[Image]TransGriot Note: The Lowell Sun newspaper on December 19 posted a transphobic parody of 'Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer' with remixed lyrics slamming Chaz Bono and the just passed Massachusetts trans rights law. Another one of my fave kick azz Massachusetts trans men, Trystan Dean, compiled a letter to the editor slamming their contribution to Hatin' On Transpeople for the Holidays.
Dear Editor,
I'm writing in response to the recent
parody you published that mocked Chaz Bono. It was mean-spirited, to say
the least. Obviously, some of the folks working in your newsroom have
sophomoric senses of humor and ought not be left unsupervised. Frankly, I
think the person who published that parody ought to be fired. But hey,
it's Christmas, so perhaps a little mercy, plus A LOT of education,
would be more appropriate.
Like Chaz, I am a transsexual man.
I'm in the middle of my transition, hoping and praying for the means to
medically complete the process. The necessary surgeries are expensive,
painful, risky, and currently not easy to access, if you are not blessed
with wealth, like Mr. Bono.
However, for those of us suffering
from gender dysphoria, and/or intersexed conditions, transition can
save our lives. Gender dysphoria is a diagnosed condition, that is
treated medically with therapy, hormones and surgery. Chaz was diagnosed
with gender dysphoria, like me, then he was prescribed male hormones by
a physician, like me, and, then, he underwent surgery.
These
are not steps that can be made easily or lightly. Gender transition from
female to male can result in a shorter life span. Hormone therapy can
stress the kidneys and liver. There is medical supervision every step of
the way. Risks are clearly spelled out. It's a tough decision, and it's
only made when a patient's life is at stake. Gender dysphoria can kill.
It fuels debilitating depression, self-hatred, and self-destructive
behaviors. It is a malady that can intensify as a person ages. It's
much worse than simply feeling trapped in the wrong body. It's about
bone-deep despair that saps the will to live.
Transsexuals and
transgender people are fighting for civil rights in our society, and
throughout the world. Thankfully Massachusetts just passed a civil
rights law. Among other things, it categorizes violence against trans
people as a hate crime. This is important, because trans folks
experience unacceptably high levels of murder, rape and assault among all
measured minority communities. There has been a rash of trans murders in
the last 2 years in Boston. The law just passed is not frivolous, and
it didn't deserve to be parodied, along with Chaz, and by extension, all
trans people. Like all other human beings, we deserve respect and
compassion while we seek wholeness and happiness in our lives. That is
the American Dream. We'd just like the equal opportunity to fulfill
our dreams too. I don't think that's too much to ask. Merry Christmas!
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"Trystan's Letter To The Lowell Sun About The Chaz Bono Holiday Parody"
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