Transgender Transtivity
Jack Halberstam's article on the transgender population and the generational divides on the subject made me think of Magic Johnson's Son.
EJ, or Earvin Johnson the third, became a sensation in HollyWood a couple of years ago when he starred on "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" on E. I'd personally never heard of Magic Johnson's kids before or about their sexuality at all until all of a sudden EJ became the center of conversation. He's a big guy, 6'6, with a loud personality, and an affinity for fashion. This combined with him being a black man and an openly gay caused quite a ruckus online and in my own social circles. I found that in the black community especially, theres a major generational divide with the acceptance of gay and trans men. It seemed like everyone my age either didn't care about EJ at all or thought his openness was cool. The only disparaging remarks came from older people that I knew or backhand compliments given from older women at the beauty salon. They hadn't yet understood that the term "Tranny" was no longer politically correct. Or understood the idea that people could be gay and dress in a more feminine manner. Or why people may or may not want to transition. Gender, in general, was a seemingly more rigid topic amongst the older people I knew. I think this is widely due to the fact that we now have more examples of the LGBTQ community that paints them in an entirely normal and human light. We don't have to ask a bunch of questions or make assumptions because the information is readily available to us. This, in relation to gender as a whole has really allowed kids to explore what makes them feel comfortable and loosen the ties between sex and gender.
EJ, or Earvin Johnson the third, became a sensation in HollyWood a couple of years ago when he starred on "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" on E. I'd personally never heard of Magic Johnson's kids before or about their sexuality at all until all of a sudden EJ became the center of conversation. He's a big guy, 6'6, with a loud personality, and an affinity for fashion. This combined with him being a black man and an openly gay caused quite a ruckus online and in my own social circles. I found that in the black community especially, theres a major generational divide with the acceptance of gay and trans men. It seemed like everyone my age either didn't care about EJ at all or thought his openness was cool. The only disparaging remarks came from older people that I knew or backhand compliments given from older women at the beauty salon. They hadn't yet understood that the term "Tranny" was no longer politically correct. Or understood the idea that people could be gay and dress in a more feminine manner. Or why people may or may not want to transition. Gender, in general, was a seemingly more rigid topic amongst the older people I knew. I think this is widely due to the fact that we now have more examples of the LGBTQ community that paints them in an entirely normal and human light. We don't have to ask a bunch of questions or make assumptions because the information is readily available to us. This, in relation to gender as a whole has really allowed kids to explore what makes them feel comfortable and loosen the ties between sex and gender.
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