'Gay' Caveman

In our class today, the 'Gay Caveman' was mentioned. This label is problematic to me. Caveman, for one, let's try modern human. And then the gay part. I've taken classes in women and gender studies and a healthy sexuality, I know the definition of transgender, transsexual, gay, straight, whatever. I have also met many people who fall under these categories. One transgender friend insists on being addressed as 'they' instead of he/she and not only do I understand that request but I also respect it. Unfortunately, it seems like most people I meet are not aware of what the definitions for those terms are, and even more unfortunate is that a lot of people I meet have stereotypical reactions to 'all that stuff'. I don't know, I hate to generalize, but I have given my fair share of blank stares as someone tried to tell me why such things were wrong or weird...
Whatever their explanation, the underlying tenet was that it was wrong because it deviated from the 'norm' and made them uncomfortable. To prove my point, here is a news clip from CNN. Mainstream news, mainstream views, mainstream shock. For extra awesome reading, check out the comments below the video!

Source:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HelDc7dxXQo

CNN: The best news on the planet! (That is the actual video tagline)

So, transgender or two spirit, is when a person who was born one sex, chooses to live as a neutral gender or as someone of the opposite gender. Gender being the chosen identity of female or male as demonstrated by the social norms for one's culture and sex being the biological male or female assignment that is designated at birth. (Some people aren't born as either but I'm not going to delve into that just now). Anyway, transgender individuals have been around for a long time. A long long time. In some cultures, two spirit individuals were regarded as special because they possessed knowledge of both gender identities. As a result, they were often placed in important social roles, especially something like a shaman or healer.

As I was pondering that youtube video, driving to pick up my daughter, my ipod on shuffle, a song came on called UBahn. It is by a transgender individual named Rae Spoon. Born a female, Rae lives his life as a male. So, for your viewing pleasure, from the album "loveisahunter", a relevant song from a transgender individual influencing current culture.

Source:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA8hhGUjQAU

And here is a nice little video interview by ChartAttack about Rae Spoon and his transgender identity.

Source:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTXwkSb1qSc

On a more personal note, the following is a link to a blog by a transgender friend. If you look through the archives he has done a nice video diary of his transition from female to male, using testosterone. He also shares personal accounts of abuse and rejection, growing up a a queer woman who eventually became a straight man.

http://www.newwavenerd.com

What amazing people.
Seriously.

Looking forward to discussing this in class.

Archaeology of Death Student Introduction

Hello hello,

My name is Andrea Bissonnette. This is my first foray into blogging land...I wish I knew more about computers, specifically, how to change the background picture to 300k. (If you read this and know how, please do message me instructions. MUCH appreciated.)

Alright, the good stuff. Well let's see, I grew up in Saskatoon, SK and moved to Victoria in 2009. In those first few formative years I traveling the globe extensively. Living abroad for longer periods in Germany and New Zealand. As a child I spent a great deal of time on the West coast and have quite happily settled here. For now.

I have studied at the University of Saskatchewan (Theatre/German), abroad in Kassel, Germany (German) and London, England (Theatre), and at the University of Victoria (Anthropology). I will (hopefully) be finished my Anthropology degree by the end of this summer and I will be starting my Nursing degree at Camosun in the Fall. The thought is that maybe, just maybe, I will be able to work as a nurse for a few years; my interests lie in women's health, sexual health, and emergency care. Eventually, I'd like to land myself a research position in the field of medical anthropology, focusing on food deserts in places like NYC. (I have a love affair with New York...but it could be London or Paris, I'm not picky)(maybe a little sarcastic)(hey, I can have dreams).

Right, so, other things about me. I like to take pictures, sometimes on film. I like fashion. I spend a lot of time listening to music and walking by the ocean or in parks. I really really really like to dance but only with friends when we're being silly. I have a daughter, Aalyn, she is 10 months old and the coolest lady I know. If you check out my google+ profile I uploaded some pictures of us.

I am interested in this class because...because...is it too dark to say that death is intriguing? That I've been to enough funerals to feel like maybe (aside from the human sacrifice part), the 10 days of fun that the Rus had sounds enthralling. I've spent enough time thinking about my own existence and death, maybe someone else has some better ideas on the matter. I tend to think we live, we die, that is the way of life and while that energy never dies, there is nothing more for us. I find funerary practices and their ties to religion and the idea of an afterlife absolutely fascinating. As someone whose interests lie in social anthropology, ethnographic accounts of rituals of this sort are of particular interest.

Well, 9:30 is upon us. In mum speak that is bed time. Sweet sweet bed time.

As bugs bunny said, that's all folks!