Dear Arthur Editors,
The TQC writing in response to the editorial entitled “You are a Woman? And who the fuck are you?” in Issue 14 of the Arthur.
Within the very first paragraph of the editorial, the author states that “It takes a lot of awareness of gender to be able to speak about it clearly, with knowledge, and without offending anyone.”
If this is how the author feels, then perhaps she should have taken a step back to educate herself more before proceeding. The TQC recognizes that the author attempted to address some very pressing concerns, including the ongoing nature of transphobia in popular media, but we feel that the article did not do this in a constructive manner.
The first disconcerting omission from the editorial the definition and use of the word transgender. A transgender person is someone who identifies, presents, or lives as a gender other than the one prescribed to them at birth. So we ask: why does this editorial never use the word transgender? By discussing trans identities and failing to define or use this word, the article invisiblilizes identities that already face marginalization and discrimination.
The TQC also feels as though the editorial fetishizes and tokenizes trans identities. When the author refers to herself as “a plain old boring woman”, this suggests that there is something unusual, exotic, or exciting about trans people. Moreover, it suggests that trans woman are not “just” woman, but something different altogether. Both of these concepts feed into transphobia and uphold the cissexist culture that dominates society and mainstream media.
In addition, when the author says that she “is wholly blessed to know [people] who identify with genders other what they are born into”, she tokenizes trans folks. Basing relationships or the value of relationships solely on a person’s trans identify creates a dynamic of trans people being novel or ‘token’ within social groups. The author may have meaningful relationships with trans identified people, but hopefully these relationships are not only valuable because of their gender identities.
The TQC does acknowledge that the issues raised in the article are very important and that the comments made in the CBC pilot show were inexcusable. However, we are disappointed with the approach that was taken in this editorial. The undersigned TCSA commissioners further endorse this letter.
Sincerely,
The Trent Queer Collective
Queer Students Commissioner, TCSA
Gender Issues Commissioner, TCSA
