Tuesday, October 30, 2012

MAGNET Boycotts RuPaul's Ongoing Bullying & Misgendering of Transsexual Women; 'Drag Race' October 29th Episode Mocks Transsexualism; (memo: Gay Men Don't Get Free Pass On Transphobia, Hypocrisy & Sexism)


Last night, October 29th 2012, on RuPaul’s All Star’s Drag Race, gay male entertainer RuPaul once again used his show as a bully pulpit to mock and misrepresent what the medical condition transsexualism actually is, despite the last few years of transsexual and transgender advocates protesting his use of offensive pejoratives such as “tra**y” and “she-male” .
Comedienne Vicki Lawrence asked, “Hey Ru, what’s the difference between a drag queen and a transsexual?” 

RuPaul laughingly replies, “About twenty-five thousand dollars and a good surgeon.”
RuPaul should realize there’s nothing funny about misinforming millions of people about an oppressed community in urgent need of public understanding, acceptance and lifesaving resources. Transsexualism is actually a legitimate medical condition recognized by the American Medical Association where a woman or man is born in the wrong body and undergoes medical treatment to better align their anatomy with their mind and true gender, whereas a drag queen is a gay male dressing up as a woman for entertainment and/or professional purposes.

Ashley Love, an organizer with Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Transsexual & Transgender People (MAGNET), is not surprised, “RuPaul’s unapologetic transsexual-phobia reaches millions who feel if gay men can attack women born with transsexualism, then they can too, which further marginalizes and endangers our well-being and healthcare needs. Many gay male celebrities are very big on calling themselves “anti-bullying” advocates, yet very light on understanding that misgendering women born with transsexualism by making dehumanizing ‘trans-face’ comments equates to bullying as well. Will the ongoing hypocrisy, sexism, transphobia and bullying by RuPaul and other gay male public figures ever stop? ”
RuPaul’s unchecked mistreatment and public humiliation of women who happen to be born different must be addressed as his comments mislead society to think it’s acceptable to bully little girls, teens and women born with transsexualiusm. MAGNET calls on the mainstream and LGBT media, human rights non-profits and community members to not give gay men a free pass on bullying transsexual and transgender people. Until RuPaul and his show’s production company, World of Wonder Productions, take responsibility for their ongoing public assaults on the dignity, accurate narratives and well-being of women of transsexual medical history, we ask all allies to join our boycott against RuPaul’s misgendering and bullying of our community.   

TAKE ACTION In 3 Steps:

1: BOYCOTT RuPaul’s Drag Race:
- Urge your friends and family to stop watching this show
- Post MAGNET’s boycott announcment in your social networking sites and email to ally groups:
http://themagnetsource.blogspot.com/2012/10/magnet-boycotts-rupauls-ongoing.html

2: JOIN COVERSATION:
-  Join Facebook Group: ‘Boycott RuPaul’s Bullying, Transsexual-phobia & Misgendering’ :
LINK: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/427114894015880/?fref=ts

Let’s talk about it, together! United we can end the misgendering and bullying that harms transsexual and trandgender people!

3: WRITE & CALL RuPaul & His Production Company, World of Wonder Productions:

-          EMAIL World of Wonder Productions CEOs Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey
        Barbato:  rbarbato@worldofwonder.net   Bailey: fbailey@worldofwonder.net  
-          ADDRESS (World of Wonder): 6650 Hollywood Blvd # 400. Hollywood, CA, 90028.
      -          TELEPHONE (World of Wonder): 323-603-6300

 For more information/press inquiries:
Contact MAGNET: MAGNET.Advocacy@gmail.com

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

2 comments:

  1. We often have no voice, so often times people that know nothing about us will come in and speak of us and speak for us. How can this man tell people who and what transsexuals are? How dare him try to speak for us! Or try to use us as the butt of his joke! This type of bullying Is unacceptable and no longer will be tolerated! Transsexual women and men are standing up against this bullying along with our gay friends and family! I am a woman always have been.....this is not a game nor a joke! Once again thank you MAGNET for bringing this to our attention!

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  2. As a woman of transsexual history, I feel the collateral damage of mischaracterizations daily. Rupaul's disgusting anti-feminine vitriol is endemic of the drag culture whose charicature display of females is often both misogynistic and demeaning. While wearing costumes comprised caked on makeup, womenswear and overt gestures they purport to be making fun of 'themselves.' Yet that they clearly identify as males it is not left to the imagination of the audience.

    Put into perspective, it would be no different than a white man painting himself black and making racist comments and gestures.

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