Dan Savage Glitter-Bombed A Second Time, Calls It "Ridiculous" PDF Print
Written by Jonathan Higbee | Monday, 14 November 2011

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When Dan Savage (father of the "It Gets Better" project) was glitter-bombed by trans activists earlier this month, the sparkled shrapnel sent a riptide of debate here on the Instinct blog. It's not looking like the first confetti attack moved forward the trans activists' intentions to rehab Dan; at a recent U.C. Irvine speech, Dan allegedly used the terms "shemale" and "freaky tranny porn," [Update: Dan says he did not say "freaky tranny porn"] provoking a second glitter-bomb attack (and the arrest of one of the trans activists). Details follow.

Bilerico has the details:

According to my source at the event, Savage was in the middle of answering a question from a student who was wondering if her boyfriend was a freak because he watched porn featuring trans women. Savage suggested that her boyfriend was a freak, while freely using the terms "shemale" and "freaky tranny porn." That is when two individuals ran up and threw glitter on him yelling "Transphobe!" Someone from the MTV tech crew muttered "Oh, not again!" Savage laughed it off and said that being gay he loves glitter.

Later, when another student was asking him about the incident, Savage answered, "I'm used to it."

Savage's use of the terms "tranny" and "shemale" are a minor part of the complaints being lodged against him, however, the use of those slurs is the most visible and most discussed part of them. Savage has claimed that he was transphobic 15 years ago but isn't anymore, however, if that is true than why would Dan choose to use those same derogatory slurs knowing how much anger it draws from the trans community and so soon on the heels of the first glitter stunt?

Bilerico goes on to ask if Dan just doesn't care or was being antagonistic following the first attack. What do you think Instincters?

Also, JoeMyGod's Joe Jervis reports that Dan texted him today to defend himself against the report. Dan says he used the questionable, glitter-bomb-summoning words in response to an audience member's question, and called the attack "ridiculous."

How do you feel about what Dan said to provoke a second glitter coating?

Comments (3)Add Comment
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written by Chad Bylsma, November 14, 2011
Some people just need to chill the fuck out! I hang out with lots of trans and gender queer people, and the term is used quite often. There is even a drag show in Seattle called "Tranny Shack". My boyfriend is a self-identified gender queer who also performs in drag shows. We often use the terms "tranny" and "shemale".

I really think this is just some bitchy people trying to make an issue out of nothing. Instead of fighting the real enemy, they choose to take on people within the queer community. Fucking brilliant!
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written by Shaed, November 14, 2011
Wow Chad, you totally fail to discern between people reclaiming language that has been used to oppress them, and people who have no fucking clue how those words affect other people, or worse, are using them because they like to hurt people.

Not to mention that the bigoted things Dan has said have been more than offensive words. You know, like saying that he assumes every bi guy he meets is gay and lying. Like telling a trans woman that she is a "bad tranny" and evil and selfish for transitioning before her kid gets out of highschool. Like pretending that a conservative politician is trans as an insult to that politician. Like telling a rape victim she is "emotionally abusing" her husband because her PTSD prevents her having sex with him, but not her boyfriend, who does not remind her of the rape. And speaking of polyamory, his complete lack of understanding of female sexuality (basically assuming all men are innately poly and no women are) is also a problem.

My real enemies are those who would pretend to support me, but then turn around and tell me I shouldn't "inflict" myself on "normal" people.
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written by AJ87, February 29, 2012
He thinks he can use those slurs because hes gay, in fact the gay community and trans community are very separate. You can't go around saying the "n word" either, because you are not black. You are also not trans, so there is a level of respect and sensitivity that needs to be shown especially in public. I doubt he thinks it's ok if a hetero throws around the word "faggot" publicly.

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