Anne Lamott Tweets Transphobia to 100K followers, Refuses to Call Caitlyn Jenner a Woman

[KamaAina]

http://www.decolonizingyoga.com/anne-lamott-tweets-transphobia-to-100k-followers-refuses-to-call-caitlyn-jenner-a-woman/

New York Time’s best selling author and progressive activist Anne Lamott entered the Caitlyn Jenner conversation by publicly tweeting to 100,000 of her followers that she would only call Caitlyn Jenner a woman when she gets a vagina. She referred to Caitlyn as “he” and said she was a mannequin, not a woman.

What Lamott is doing is bolstering cissexism. It’s the idea that gender is determined strictly by genitals. Not only does this alienate gender queer and gender non-conforming folks but it also ignores the numerous trans folks who don’t undergo surgeries. Also, refusing to call Caitlyn Jenner a woman until she has had surgery sets a dangerous precedent. It denies the right of all transgender or gender non-conforming people to self identify and be self-determined. We live in a world where some men have vaginas and some women have penises. We need to embrace this, not stigmatize it.

Furthermore, Lamott’s comparison of Jenner to a “mannequin” for being high femme feeds into the culture of femmephobia and transphobia. In my article Caitlyn Jenner is High Femme, Get Over It, I stated: “It’s widely believed both in queer and straight communities that masculinity is natural and acceptable while femininity is artificial, costume like, stereotypical and unnecessary.” I was addressing the backlash and name calling that Caitlyn Jenner was receiving from the trans and queer community for being “too feminine” and pointed out that trans men are never accused of being “too handsome.” Anne Lamott’s transphobic words merely fuel this unfair attack on transwomen.

Lamott is a well respected voice who has had a great influence in society. Her work has touched the lives of millions. At a time when up to 40% of transgender people attempt suicide and face huge health, employment, emotional and familial hurdles I wish she would have chosen to be part of the solution and not the problem. Her statements undoubtedly contribute to a culture of violence and oppression against trans people. Hopefully it’s not too late to convince her to be a positive force for change. I know she could have a big impact on trans lives if she did.

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I thought she was one of the good ones!

[RadiationTherapy]

1. Her writing has struck me as arrogant and privileged for a long time.

I just scanned a chapter of "Bird by Bird" (a "how-to-write" book) for a university class and I found it quite condescending.

[joeybee12]

2. Just like Germaine Greer...a bigot...nt

[OneGrassRoot]

3. wow

This surprises me, too. Thanks for posting.

[Initech]

4. Wow, I'd expect that from a 10 year old, not a professional writer.

[Phentex]

5. She has since apologized and also

later admitted she had used the word transgendered as well. Her son Sam was the one who corrected her and told her how ignorant she was being.

She is learning. I think she will use this experience to help others understand.

SAM SAID in separate tweets:

Everybody gets to make mistakes. It's a shame this lesson is so public, but the best lessons are often painful and embarrassing.

Trans life is so outside pop culture, and my moms small town life. This is how the truth gets out, this is how we evolve. We talk about it.

I learned about trans life from a close FTM friend who was willing and patient to answer my ignorant and incredibly personal questions.

You can be part of the noise, but when the noise quiets down...you'll wish were part of the change, it lasts longer.

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Thanks for sharing this. n/t

[NuclearDem]

6. So gross.

[DonCoquixote]

8. if she bothered to read

she would also learn the process takes a year if done right. I say this because my good friend had her procedure rushed. I will not be graphic, but if you do "change" that part too quick, before the body heals from the other steps, the consequences are nasty and very easily fatal.