The debate over "tranny"

Actor Neal Patrick Harris used the word "tranny" on morning television this week.  He used the word to mock a funny voice he made.  Clearly it wasn't appropriate.  We used to make fun of Ann Coulter by calling her Mann Coulter, until it was pointed out to me that this is just like trying to belittle someone by suggesting they're gay (i.e., the insinuation is that being gay is somehow "bad" or at the very least "funny").  And it's a fair point.  But it's also something people are learning, and Harris, to his credit, apologized profusely, and sincerely, via a tweet to his 2m followers this morning, which was a pretty big learning moment right there.  Good for him.

Mike Signorile did an interesting series of interviews last year with various three trans activists, and a lesbian spokesperson from GLAAD, about the use of the word "tranny," and they disagreed about whether it is always inappropriate, always a slur, or not.  I can't say I've ever even heard anybody use the term in person.  I've never used it, though I also never realized until last year's Glee brouhaha that it was even considered a slur by some.  Then again, some people still say "orientals" for Asians, and I've even heard people say "colored" for black people, not even intending for it to be negative (seriously) - in both cases, they honestly didn't realize the words were once okay but now are considered negative.  So it seemed like a good time to link to Mike's series of interviews.