Rupaul came under-fire most recently with an episode of Drag Race Season 6 having a mini-challenge called 'Female or She-male?' where contestants were asked to judge body part pictures and say whether they thought they were from a “biological woman” or a “psychological woman.” It isn't the first time Rupaul has accidentally courted controversy within the trans community, often using the word 'Tranny' without apology and has previously made the joke when asked what the difference is between a drag queen and a trans woman, he said “about $25,000 and a good surgeon.” It has to be said I have cowered behind a sofa cushion whilst watching Drag Race and feeling a sense of awkwardness about what appears to be downright transphobia.
But I think we all need to take a minute to check ourselves (before we wreck ourselves). Now I could be accused of using my 'gay male privilege' in presenting my case, which is a term I have heard bandied about within the communities of LGB and T. But I have taken a moment to look back over gay/trans history to see the changing face of what it meant to be gay or trans and how previously they weren't 100% exclusive of each other.
There seems to be a struggle over ownership of certain words and terms that make it hard for me being a Drag Race fan and a trans ally. The word 'tranny' has been back and fourth in the debate of offensive versus term of endearment. The truth is (or at least should be) that if you experience that word directed at you in either a positive or negative way you are entitled to own that word and how you feel about it, this therefore applies to drag queens and trans women. It is my belief that Rupaul is well within his rights to use certain terminology as he pleases if it refers to him, equally trans women have the right to be offended by certain words and phrases if they apply to them, but neither party has the right to berate the other for taking ownership of those words. When cis non-drag gay men come flying in trying to own those words, that's when education is needed.
My hope is that my trans friends don't think I am coming from a 'gay male privilege' view point, but rather one of trying to find solace in a world where too much in-house fighting within the LGBTQI communities leads to nothing but a weakened standing. Those letters come together under one umbrella to shield us all from the rain coming down on us, let's not push each other out in the wet. I've said what I had to say, the time has come for me to sashay away.