'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.