm having an easy time reading it (i mean that i've read like 150 pages in one day which is a lot for me because i get distracted easily) but i've almost gagged 3 times. and i do not have a weak constitution. even though i like being inappropes and like this style of writing, i don't really know that it's some feminist piece of literature like people are making it out to be. i'd say so far 60% of the gross stuff is just being foul for the sake of getting a reaction and not necessarily rethinking social taboos (aka period sex). i still think you should read it though.

here is a little sample for you:

" When I jerk somebody off, i always make sure that some cum gets on my hand. I run my fingers through it and let it dry under my long nails. That way, later in the day, i can reminice about my good fuck partner by biting my nails and getting bits of the hardened cum to play with in my mouth; i chew on it and, after tasting it and letting it slowly dissolve, I swallow it. It's an invention i'm very proud of: the memorable-sex bonbon."

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Mr. fantasy got me the book wetlands by charlotte roche for VD (even though we didn't really celebrate it). i don't know if this book has blown up yet stateside or if it's just a european thing at the moment but it's getting a lot of press for being disgustingly honest about the female body.

The main character, Helen, is laid up in the hospital after a shaving incident and recalls stories of past sexual experiences and contemplates her own body, much to the discomfort of the reader. I'm having an easy time reading it (i mean that i've read like 150 pages in one day which is a lot for me because i get distracted easily) but i've almost gagged 3 times. and i do not have a weak constitution. even though i like being inappropes and like this style of writing, i don't really know that it's some feminist piece of literature like people are making it out to be. i'd say so far 60% of the gross stuff is just being foul for the sake of getting a reaction and not necessarily rethinking social taboos (aka period sex). i still think you should read it though.

here is a little sample for you:

" When I jerk somebody off, i always make sure that some cum gets on my hand. I run my fingers through it and let it dry under my long nails. That way, later in the day, i can reminice about my good fuck partner by biting my nails and getting bits of the hardened cum to play with in my mouth; i chew on it and, after tasting it and letting it slowly dissolve, I swallow it. It's an invention i'm very proud of: the memorable-sex bonbon."

"the not rape epidemic"

this is a fabulously written essay by Latoya Peterson about how (unfortunately) nearly every single girl or female is "not raped" in her life and rationalizes as such. ranging from, "well he only grabbed my ass, it's not like he raped me," to "he knocked me on the ground and grabbed my boobs and kissed me when I said no, but it's not rape," and beyond.

I think this is a wonderful essay that girls AND boys should read, and then pass it on to everybody they know. and it should be required reading in health class.


they talk about it on jezebel's site -- tatiana, the anonymous model talks about it in terms of the fashion/modeling world (her posts are literary and always an interesting peek into life as a model).


the only thing latoya doesn't touch upon which I think is a very important aspect of this subject is how to balance protecting yourself/acting smartly in situations and being fearful everytime you walk down the street.

"the not rape epidemic"

this is a fabulously written essay by Latoya Peterson about how (unfortunately) nearly every single girl or female is "not raped" in her life and rationalizes as such. ranging from, "well he only grabbed my ass, it's not like he raped me," to "he knocked me on the ground and grabbed my boobs and kissed me when I said no, but it's not rape," and beyond.

I think this is a wonderful essay that girls AND boys should read, and then pass it on to everybody they know. and it should be required reading in health class.


they talk about it on jezebel's site -- tatiana, the anonymous model talks about it in terms of the fashion/modeling world (her posts are literary and always an interesting peek into life as a model).


the only thing latoya doesn't touch upon which I think is a very important aspect of this subject is how to balance protecting yourself/acting smartly in situations and being fearful everytime you walk down the street.

yay failblog

yay failblog

ummmmm no.

fuck this. this article says that "cosby sweaters" are back in style. 1) they never went OUT of style and 2) what they are calling cosby sweaters are NOT cosby sweaters.

they're saying that the ugly shit below are cosby-esque. "A little crazy...but cool, too." (that is a quote, I didn't make that up).

fuck that noise. THESE are cosby sweaters. they incorporate the rules.

5 requirements to be a cosby sweater

1. bright colors (preferablly orange, yellow, and blue)

2. textured fabrics (wool or cotton as a base with at least 1/4 inch coming up off of the sweater)

3. at least 3 squiggly lines

4. convey some sort of emotion (happiness, content, bewildered)
5. I can't think of another, so there's only gonna be 4

oh and btw, when I was looking up to see if there really were any rules to having a cosby sweater (there weren't), I found this sex definition on urbandictionary.com. stop being into it you perv.

Cosby Sweater
The sexual act of eating Fruit Loops, Fruity Pebbles, Trix, and Boo Berry -- or any other 'bright, colorful' breakfast cereals -- and then vomitting the tacky, dazzling mixture onto your partners chest. The result should look similar to the incredible sweaters that Bill Cosby wore during his highly successful 1980's sitcom "The Cosby Show."

ummmmm no.

fuck this. this article says that "cosby sweaters" are back in style. 1) they never went OUT of style and 2) what they are calling cosby sweaters are NOT cosby sweaters.

they're saying that the ugly shit below are cosby-esque. "A little crazy...but cool, too." (that is a quote, I didn't make that up).

fuck that noise. THESE are cosby sweaters. they incorporate the rules.

5 requirements to be a cosby sweater

1. bright colors (preferablly orange, yellow, and blue)

2. textured fabrics (wool or cotton as a base with at least 1/4 inch coming up off of the sweater)

3. at least 3 squiggly lines

4. convey some sort of emotion (happiness, content, bewildered)
5. I can't think of another, so there's only gonna be 4

oh and btw, when I was looking up to see if there really were any rules to having a cosby sweater (there weren't), I found this sex definition on urbandictionary.com. stop being into it you perv.

Cosby Sweater
The sexual act of eating Fruit Loops, Fruity Pebbles, Trix, and Boo Berry -- or any other 'bright, colorful' breakfast cereals -- and then vomitting the tacky, dazzling mixture onto your partners chest. The result should look similar to the incredible sweaters that Bill Cosby wore during his highly successful 1980's sitcom "The Cosby Show."

debwa loves....

tv programs about human sexuality! aka 'real sex' aka 'sexetera' ect...
basically any tv prog that talks about people's fetishes but in a really matter-of-fact scientific type way and not in a softcore porn type way.


last night i was watching this type of show, but i forget the name, and they were talking about gender reassignment surgeries and i was into it because i just read invisible monsters and it also deals with this topic. one of my favorite parts on the program was when they talked to this porn star called Buck Angel (see picture), who is the self-proclaimed "first and only female to male transexual porn star." He still has a vag though because he is "a real man with a real pussy." I also learned on the show that many FTM are wary of getting a phalloplasty because it's really expensive (3 times more than male to female) and the results aren't usually as good as MTF; which i guess makes sense if you think about it, but also possibly because the procedure is more common amoung MTF.

There was also a man who had a vaginoplasty and became a woman, but he was not attracted to men (in essence, straight), so when he became a woman he was a lesbian, which i thought was important for the show to include because i think a lot of people assume that men who want to be women are homosexual.

debwa loves....

tv programs about human sexuality! aka 'real sex' aka 'sexetera' ect...
basically any tv prog that talks about people's fetishes but in a really matter-of-fact scientific type way and not in a softcore porn type way.


last night i was watching this type of show, but i forget the name, and they were talking about gender reassignment surgeries and i was into it because i just read invisible monsters and it also deals with this topic. one of my favorite parts on the program was when they talked to this porn star called Buck Angel (see picture), who is the self-proclaimed "first and only female to male transexual porn star." He still has a vag though because he is "a real man with a real pussy." I also learned on the show that many FTM are wary of getting a phalloplasty because it's really expensive (3 times more than male to female) and the results aren't usually as good as MTF; which i guess makes sense if you think about it, but also possibly because the procedure is more common amoung MTF.

There was also a man who had a vaginoplasty and became a woman, but he was not attracted to men (in essence, straight), so when he became a woman he was a lesbian, which i thought was important for the show to include because i think a lot of people assume that men who want to be women are homosexual.