[Blog/Commentary] [USA] Passing Judgment

[Stephanie Stevens]

Diana’s Little Corner in the Nutmeg State, USA


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Passing Judgment


Like any community the trans-community is a diverse community and we
have our differences. I believe in the definition of transgender that
encompasses everyone who cross the gender boundaries, from drag kings
and queens to post-op transsexuals, including gender queer.

One of the words that create a lot of discussion is the word “tranny”
for some it is a slur and for others that is how they identify. Some
say that it is OK to use by the community but it is not OK when people
outside of the community which is what how I feel. But I do avoid
using it because some people are offended by it.

Which leads us to Swatch…

TIME TRANNY
<http://www.swatch.com/zz_en/watches/finder-detail.sku-GZ163.html>

LaChapelle’s creation for Swatch features a picture of the
extravagant model and transsexual icon, Amanda Lepore. Surrounded by
the blue and gold nimbus of a King Tut-like headdress, her face
radiates a red-lipsticked smile. The strap is printed with various
collaged images—a racy red car crash, a near-nude model. With all its
red-nailed, performed femininity, this watch has as much going on as a
fashion socialite, from the glitzy red, blue and gold palette to
Lepore’s arched, flawlessly painted eyebrows. Humorously titled Time
Tranny (GZ163), this irresistible piece is the delightful and
surprising work from a provocative and edgy artist.

I think the watch was a crass commercial exploitation of trans-people
(I say “was” because I guess that the watch came out several years
ago.). The watch was not designed by anyone from the community but by
a commercial artist.

Now this ad has been making the rounds of Facebook trans-community…

[Video <http://youtu.be/zVwJrAr7GkY> ]

This ad stars a transgender 19-year-old Ukrainian transgender model
Stav Strashko and I have mixed feelings about the ad. It also does
exploit the trans-community but it does feature a trans-model and that
is the source of my mixed feelings. I don’t like it, but feel that I
cannot deny a trans-person the ability to make a living.

Tell us what you think? Is the watch exploitive? What about car ad?


Posted by Diana_CT at 7:59 AM


http://dianacorner.blogspot.com/2012/08/passing-judgment.html