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Re: Trans Terminology
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From: K.T. Horning <horning_at_education.wisc.edu>
Date: Thu, 08 May 2014 11:46:29 -0500
Peter and Ilene, I really appreciate your comments on terminology. (And, Ilene, thanks for the link!) As Peter said, even the terms we used can be politically problematic. It's definitely important to be aware of terminology and pronouns -- and to know that the terms themselves are in a state of constant flux. However, for some on this list, the subject itself is a new one, and I wouldn't want anyone to refrain from posting a comment or question out of fear of using the "wrong" words. We want CCBC-Net to be an open -- and forgiving -- community, and we recognize that we call come to the discussion with different experiences and frames of reference, and we want to all learn from each other. We welcome participation of experts and newcomers to the topic.
In terms of terms, I find it especially challenging to discuss the literature for and about young children in this area. I think this stems from not wanting to label or pigeon hole a young child who is still in the process of self discovery. That's why I raised the question about "Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress" and "Jacob's New Dress." Are these stories about trans kids or boys who like to wear dresses or both? And does it really matter? (OK, so maybe I do need to label and pigeon hole after all!) We'll have an opportunity to ask one of the authors, Christine Baldacchino, the third week in May when we discuss these two picture books.
In the meantime, I encourage you to visit the website of the organization mentioned earlier by Jessica Herthel, TransKids Purple Rainbow at http://www.transkidspurplerainbow.org/ The FAQ is very helpful, and I also learned a lot from watching the film called "I Am Jazz," which you can watch on the site. At the time the film was made, Jazz was eleven, and she has really clear memories of her early childhood, feeling like a girl born into a boy's body. The candid commentary by her parents is also quite interesting. And it makes me even more eager to see Jessica's picture book about her that'll be out in the fall of 2014.
--KT
Date: Thu, 08 May 2014 11:46:29 -0500
Peter and Ilene, I really appreciate your comments on terminology. (And, Ilene, thanks for the link!) As Peter said, even the terms we used can be politically problematic. It's definitely important to be aware of terminology and pronouns -- and to know that the terms themselves are in a state of constant flux. However, for some on this list, the subject itself is a new one, and I wouldn't want anyone to refrain from posting a comment or question out of fear of using the "wrong" words. We want CCBC-Net to be an open -- and forgiving -- community, and we recognize that we call come to the discussion with different experiences and frames of reference, and we want to all learn from each other. We welcome participation of experts and newcomers to the topic.
In terms of terms, I find it especially challenging to discuss the literature for and about young children in this area. I think this stems from not wanting to label or pigeon hole a young child who is still in the process of self discovery. That's why I raised the question about "Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress" and "Jacob's New Dress." Are these stories about trans kids or boys who like to wear dresses or both? And does it really matter? (OK, so maybe I do need to label and pigeon hole after all!) We'll have an opportunity to ask one of the authors, Christine Baldacchino, the third week in May when we discuss these two picture books.
In the meantime, I encourage you to visit the website of the organization mentioned earlier by Jessica Herthel, TransKids Purple Rainbow at http://www.transkidspurplerainbow.org/ The FAQ is very helpful, and I also learned a lot from watching the film called "I Am Jazz," which you can watch on the site. At the time the film was made, Jazz was eleven, and she has really clear memories of her early childhood, feeling like a girl born into a boy's body. The candid commentary by her parents is also quite interesting. And it makes me even more eager to see Jessica's picture book about her that'll be out in the fall of 2014.
--KT
-- Kathleen T. Horning Director Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 N. Park St Madison, WI 53706 http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc horning_at_education.wisc.edu 608-263-3721 (phone) 608-262-4933 (fax) ==== CCBC-Net Use ==== You are currently subscribed to ccbc-net as: ccbc-archive_at_post.education.wisc.edu. To post to the list, send message to... ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu To receive messages in digest format, send a blank message to... digest-ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu To unsubscribe, send a blank message to... leave-ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu ==== CCBC-Net Archives ==== The CCBC-Net archives are available to all CCBC-Net listserv members. The archives are organized by month and year. A list of discussion topics (including month/year) is available at... http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/ccbcnet/archives.asp To access the archives, go to... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/ccbc-net ...and enter the following when prompted... username: ccbc-net password: Look4PostsReceived on Thu 08 May 2014 11:46:56 AM CDT
