Transsexual News

Originally Posted by randolph

Any comment on definition of "tranny"?

I don't think I've ever met a TV who would call themselves a 'Tranny' (unless they're into being abused that is) this is just the sort of term they often print in the press over here in the UK - 'Gender-Bender' is another favourite. I do wonder if she actually knows any TVs these days.

I'm glad she complained though - the press in the UK likes having a pop at any perceived sexual 'deviancy' (especially if they can dress it up as some kind of nudge-nudge-wink-wink type 'joke') and they need to be reminded that it's people's lives they're talking about.

[randolph]

Gay Group Demands Letterman Apologize for Mocking Transgender Appointee Amanda Simpson
Human Rights Coalition Calls David Letterman Joke 'Inappropriate and Incendiary'
By RUSSELL GOLDMAN

Jan. 6, 2009 ?

The country's largest gay-rights group today demanded an apology from David Letterman, for making what it called "inappropriate and incendiary remarks" regarding President Obama's appointment of a transgender woman to the Commerce Department.

In his monologue Tuesday, Letterman remarked that Amanda Simpson, a transgender woman, had been appointed to work in the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, where she will monitor the export of military technology.

As a photograph of Simpson was shown, announcer Alan Kalter shouted, "What? Amanda? Amanda used to be a dude?"

"Oh my God!" he shouted, before running off stage, with audience laughing.

In a letter to Letterman and CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler, Human Rights Campaign called the bit "inappropriate and incendiary" and said it reflected "transphobia," a fear or hatred of transgender people.

"Your skit affirmed and encouraged a prejudice against transgender Americans that keeps many from finding jobs, housing, and enjoying freedoms you and your writers take for granted every day," HRC's Allyson Robinson wrote in the letter.

Robinson said the punch line of the bit has "been used as a defense in nearly every hate crime perpetrated against transgender people that has come to trial." She cited two cases in which individuals suspected of murdering transgender people claimed they did so in a rage after learning about their victims' gender identity.

Letterman spokesman Tom Keaney told ABCNews.com he would not comment.

[ila]

Originally Posted by randolph

Gay Group Demands Letterman Apologize for Mocking Transgender Appointee Amanda Simpson
Human Rights Coalition Calls David Letterman Joke 'Inappropriate and Incendiary'
By RUSSELL GOLDMAN

Jan. 6, 2009 ?

The country's largest gay-rights group today demanded an apology from David Letterman, for making what it called "inappropriate and incendiary remarks" regarding President Obama's appointment of a transgender woman to the Commerce Department.

In his monologue Tuesday, Letterman remarked that Amanda Simpson, a transgender woman, had been appointed to work in the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, where she will monitor the export of military technology.

As a photograph of Simpson was shown, announcer Alan Kalter shouted, "What? Amanda? Amanda used to be a dude?"

"Oh my God!" he shouted, before running off stage, with audience laughing.

In a letter to Letterman and CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler, Human Rights Campaign called the bit "inappropriate and incendiary" and said it reflected "transphobia," a fear or hatred of transgender people.

"Your skit affirmed and encouraged a prejudice against transgender Americans that keeps many from finding jobs, housing, and enjoying freedoms you and your writers take for granted every day," HRC's Allyson Robinson wrote in the letter.

Robinson said the punch line of the bit has "been used as a defense in nearly every hate crime perpetrated against transgender people that has come to trial." She cited two cases in which individuals suspected of murdering transgender people claimed they did so in a rage after learning about their victims' gender identity.

Letterman spokesman Tom Keaney told ABCNews.com he would not comment.

Thankyou, randolph. I don't watch Letterman and so I did not see this nor was I aware of what had been done on Letterman.

I'm glad a group took him and ABC to task for a crude, rude, uniformed, and insensitive act.

I think it was very cowardly of Letterman and ABC to not comment on this.

[smc]

Originally Posted by ila

Thankyou, randolph. I don't watch Letterman and so I did not see this nor was I aware of what had been done on Letterman.

I'm glad a group took him and ABC to task for a crude, rude, uniformed, and insensitive act.

I think it was very cowardly of Letterman and ABC to not comment on this.

Just to clarify: It was ABC asking for the comment from Letterman, who is on CBS. ABC News has done plenty of cowardly things, but this wasn't one of them.

[ila]

Originally Posted by smc

Just to clarify: It was ABC asking for the comment from Letterman, who is on CBS. ABC News has done plenty of cowardly things, but this wasn't one of them.

Oops, my mistake. I should really learn how to read. After reading the randolph's post though, I don't think I'll take up watching Letterman.

[randolph]

There?s Something About Miriam?.?The transsexual who rose to fame on the hit reality TV show There?s Something About Miriam is working as a ?300-an-hour ?escort?.

Miriam Rivera, 28, caused controversy on the dating show when she duped six male contestants ? competing for her affections and ?10,000 prize money ? into believing she was a woman.

It was only in the final episode of the cult 2004 programme that Miriam revealed the truth? that she was born male. The outraged contestants then sued the producers for personal injury.

Now Mexican-born Miriam is advertising her services online as a ?companion?, operating from Knightsbridge, West London.

The former glamour model confirms to punters contacting her that she offers clients a ?full service? for ?300 an hour or ?200 for half an hour at her flat.

She says: ?I do absolutely everything ? I do a full service. Once you have paid for me, you can do whatever you want.?

Her internet advert boasts about her spell on the show, which was screened on Sky in Britain and sold worldwide.

It says: ?Probably hear about me being one of the most beautiful transsexuals in the world and famous for my reality show

Well Miriam, I hope you succeed in your new career.

[randolph]

BOSTON ? The U.S. Tax Court ruled Tuesday that a Massachusetts woman should be allowed to deduct the costs of her sex-change operation, a decision that could have broad implications for transgender people.
Rhiannon O'Donnabhain (oh-DON'-oh-vin), who was born a man, sued the Internal Revenue Service after the agency rejected a $5,000 deduction for approximately $25,000 in medical expenses associated with the sex-change surgery.
The IRS said the surgery was cosmetic and not medically necessary.
In its decision Tuesday, the tax court said the IRS position was "at best a superficial characterization of the circumstances" that is "thoroughly rebutted by the medical evidence."
The legal group Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, which represented O'Donnabhain, said the ruling could potentially affect thousands of people a year in the U.S. who undergo similar operations.
"I think what the court is saying is that surgery and hormone therapy for transgender people to alleviate the stress associated with gender identity disorder is legitimate medical care," said Jennifer Levi, a GLAD attorney.