IN 1852, HARRIET Beecher Stowe wrote her famous novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” which had a major effect on the attitudes toward slavery and African Americans. The main character was a dutiful servant by the name of Uncle Tom, who remained faithful to his masters, regardless of what they did to him.
The name “Uncle Tom” has come to describe any African American whose actions are counterproductive to the welfare of the African-American community. It has become so descriptive that Native Americans use the name “Uncle Tomahawk,” and the Latino community use the Spanish name, “Tia Taco.” Tia is Spanish for uncle.
In the new “Dark Ages” for the transgender community, we are quickly discovering our own Uncle Toms, but in order to distinguish them from the African-American Uncle Toms, I have coined the name, “Aunt Trannies.” The transgender community’s Aunt Trannies are those transgender people who are still working for “The Man,” in spite of the vicious manner in which we were stripped from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in October of 2007. “The Man,” in this case, is HRC and Barney Frank.
The reason for going with the word “Aunt” instead of “Uncle” is that the majority of those working with HRC and Frank are male-to-female transsexuals. The most visible of these Aunt Trannies is Susan Stanton, the trans woman fired last year from her job as the city manager of Largo, Fla.
IN AUGUST, HRC President Joe Solmonese asked John Edwards the one and only transgender question of the gay presidential forum and the camera focused on Stanton. She didn’t seem to understand we were being thrown crumbs then, and doesn’t have enough experience to understand the history of how many times HRC has lied to the transgender community in the past. Maybe she is drunk with fame and has figured out how to extend her allotted 15 minutes. Nevertheless, she is an Aunt Trannie.
However, Stanton’s recent comments in an article by the St. Petersburg Times showed blatant internalized trans-phobia, homophobia and elitism. Frank and HRC may be better off using Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as their spokesperson.
Sadly, we are finding that there are several Aunt Trannies throughout the country, giving HRC and Frank an endless supply of dutiful servants for them to try and help smooth over their mistakes with the transgender community.
HRC and Frank don’t want to talk with the real leaders of our community, so they hand pick puppet leaders to give the appearance that they are working with us. Sorry boys, but we can see right through your “trans”-parent games. I seem to recall that just before this country was born, the British installed loyalists in various high offices to try and squelch any revolutionary thoughts the people may have had. It didn’t work then. This is us learning from history. We decide who speaks for us, or doesn’t speak for us.
RECENTLY, HRC HAS been sending Stanton around the country to talk about how wonderful and sweet HRC is and that we need to trust them. She says they have our best interests at heart and promises to not stab us in the back any longer. Hearing this, I just cannot seem to get out of my head the images from the 1960 movie, “Time Machine,” where the Eloi are hypnotized by the sounds of the sirens and walk, like sheep, into the world of the Morlocks to become food for their captors. Ribs, anyone?
Transgender history has many examples of how some trans people believed various politicians or leaders of national organizations, only to learn that their trust had been violated. They learned the hard way, but they all seemed to stand up for their integrity when they finally see that they have been wronged. It just shows that Aunt Tranny-ism is a curable disease, but one where the cure can be a very painful one. The pain is so intense for some that they completely back away from ever trying to help the community again. We have lost too many good people because of that.
So, as this New Year begins, we see another chapter in transgender history beginning. New rules of engagement are being established. New players are taking the field. Old players are taking new stances, while others are screaming at the top of their lungs, “I told you so!” For those on the sidelines, I suggest you get a big supply of beer, peanuts and hot dogs. And, bring a soft cushion. It’s going to be a very long season.
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stellewriter on 1/15/0812:48 PM:
Susan was duped too .... HRC, the very organization that claims the throne for equality is the single most active force in denying the Transgender simple subsistence. It is the new gay sectarian snobbery, which has worked to control other gay and lesbian enclaves and subordinate them. Worse, they have actively separated and divided the Trans-community so as to use us as a diversion. We are HRC millions behind in ability, and legislatively separated (segregated). Stellewriter.blogspot.com
femme on 1/14/0810:13 AM:
Ok Stanton has never been my favorite person, I disagree with more of what she says then not. But then why is it so many continue to place their lives in the hands of others? Remember the 80s? This isn't the first time the, lets do this first, card was played by G orgs, yet people just don't learn. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice...but because I don't agree with much of her politics doesn't mean I agree with playing into the hands of those like Crain who think TS/TG people aren't ready.
femme on 1/14/0810:01 AM:
"Contrary to the St. Petersburg Times article, I do not see members of the transgender community as “men wearing dresses.” However, I do feel there is a fundamental misunderstanding by the general public that being transgender is simply a matter of men wanting to “dress up as women.”"
This is a direct quote as Susan says she told the reporter. Misquoting happens far too often. It's the danger of doing interviews unless you are given direct control.
jeri . on 1/14/0812:32 AM:
monica, for a newly transitioning m2f transsexual woman to verbalize her internal fear of being perceived as a "man in a dress" is so typical that nothing should need be said. Certainly, it held no focal point within the interview but came across as a casual remark. stanton is an emotional CHILD. she has no power. verbally attacking her is like child abuse. You correct a child with reason, not by berating them and calling them names. stanton never said you or anyone did not deserve rights - she espoused her opinion that congress and the american people are not ready to grant them. frankly, i don't care if congress is afraid to grant equality - it already belongs to us. we have to DEMAND that it be recognized as law. We have an absolute right to live without persecution or discrimination. NOW is already too late – our humanity is an unalterable fact that should have always been recognized and respected. As far as your use of the term tranny, you can’t use it as an intentionally offensive term and turn around and say it isn’t an offensive term. If you want to use the term “tranny” to describe yourself, that is your business. I wouldn’t advise anyone to use the term when referring to me – or most transgender women that I know.
Wolfgang on 1/13/086:22 PM:
Aunt Trannie? Why not "Aunt Susan?" It's more like "Uncle Tom," and avoids the slur. Though I agree with MonicaH that comparing Susan to "Uncle Tom" goes a bit overboard. I'm no happier with the HRC than anyone else, but I don't believe Joe Solmonese is purposefully working against us.
Ms. Stanton certainly misspoke and deserves to be criticized for it. But there's a difference between criticism and bashing, and some of what I'm seeing here and on other sites crosses the line into the latter.
MonicaH on 1/13/085:47 PM:
Also, one does not need to "read between the lines" on the St. Petersburg article. The words, "Men is dresses" was in quotation marks. To me, that is far more offensive than "trannie" can ever be, but I don't hear any of you whining about that. The only ones seeming to be happy with Susan's remarks are those elitists who considers anyone who don't think like them as "men in dresses." And yes, Susan is part of our "family." But, even family members dare not tell me I don't deserve rights.
MonicaH on 1/13/085:35 PM:
Not all of us see the word "trannie" (or "tranny") by itself as being such a derrogatory word. I have a chapter in an upcoming book (The book title is "Trans People in Love,") and my chapter title is "Sex and the Single Trannie." So, I don't see the word as being derrogatory. I put it with the word, "Aunt" to create a special term for the traiders amoungst us. I didn't sugar-coat the term to placate some people's sensabilities. The name was designed to be offensive on purpose. It worked.
femme on 1/13/081:53 PM:
One more point, I agree "tranny" is an offensive term likened to others which focus on their culture, colour, religion or who they are.
And likening this to be like "Uncle Tom" is making light of the conditions faced by people of colour during the many years of slavery. There is no comparison, speaking from both aspects of the issue, black and transexual, the thought of Monica using this comparison makes me wonder to what extent this person would go to to be considered right in a discussion.
femme on 1/13/081:46 PM:
I, I guess unlike some, never took Stanton to be the spokes person for all who were transexual or transgender. It seems she was foisted into the spot light with everyone feeding off of her mis fortune of being outed and fired, for their own agenda.
Being a person who has been misquoted by reporters in the past so that what I said turned out looking like it meant something else, I was willing to wait for the explanation.
http://www.susanastanton.com/What_America_Said_and_Saw.ht
jeri . on 1/13/0812:03 PM:
Monica, we both agree that the inclusive ENDA is only the beginning and for the same reasons, but I disagree that it is the “first step”. The first step will be our community uniting, agreeing to disagree without resorting to calling each other names like “tranny”. I don’t want you to apologize to Sue Stanton for disagreeing with her opinion, but please explain to me how the use of the term “tranny” in reference to her – or anyone- furthers the rights of transgender men and women anywhere? Is it necessary to degrade yourself by using this hateful and misogynistic term to make a point? It’s a bad choice of words. If you want to use “tranny’ as a part of an analogy, you would be a lot more correct putting it alongside “kyke”, “nigger”, or “gook” as a comparison than you would with the term “Uncle Tom”. However, this is just semantics and I don’t want to turn semantics into an argument. Your attack on Stanton was unnecessarily personal, as if she is somehow to blame for all the injustice that the transgender community faces. Did you read Vanessa Foster’s blog on this issue? Did you read between the lines on the St. Petersburg article? For some unknown reason, the discrimination Stanton faced as a city manager became big news. I don’t understand it; it would have actually been news had the city not discriminated. In any event, Susan Stanton is going through transition under public scrutiny. She is alone, frightened and very confused. Don’t you remember what it was like for yourself? She has been used as a “poster child” for our community in relation to employment discrimination. She is now being used by HRC and Frank and anyone else who wants to get their name in the paper. Did you read the headline? “ TRANSGENDER ACTIVISTS TURN ON ONE OF THEIR OWN”. That is what really makes the news, when the trans community becomes a “circus act”. Not the discrimination, not the poverty, not the injustice. Defend your argument with how your friends died because of unemployment. Let’s focus on the reality of forcing young trans women into prostitution and crime because of their lack of options. When the Barney Franks and Joe Solomneses talk to us about not now, not yet - let us respond with “WHEN?”. How many lives must be sacrificed on the altar of political expedience, how many suicides will be enough, how much pain and injustice will justify the waiting? The time for justice and equality for the transgender community is NOW. As for Susan Stanton, she has chosen a path that makes her our sister. You don’t turn your back on family when they are alone and confused. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
MonicaH on 1/13/089:23 AM:
Jeri, ENDA won't be an unemployment cure for gay people either. The important part is that if we are included in it, as in the hate crimes, it sends a message to the whole country that the federal government does not condone beating us up, killing us or denying us employment based on who we are. It IS the first step to real equality after you and I are long dead and buried. Also, I doubt if African Americans will apologize for using "Uncle Tom" in describing one of their own. I don't intend to apologize for calling Susan an “Aunt Trannie.Jeri, ENDA won't be an unemployment cure for gay people either. The important part is that if we are included in it, as in the hate crimes, it sends a message to the whole country that the federal government does not condone beating us up, killing us or denying us employment based on who we are. It IS the first step to real equality after you and I are long dead and buried. Also, I doubt if African Americans will apologize for using "Uncle Tom" in describing one of their own. I don't intend to apologize for calling Susan an “Aunt Trannie.”
jeri . on 1/12/082:00 PM:
monica, an inclusive ENDA is not a cure-all for transgender unemployment, it is only a beginning. we will never realize any form of equality, including employment, as long as people refer to our members as "trannies" under any circumstance. sue stanton isn't working against the community so much as expressing her opinion. no matter how much i may disagree with her opinion, no one has the right to refer to her as a tranny for any reason. even you. your derogatory remarks reflect badly on us all.
MonicaH on 1/12/0811:15 AM:
Jeri, The term "Aunt Trannie" is meant to be a derogatory term, the same as "Uncle Tom" is a derogatory term when an African American says it to another. If a TG person openly works against the welfare of the rest of the community, then they need a strong message from the rest of us. What do you suggest? "Oh, please, you must stop hurting us. We are so disappointed. Boo-hoo, boo-hoo." We are talking about people's lives here. I've buried 3 friends and long unemployment was the cause.
jeri . on 1/12/082:28 AM:
first, i find the term "aunt tranny" used in reference to susan stanton highly offensive. the term by itself represents a trans-phobic ignorance. sue stanton deserves, and has received, praise for her very public transition. her statements concerning ENDA and HRC reflect her personal opinion. unfortunately, the media attention she has received as a victim of discrimination has also provided her with a platform to make gross errors. her opinion reflects her experience as an ousted city administrator from largo city, florida - not as a spokesperson for the transgender community. HRC is reaching out for anyone in the transgender community who will publicly support them – they have rightfully lost all credibility. HRC was publicly espousing that they would not support exclusive legislation at the same time they were prompting congress to support it. do any of you who are criticizing stanton really believe HRC has made her aware of the depths of their duplicity? she is an intelligent woman – she will learn. she will come to understand the desperate need for validation that an inclusive ENDA would only BEGIN to realize for our community. she will come to understand the depths of despair experienced by so many, but especially by our disadvantaged youth. she will come to understand why HRC’s duplicity has enraged so many in our community. she will come to understand that her opinions on these subjects would better serve her and the transgender community if stated privately. in the meantime, i hope never to hear the term “aunt tranny” again - it demeans us all. oh, and maybe HRC can get larry craig to serve as a spokesperson for gay men.
StillLiT on 1/11/084:59 PM:
There will always be those who welcome the chains of our oppressors. Yes, oppressors. HRC's history is clear. I remember so many telling me that we could now trust them, that they would no longer work against us. I am sorry that I was proven right in the end. Never let anyone else speak for you, take the time to do it yourself.
MonicaH on 1/11/083:49 PM:
"Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it." - George Santayana - I like to change that a little. "Those who refuse to learn from the past are doomed to be hurt in the future." Susan refused to learn from the transgender community's past experiences with HRC, because I know people who tried to help her learn. Need I say more?
Beckygrrl on 1/11/083:29 PM:
Susan Stanton has been repeatedly offered the opportunity to speak directly to the trans community and tell us, in her own words, exactly what she thinks and what she wants gender-variant Americans to know about her and her views, but she has refused to take advantage of those opportunities.
It seems to me that if she really was misquoted and misinterpreted, she'd want to get out in front of that and clear the air. Yet, she has proactively chosen not to do that. Take from that what you will.
AliceK on 1/11/083:13 PM:
I'm trans, and I'm totally opposed to what Stanton has said, but I think this is an awful way to respond. First off, slurs of any kind always make you look worse than your opponent; name-calling is just childish. Second, Stanton is clearly transphobic and doesn't want to be part of the transgender community, so an insult from with the community won't make her shut up. We need to be more mature so the public will listen to us instead; slinging mud makes us look as bad as her.
MonicaH on 1/11/081:56 PM:
Let me create an anology you may understand. I don't know if you heard of the Falcon quarterback, Michael Vic? He was recently convicted for dog fighting. You think the NFL would be happy if the National Basketball Association picked Michael Vic to speak for the entire NFL? Does Berry Bonds have the image Major League wants to portray? What if an outside group picked him to represent MLB? We didn't pick Susan. If she cannot handle the TG label, then she shouldn't speak for us. Simple.
Jennifer Usher on 1/11/081:36 PM:
I have to wonder...did anyone actually read what Stanton said, or are they just determined to blindly attack her for not saying what they wanted to hear? She does have a point. Transgender is an artificial construct that is increasingly meaningless. As a woman with Harry Benjamin Syndrome, a transsexual if you just insist, I refuse to accept the label "transgender." My needs are quite different from theirs. Unless we take a narrower approach to this issue, Stanton is right, it won't pass.
