Transsexualism and Pop Culture

Every generation seems to have some different things that are “in” or “cool”. Because these things seems to apply – at least partly – to the whole society most people argue that it is part of our pop culture – if not the pop culture at all.

When I went to high school (or rather the western European equivalent of it) it was in with the not-yet-intellectual girls to have at least one gay man as a good friend. Maybe because a straight girl can talk about the boys with a gay guy. Maybe just to play the minority card and then pick the gay because they at least have style. Sure, it’s just guesswork, but it could be some clues about the motivation. However, you need to have him and show off with him.
Now, for I came out as a transsexual during my time at this school it is quite interesting to see the results of this compared to the rest of the “queer-is-cool” trend. First of all I have to say that at such a school no one would dare to directly offend a transsexual on the school although there was a lot (at least partly) negative gossip behind my back – I happen to have my ears everywhere and wiretap everything. Well, most of the guys just avoided me, because it seems to overthrow a man’s world image as (post-)teen when another ‘man’ just turns into a woman. On the other hand some of the women did the same although many tried the same showing-off game as with gay guys. So a transsexual is not as cool as a gay but at least a useful replacement on a school where there are not that many out gays. At least you can say “I know a tranny”, although the tranny may not know you at all…

Sure, it would be mean to say everyone does things just for the “oh-so-liberal” image but it’s a factor that can’t be neglected. However, there are other signs that transsexualism seems to enter pop culture in some way. The reports in the media don’t really loose their sensation-seeking touch but there are so many that one can actually get bored. It’s about time that it turns into something more boring and average than one could guess. And in some way – mostly by media – people seem to know more about the subject. Although here are already the first cissexuals playing “smart-ass” on the subject they don’t really know; but everything has its downsides.

The last thing that seems to make transsexualism enter pop culture is the fact, how many transsexuals mess around in the entertainment industry. You can listen to pop music made by transsexuals, you see them in movies and that maybe without even knowing for every revolution uses subversion. And so most people already heard of it, talked about it or at least pretended to do so. And yes, everyone who wants to appear smart, open-minded and tolerant needs to know a transsexual and talk about her to get a better ranking in the mentioned disciplines. Somewhat creepy, considering that there are still weird radicals on the other side that have a lack of self-control and apropropriate behaviour.

So fellows, don’t try to show off with me too much because I hope you’re smarter than that.
Your extraordinary Liz

~ by Liz on July 16, 2009.