A Trans Man Speaks Out Against The Trans Men Who Appropriate The "T Word" Despite The Women The Slur Is Usually Thrown At

FYI: Men can be feminists too

Trans guy Nathaniel Jospeh opposses his trans brothers appropriating the anti-trans woman slur "tra**y"

Trans woman/human rights advocate Bianca Lynne disagrees with the trans men who want to "reclaim" the T-word

There is a trend where some trans men are fighting to reclaim a hurtful perjorative that has always been used to dehumanize and misgender trans women, not men.

Bianca Lynne, a transgender woman and advocate for the human rights of trans people, responds to trans guys supposedly “reclaiming” the T word: “For trans-male spectrum folks to "reclaim" the word over the objections of people who are actually called the word seems more like appropriation. I've never ever heard trans men called "tranny" - except among themselves and by their partners. Even so, when the term is used by cis people, it is mostly used against trans-female spectrum people or to tell cis women they look ridiculous ...- like a man in a dress trying too hard.”

A trans man named Nathaniel Joseph from San Francisco speaks out against his trans brothers appropriating the anti-transsexual slur “tra**y” because the slur originated as a misogynistic way to mock and degrade trans women. He explains:

“I was confused about the use of the word at first. As a Northern California transman I do hear it thrown around in the younger brothers of my community. It never felt right to me, but at first I thought 'they are trying to reclaim the word and take the power out it as a pejorative.' I still refused to use it and thought I needed to respect others wishes to use it for themselves. However, after several ladies so passionately, and respectfully, explained its implications, history and pain it causes them I do not allow it to be said in my presence without a rebuttal.

It seems to me that it falls in line with some of the same misogyny some transmen spew. I rebut that as well. It sickens me as a transman, assigned female at birth and socialized as such, that some of my brothers are so callous and apathetic towards women's issues, causes and lives. Did they forget what it is like to walk through this world as female? It is not acceptable for cis males to act in such regard towards women, but when transmen do it it's deeply disheartening and causes more anger in me. Perhaps it's their desire to be like the cis males in our society, but whatever reasoning they have it's not acceptable!!! I have no tolerance for such transmen, and perhaps I hold them to a higher standard because our birth condition, but nonetheless it is ignorant and disgusting to see them throw women, especially our sisters in the community, under the bus to be treated with disdain, disrespect and violence.

It has been hard having my former community (LGB) turn its back on me and to see the hatred and appropriation they have for us. Nevertheless, I refuse to allow myself to mingle with anyone who treats others with malice and disdain. I am a transman, but I do not agree with anyone who treat human beings with such indignity, my trans brothers and former LGB community included. It is so disheartening that there is so much in-fighting within our own community. I refuse to be anyone's brother, regardless of our transmaleness, that is so quick to degrade women (especially our sisters).

So, thank you ladies for speaking your truth and eloquently explaining your stance and feelings on the matter. This brother stands with you, respects you and will fight alongside you to end misogyny against all women”- Nathaniel Jospeh (now this is the type of man I dream of- a feminist!)

I must agree with both Nathaniel's plea to his trans brothers to respect their trans sisters, and with Bianca’s comment as well: “For trans-male spectrum folks to "reclaim" the word over the objections of people who are actually called the word (women) seems more like appropriation”.

Exactly. Right now there is a crisis of non-trans people making the term a "dehumanizing icky put down slur". Also, the term was first made as a slur against transsexual women--it’s not for trans men to "reclaim". I oppose men (trans or cis gay men) using the term as a "campy comical pet name for each other”. The term started off as a way to objectify, sexualize, mis-gender, "other" and degrade trans women, especially in porn, on TV shows, and in sensational print media. It’s irresponsible for trans men to appropriate a term that has so much hurt and abuse against women. Also, trans people are not in the same place as lesbian people are concerning human rights/acceptance/positive visibility/understanding from society to be able to reclaim such a dehumanizing pejorative like some lesbian women have with “d*ke”. All the term tra**y does is give every bigot and transphobe an excusable way to vent their transphobia and hate by using the word. I think it’s unfair that a small subculture in San Fran of gender queer and FTM transgender people get to appropriate a word that is really alienating women. This trend has no respect for the women the term is generally thrown at like stones. The slur is associated with violence and hate. Many rap stars use the N word "affectionately", but you would never hear Rev Al Sharpton or Oprah telling the Black community "some people use it affectionately, lets respect that". Likewise, we are at a tipping point of a trans human rights movement here, we must be careful to not encourage the dehumanization of our community by following the few who irresponsibly use that word. Hell no, this is a chance for us to rise up and educate society, not a time to allow those in the trans community who accept segregation, misgendering, crumbs and "pet names" to tell us to "lighten up". We have a chance here to combat unhealthy stigma- and hopefully the majority of trans people will consider the bigger picture, and not follow the few drag queens or the few gender queer FTM guys who obsess over the words “coolness and hipness”. Accepting bigot’s hate words for us is not “cool or affectionate”

Reuter's Interview w/ Ashley Love about "TOTWK"

Trans Forming Media PSA Against TOTWK & Transphobia

Pictures montage from April 6th Protest @ Tribeca Cinemas to demand Tribeca Film Festival remove "Ticked Off Tra**ies With Knives" (other photos are also included) The movie makes light of violence and rape against trans women, exploits the high-profile murder of teenager Angie Zapata, includes the pejorative term trannies in its title, inaccurately depicts trans womens identities as drag queen performers and caricatures and misrepresents the lives of an extremely disenfranchised group who suffer violence at alarming rates.

"An Image I'd Rather Forget" - My Synopsis & Critique Of TOTWK

Note: If you'd like to read my more detailed/longer synopsis of the film, email me at magnet_right_now@yahoo.com

The film “Ticked Off Tra**ies With Knives” spreads a fear, misogyny and hate stemmed ideology. I have seen the film and it’s very upsetting that people unfamiliar with transsexual and transgender women will walk away from the film with a stigmatizing perception of trans women. This film is dangerous propaganda, whether intentional or not. TOTWK leaves the viewer with the false impression that transsexual and transgender women are unauthentic in their gender identity and really “gay men in drag.” The film portrays all trans women as hypersexualized, jokes, murderous and/or unstable. This is not only inaccurate, it's offensive and incites further misunderstanding and violence.

A student of oppression in the media, I’m an organizer with a trans anti-defamation group named MAGNET-Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People. MAGNET supports the thousands of people who signed GLAAD’s petition urging Tribeca to remove this film or joined the Boycott TOTWK Group. They’re warranted in their protest/boycott of this film whether or not they saw the entire movie. The clips available to the public were reason enough to take action.

• Use of the dehumanizing pejorative and anti-trans slur “tra**ie” in the title.
  
• Insensitively mentioning real trans victim’s of hate crimes names in the trailer (A reedited trailer removes the victim’s names).
  
• Exploiting, devaluing and making light of the crisis of violence against trans women.
  
• Director Israel Luna’s misrepresentation that the film’s about “transgender women”, but often insinuates that the characters are not women- but rather men drag performers, “caricatures” & “impersonators.”
  
  

While we have great respect and admiration for some of the actors in the film, we have great concerns with the director misrepresenting oppressed minorities for entertainment, and with Tribeca’s irresponsible decision to showcase this film. In GLAAD’s analysis of the film, they say, “Because of its positioning as a transgender film, viewers unfamiliar with the lives of transgender women will likely leave this film with the impression that transgender women are ridiculous caricatures of ’real women.’ It demeans actual transgender women who struggle for acceptance and respect in their day-to-day lives and to be valued for their contributions to our society.”

Many stand with GLAAD’s statement. Trans women are just that: women. They’re fighting to pass ENDA, gain APA/GID reform and health care rights, and establish acceptance in society. TOTWK threatens that acceptance immensely. The unhealthy stigma that this film encourages generates misunderstanding and resistance against trans Americans in a country that seriously lacks education, rights and acceptance of trans people.

Tribeca would never present a film with a title having the “N” word, an anti-Semitic slur, the misogynistic “c” word, or many other pejoratives. Tribeca considers the content of films they give a platform to. It’s disappointing that the humanity and safety of trans women was devalued by Tribeca’s programming department. It’s a sad sign of the times that our concerns about depiction and wellbeing are not considered on par with other minorities. Trans people need the same anti-defamation protections other oppressed minorities receive from Tribeca. We are exercising our freedom of speech by boycotting this film. “Cries of censorship” are just a diversion to take attention off the true issues, which are responsibility, accountability, humanity and oppression.

I find it biased and unethical that many male journalists/bloggers have failed to address the feminist side of this debate. The violence, objectification and dehumanization of women in this film are also being protested. It’s disappointing that this film’s controversy has spotlighted the issues of ignorance, transphobia and misogyny internalized within some in the gay men’s community who have opposed our protest, as well as society at large.

Characters in the film, performers in a drag queen show, describe themselves as “We have female qualities and characteristics….straight male personalities.” That description isn’t the definition of a transgender woman, and provokes prejudice. This is one of the roots of anti-trans sentiment: the falsehood that trans women’s gender identity is “fake”. This propaganda is the same that the religious right has been preaching in their campaign to slander trans Americans, denying them equal rights (see their "Do you want men in dresses teaching your children?" campaign), and now this film is doing their job for them! This isn’t a “women’s clothes fetish movement” for crying out loud! It’s about “internal” gender. Luna would have had fewer problems if he would have named his film “Ticked Off “Drag Queens” With Knives” (yet there would still be issues). Inaccurately, he decided to market the film saying it was about transgender “women”, yet portrayed them as over-the-top “impersonators” – actually mocking femininity. It stands to reason that transsexual and transgender feminists feel slighted, their identities misrepresented and attacked.

Merriam Webster defines a drag queen as “a male homosexual who dresses as a woman especially for comic or theatrical effect”. Completely different, a woman of transsexual experience is “a woman in which the sex-related structures of the brain that define gender identity are exactly opposite the physical sex organs of the body. Put even more simply, a transsexual woman has a mind that is literally, physically, trapped in a body of the opposite sex.” A person from the “transgender umbrella” is “someone whose personal idea of gender does not correlate with his or her assigned gender role.” The social political identity umbrella term “transgender” is good for gaining legislation to protect the broad community, yet the diversity of sub groups (who are equal, but different) within the broad community cannot be ignored. Certainly diversity is the spice of life!

Much of the dialog in the film is not only offensive, but effectively teaches the viewer an inaccurate perception of transgender individuals. At one point the performers allege that when God created Adam and Eve, he allegedly “created a third creature named Ava”. Most trans women I know identify as “Eve’s daughter”, or “woman gender”, not a “3rd gender”, or as Luna writes, “a 3rd creature”. Depicting trans women as “others”, “neither, ors” “creatures” and “impersonators” is influential in adding to the segregation and misrepresentation of trans women. While some people identify as “gender queer and 3rd gender,” none would wish to be characterized as a non-human creature. The film even introduces a new term - “tran-imal” (trans person = animal = not human) – which may be the newest trend slur of the season!

One of the characters expresses that sexual assault "turns her on.” This is sickly morbid and disturbingly insensitive, especially given the high rate of sexual attacks and violence against trans women. In another scene a nurse is sexually inappropriate with another character who is recuperating in the hospital after surviving a hate crime attack. In this way Luna’s script trivializes the crisis of violence against trans women which is horrifying and disempowering to all women.

Some of the characters have a “trans face” act that is comparable to “black face” of decades past, when white men painted their faces and depicted black people as “minstrels and subhuman”. Likewise, “trans face” is just as dehumanizing and offensive to actual trans WOMEN. Their “trans face” act is “hypersexualized, vile talking, flamboyant, gay man with women’s clothes on. “

By the end of the film, most of the characters are dead or brutalized. The film ends with a drag diva asking the others “Do you know what the difference is between us and them (the dead men on the ground)?” The answer expressed: “I don’t know,” “Me either”- film ends. So there you have it folks, “transgender women” are no different than “murdered men”.

And that last sentence pretty much sums up the message of the film.

SMILING IN THE FACE OF OPPRESSION!

Some Luna-tics (supporters of Luna’s film “TOTWK”) are attacking the demonstration that was held on April 6th in front of Tribeca Cinemas to protest the film by saying that our “smiles” and “laughter” was “proof” that we “didn’t know what we were protesting about”. Yes, we the protesters were "smiling and laughing". Sorry if we are not the "tortured souls" the media depicts us as. I am full of joy, faith and life. All the people there were full of life! And the quality of our lives and our pursuit of happiness is worth organizing and mobilizing against films like this one. Being with 30 people in one spot who all believed in trans liberation was reason to celebrate! It was very inspirational for all of us to be taking action for what we believe in our hearts is the right thing to do, and it made us feel good.

Personally, it was very unfolding for me to speaking out against transphobia. I felt like a butterfly coming out of a cocoon, leaving the safe shelters of anonymity behind, taking a risk, and marching with my trans brothers and sisters over obstacles such as defamation and dehumanizing stigma. Fear had always told me not to be too public that I’m a member of an oppressed community, because doors would slam in my face, people would throw stones and some people would distance themselves from me. So when my faith and hope overpowered the fear within me, and I decided that I did want to tell my side of the story, publically, it did cause me to smile. It’s like I had waited my whole life to come out of the cage society had marginalized me into. Standing there with that sign “Our humanity is not a joke” made me feel elated! We were not protesting because we are “bitter, scorned, angry women with nothing better to do”. We were protesting because we see a future where trans people are not depicted as the way they are in “TOTWK”. Since we are the local trans community near Tribeca, we felt a responsibility to the rest of the trans people all over the country to express our collective plight. We protested to draw attention to many issues, and to put pressure on Tribeca, and all film festivals, not to show this film. And we also rallied because we want better representations of trans people in all media. We also don’t want our trans youth, and those after them, to feel like we as a community stood by, with closed mouths, and let cis (non-trans) people make a mockery of our lives without protesting. I reject the role society has given transwomen’s image as a "subhuman, punch line, hyper sexualized, nut case, impersonator". I see thousands of others are rejecting that role too by protesting and boycotting this film.

During the vigil portion of the demonstration our tone of course changed, tears spilled and victims of hate crimes were remembered. We all went around in a circle and said names of LGBT people we knew personally whose lives were cut short due to oppression. The tears that came to my eyes were for seven trans women I knew personally from southern California who died at a young age simply for being themselves: WOMEN of trans experience.

We are NOT advocating "censorship"; we are advocating "anti-defamation protections" and exercising our "freedom of speech". The dignity, humanity, safety and proper education about trans women means more to me than some gay man's "right" to exploit an oppressed community for a few harmful laughs and financial profit. The media is very influential in the well being of people's lives; therefore this toxic film has to be called out for what it is, and what it most certainly is not!

Though this protest is a fight against oppression in which we will partake in the entire way home, it is also a celebration that an whole community is coming together to express our desire for change!

Lourdes Hunter, the only transgender board member of the Brooklyn Community Pride Center, and who gave a powerful speech at the rally, says it best, “SMILE IN THE FACE OF OPPRESSION”. Humanity always wins in the end.

Protest Tomorrow @ Tribeca Center to Combat Transphobia! (press release)

Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET)

Press Release: For immediate release April 4, 2010

“Protest/rally Against Tribeca’s Decision to Premiere Transphobic Film “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives”

What: A protest/rally demanding that Tribeca Film Festival remove the transphobic film “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives (TOTWK)”. Melissa Sklarz (Director of NY Trans Rights Organization),Ashley Love (Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People),Denise Le Claire (Exec. Director of International Foundation of Gender Education) celebrities, elected officials & LGBT activists will be speaking. A candle light vigil for trans victims of hate crimes will also be held.

When/Where: Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 6:30-8:00pm @ Tribeca Cinemas @ 54 Varick Street, NYC

Why: The movie makes light of violence and rape against trans women, exploits the high-profile murder of teenager Angie Zapata, includes the pejorative term “trannies” in its title, inaccurately depicts trans women’s identities as drag queen “performers” and “caricatures” and misrepresents the lives of an extremely disenfranchised group who suffer violence at alarming rates.

Kim Pearson, Executive Director of TransYouth Family Allies, says "Negative and stereotyped media portrayals of transgender people hurt the community because Americans still need more education on transgender issues. The images in this film (TOTWK) make a mockery of their lives. I want more for my child and all transgender people.”

“The transsexual and transgender communities are all too often the victims of violence, marginalization and discrimination as a result of insensitive media depictions like this film, which is offensive, dehumanizing and misogynistic and causes further misunderstanding and harm to an already dangerously oppressed minority group”, states Ashley Love, Organizer of Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET).

MAGNET had a meeting with staff at Tribeca Center on Friday, March 26, educating them about why this film is extremely problematic and dehumanizing. They refused to remove the film or make a statement that they don’t endorse the oppression of transsexual and transgender women, so MAGNET is now organizing a protest/rally, in association with Families United Against Hate, International Foundation For Gender Education, New York Trans Rights Organization, and Remembering Our Dead, to demand that they remove the film, and to draw attention to injustices trans people face in everyday life and in the media. Many trans advocates, trans organizations, women’s groups and allies voiced their concerns to GLAAD, expressing they needed aggressive action. GLAAD issued an uncompromising and strong petition & call to action demanding that Tribeca remove the film: http://www.glaad.org/calltoaction/032510

To support or endorse protest on Tuesday, receive information about issues raised or press questions, or become involved in anti-defamation/media work for the transsexual and transgender communities:
CONTACT: Organizer of MAGNET: Ashley Love- Email: magnet_right_now@yahoo.com

Join the “Boycott TOTWK” Facebook page & find more info/articles on the story: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=103500239687288&ref=mf#!/group.php?gid=106926329329724

For info/articles on issues raised: Ashley Love’s blog: http://www.transformingmedia.blogspot.com/

Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET) is an anti-defamation organization dedicated to educating the media about transsexual and transgender issues, as well as pushing for more authentic and positive portrayals of trans people in the media.

A Step In The Right Direction, But More Steps Needed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 30, 2010

Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET)

Filmmaker Luna says he will remove exploitative use of hate crime victim’s names from trailer of “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives”, but still has more to do.

We are very relieved that LaLuna Entertainment is planning to remove the references to specific trans women that have been murdered from its' most recent trailer for the film "Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives", a film which was directed and written by Israel Luna. Due to protests from the trans community, LaLuna Entertainment responded to one of their requests, which was not to exploit real life victims of hate crimes.

We note this gesture by the film makers, and hope that they will additionally address the offensive portions of the promotional materials of this film and remove any offensive material that has already been released. We would also like to emphasize that there remain the plethora of offensive, stigmatizing and inaccurate representations in the film itself that have not as of yet been rectified. We are asking that LaLuna Entertainment make every effort to work with the transsexual and transgender communities to help raise awareness of the rampant violence against trans women, and the poor media portrayals that they must struggle with in this day.

We therefore ask LaLuna Entertainment to amend all trailers for this film to include an acknowledgement that this film is intended for entertainment purposes only, and intentionally portrays stereotypes of transsexual and transgender people for the sake of humor and satire. These fictional personalities should not be confused as a portrayal of how transgender people live their lives or interact socially.We would also encourage such a statement be made prior to each screening of the film.

Though we are grateful that one of the numerous concerns many in the trans community have with this film will be edited, we still maintain that this film's message and title continue to be very problematic, transphobic and misogynistic. We hope that those at LaLuna Entertainment will educate their staff on the severe oppression trans people face, and why representations such as the one in the film only reinforce misunderstanding which leads to prejudice.

Article on Movieline.com that broke story: http://www.movieline.com/2010/03/after-criticism-from-glaad-and-others-ticked-off-trannies-director-plans-trailer-change.php

CONTACT: Ashley Love – Organizer of MAGNET- EMAIL: magnet_right_now@yahoo.com

Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET) is an anti-defamation organization dedicated to educating the media about transsexual and transgender issues, as well as pushing for more authentic and positive portrayals of trans people in the media.

MAGNET, Familes Against Hate and Intl. Foundation For Gender Education will be on radio tonight protesting "Ticked Off Tra#%ies With Knives"

Hey guys! I will be on the radio discussing why we are boycotting "Ticked Off Tra@#ies With Knives" tonight, about the protest on Tuesday, and other organizations will be speaking out aginst the film tonight too! See the info below!- Ashley

LIVE! on TransFM - Sunday, March 28, 2010
http://www.transfm.squarespace.com/

5:00 - 8:00 PM EDT Sodium Pentothal SundayJoin Ethan As he streams your favorite tunes.You can contact Ethan to say hello by either sending himan email to http://us.mc573.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Radicalguy@gmail.com or simply give him a buzz at (978) 518-1835.

The Sodium Pentothal Sunday Talk Show
8:00 PM EDT Guest: - Michelle Bruce is a transgender women running for City council in Riverdale, GA.. Michelle has a list of accomplishments which she achieved from when she was voted into office in 2004. Michelle lost her seat and is now armed with the information that she feels is needed to win that seat back.
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8:45 PM EDT Guests: - Ashley Love from Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People. (MAGNET) will be discussing the Protest/rally Against Tribeca’s Decision to Premiere Transphobic Film “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives.”
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9:30 PM EDT - Marti Abernathey discusses how she was kicked off Facebook and why and which organization helped in her return.
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10:30 PM EDT - Gabi Clayton, Board Chair for the national organization, Families United Against Hate and their support for the Protest/rally Against Tribeca’s Decision to Premiere Transphobic Film “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives.”
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11:15 PM EDT - Denise Leclair, Executive Director for the International Foundation for Gender Education expresses IFGE's support for the Protest/rally Against Tribeca’s Decision to Premiere Transphobic Film “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives.”Ethan St.PierreFounder and CreatorTransFM International Broadcasting Networkhttp://www.transfm.squarespace.com/

"Yes, I Saw It And I Wish I Hadn't"

There seems to be some concern about whether or not I have seen the appalling film TOTWK. I in fact did see the entire film, though I wish I hadn’t. It made me feel violated, depressed, dehumanized and disappointed. As a media specialist, and organizer of a trans anti-defamation group, Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET), I have received many films from film festivals and film makers that are trans specific. However, director Israel Luna failed to truly enroll the trans community in his project. Even the Dallas trans community protested the film before it was finished being made, and their efforts, and Luna’s rejection of their plight, is documented.

He failed to give activists and leaders in the trans community his problematic film prior to this controversy - he knew from many warnings that it would not be well received by many trans people. As a person with many media/entertainment industry contacts, I was able to view the film through an associate. This associate asked I not have their name released, for fear of the "wrath of Luna and the 'ticked off' supporters of his transohobic film”.

The false accusation against me, and an affect of sensation is just as false as the story Luna's troops causing bloggers and Tribeca Film Festival to spread the notion of GLAAD being involved in a "TransGate" story, which was discredited in GLAAD’s update to their petition: http://www.glaad.org/calltoaction/032510. These are clever, yet dishonest, attempts to take attention off the issue: that this film is very toxic to the images of trans people and their loved ones. Even for those protesters who have not seen the entire film as GLAAD, I, and many others have, their protests are just as warranted.

The trailer, which mentioned real life slain trans people, the offensive title and the making humor of the rape and violence against trans women are also severally problematic. GLAAD's thorough analysis and petition, and the dignity, safety and human rights for transsexual and transgender children, adults and their families, is reason enough to boycott this exploitation that has somehow been called "art" (not sure how exploiting the real life brutal murder of a teenage girl is “art”).

When GLAAD went up in arms when Grey Anatomy's star TR Knight was called a "fa*ot", the gay men’s community was quick to give GLAAD two thumbs up. When GLAAD went up in arms when trans women were called "tra*#ies", some in the gay men's community gave GLAAD two thumbs down?! Please explain the logic in that!? Attacking GLAAD, myself, and the thousands of people who are protesting this film, will not make the film anything other then what it is: a cinematic hate crime.

I will leave you with the bottom line which is expressed so well by my friend Kim Pearson, Executive Director of TransYouth Family Allies: "Negative and stereotyped media portrayals of transgender people hurt the community because Americans still need more education on transgender issues. The images in this film (TOTWK) make a mockery of their lives. I want more for my child and all transgender people.”

GLAAD Responds To Silly & Untrue Accusations of "Trans Gate", and Still Stands by their Petition that Defends Transwomen!

Latest on the Call to Action updated March 26, 2010

GLAAD’s Call to Action asks that Tribeca not give a platform to a film that sensationalizes anti-transgender violence and misrepresents the lives of transgender women. When Tribeca announced its film selections, almost immediately GLAAD received numerous emails from upset transgender advocates asking GLAAD to speak out.


In just one day, over 800 community members and straight allies have sent e-mails to the Tribeca Film Festival voicing their concerns about the film and opposition to its selection for this year’s festival.


Last month, GLAAD was asked to meet with the director and cast members prior to seeing the movie to educate them about transgender terminology and issues facing the transgender community. During that meeting, GLAAD was not shown the film and voiced strong concerns about the title and the use of the word "tranny." While the word is used by some, it is largely an insult that is offensive to many transgender people. The filmmaker has elected to keep it, despite its potential offense.

At the time of the meeting, the film didn’t have a distributor or any major platform. Every year countless independent films are made and most remain unreleased. Showing at the Tribeca Film Festival offers the film a national space to spread its inaccurate message to thousands. It is because of this platform and the recognition it provides that we are standing with many in the community and raising our voices.

When GLAAD watched the film screener and trailer, we were immediately concerned about not just the title, but the film’s content and its exploitation of transgender victims Angie Zapata and Jorge Mercado in its trailer.


In a recent interview the filmmaker admits, “I agree that the baseball bat and the clumps of hair on the baseball bat are very disturbing…” This sort of violence is played for cheap laughs in the film.


Filmmakers have the right to pursue his or her vision. However, film festivals and other media distributors have the responsibility to consider the consequences of advancing that vision.


GLAAD hopes that an institution as respected as the Tribeca Film Festival would be concerned about how this film trivializes violence against transgender people, concerns that the filmmaker has repeatedly shrugged off.


In the wake of this outcry, GLAAD and many other transgender advocates ask that Tribeca rescind its selection of “Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives.”“Negative and stereotyped media portrayals of transgender people hurt the community because Americans still need more education on transgender issues,” said Kim Person, Executive Director of TransYouth Family Allies. "The images in this film make a mockery of their lives. I want more for my child and all transgender people.”

About GLAAD
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
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Why are men hating on GLAAD for opposing "Ticked Off Trannies With Knives?" and defending transwomen?

The Tribeca Film Festival has chosen to premiere the controversial and transphobic film, “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives” on April 23rd, 2010 in New York City. I have seen the entire film, and as a woman, was horrified by the misogyny and sexism expressed in this film. As a trans person, I was appalled at how the rape and violence against transwomen was made to be "humorous". As a human being, I was disgusted that a group of dangerously oppressed minorities were the subject of a CINEMATIC HATE CRIME! I find it amazing that only gay men are jumping to the defense of the film, as if transwomen are "mentally disturbed sex objects" that should be grateful for this depiction. I have nothing against drag queens, but to imply transwomen are really “gay men with wigs on” is extremely invalidating of their identities/womanhood. Whats wrong with GLAAD defending the dignity of women who are so often helpless, disenfranchised and abused in everyday life, and in the media?! Remember, trans people are also worthy of love and respect, they are more than just the "clowns and makeup" the media portrays them to be. I say shame on the director Israel Luna for exploiting transwomen and spreading fear, ignorance and hate. Attacking the divine feminine and trying to degrade women is getting old. How long did people think transwomen were going to allow all these mentally violent and abusive images block their pursuit of happiness? Just like transwomen hit the breaking point in 1969 and started Stonewall, this film is the breaking point of the trans community NOT accepting this inhumane defamation, and we are not going to be silent and endure this cruel treatment any longer!

The trailer for the film starts off mentioning the real life murder of transgender woman Angie Zapata, who was brutally murdered in a hate crime due to her gender identity. She became a martyr to millions of LGBT Americans, yet this film makes humor of “rape and violence” against transwomen. We find this exploitative trivializing of such a tragic crime to be severely abusive to Angie Zapata’s family, other families of murdered trans people, and to all women and trans people.

The title of the film is degrading to transwomen and protested by many in the trans community. The term “tranny” is a derogatory term that is used to mock the authenticity of transsexual and transgender people, and gives the impression that trans people are harlequins, subhuman, invalid in their identities, jokes, etc. Many LGBT organizations protest the use of this word, including anti-defamation groups such as GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates Against Defamation) and MAGNET (Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People).

Personally, I know transwomen who have been murdered in hate crimes, and when I saw this film I was crying uncontrollably. I have also met Angie Zapata's family, and they are such good hearted people. It saddens me to think of how they may be feeling to know that the director of this trash, Israel Luna, is using their daughter and sister to promote the film. This film is going to create long lasting harm on the trans community. This is literally a matter of life or death.

Could you imagine if a film came out called "Ticked Off Fagots With Pink Pistols" that mocked Matthew Shepard's Death, and expressed gay men just want to get married to get tax breaks, but still have sex with multiple partners, and jokingly alluded to gay men being pedophiles? The whole LGBT community would be up in arms! WE DEMAND THE SAME PROTECTIONS THE GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITY RECEIVES! Crumbs are no longer acceptable. We need the gay and lesbian community, who have more access and influence in the media then we do, to stand with GLAAD and the trans community on this protest and call to action

We demand that Tribeca Film Festival not screen “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives”

Please sign the community's petition to have this film removed from the Tribeca Film Festival: http://www.change.org/glaad/petitions/view/demand_that_ticked-off_trannies_with_knives_be_pulled_from_tribeca_film_festival_line-up

Please come protest next Tuesday at Tribeca Cinema: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=103500239687288&ref=mf

Please join the online "Boycott" page and join the discussion: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1321716015326#!/group.php?gid=106926329329724&ref=mf