It’s time for our series of posts here at Jessica Who?, titled “Word of the Week”. In these short articles, from here on out published each Friday, I will explore the various labels and umbrella terms used to label us. By doing this, I hope to educate not only myself, but also anyone who may not be familiar with these terms. Feel free to add your own knowledge to each post by leaving a comment 
.
The label that we will be examining is: Tranny
Standard Definition
Tranny is an abbreviated version of transgender.
Derogatory?
So, here we go. Tranny is probably the most controversial word that we’ve covered so far. It definitely is used to disparage transgendered people, there is no doubt about that. In addition, tranny is used in the same vain as shemale — for erotic and pornographic purposes.
However, here is where the controversy begins. Similar to the “n-word”, tranny is now used colloquially among transgendered people — and this includes crossdressers, transsexuals and everyone in between. It is indeed peculiar when words that started off as epithets become part of common usage.
What’s It Really Mean?
This word means different things to different people. For some, it is an all encompassing umbrella term that can be applied to anyone who is transgendered. Others may believe that this word only applies to those who are transitioning. Finally, others consider this word to be a highly offensive slur that should never be uttered.
My Take
Matt Kailey of Tranifesto wrote an interesting post at the beginning of August, which you can find here. On that post, I wrote a comment, which I will paste below:
I am not offended at all by the word, in fact several of my friends who are also transgendered frequently use it to refer to either themselves or each other.
I’m honestly beginning to think that it is being reclaimed, at least among my generation (those in their 20s and younger), similar to how the “n-word” is used by black youth.
I know that this word will probably cause a lot of debate but I just wanted to state things from my perspective, as a younger trans person. For many of us, “tranny” is not offensive
My first encounter with someone using the word to describe me came at the Be-All conference in June. Since that time, I have read or heard the word used in casual conversation to describe transgendered people and topics.
Essentially, what I’m saying is that I have no problem using the word to describe myself and actually do so frequently.
Your Take
Have you anything to add? Please leave your take on this word in the comments section, I hope we can open up a dialogue and learn from each other while educating the masses.
Because of the controversial nature of this word, I’m really looking forward to insightful and well-thought out comments. Please keep your insights civil as we attempt to hear all perspectives on this word. Thank You
JessicaWhoHD
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I use tranny to refer to myself all the time, and I’m perfectly OK with other using it to refer to me. I do make it clear to people that while I may be OK with it, not everyone in my situation will be, so tread carefully!
Yea, I rather like the word to describe myself personally
I’ve always seen it as a contraction of transgender and used in more informal settings.
As for its use, i’m happy to use it though socially I take my cue from others, I’ve noticed as well that the younger you are the happier you are to use it, the stage on the tg scale also has a little influence.
Same here, once I heard it being thrown around and used on me, I felt more comfortable with it
It seems very informal and for that reason I prefer it. ‘Trans’ comes a close second.
Another element of it is that if the Great Unwashed do shout anything, it’s frequently “oi! tranny”, so I kinda like it that we’ve reclaimed the word
Me too
Just seconding what you said about younger people. I hear it used in a playful manner describing everything from someone intending to get srs to just putting on a wig and being “trannied out”
LOL @ “Trannied Out”
I’m not out to my room mates, and generally the topic of transfolk doesn’t come up in conversation, *unless* one of my room mates had found some kind of outrageous porn involving such. So naturally, their vocabulary on the subject is pretty limited.
I’m not sure which is more painful, that the main words used in conversation to describe people like myself have a strong pornographic implication, or that I feel compelled to stay silent about the former.
Not only porn, but crazy shows like Maury or Jerry Springer. I know how you feel Aeva, but rest assured that you are not alone.
Being one of the older generation when I came out of the closet after many years of hiding the other side of me away , then I am more at easy to be classed as a crossdresser or tranny than a transvestite.
I also feel that tranny is a more lighted description.
Good point Martina. I’ve noticed that transvestite has become more of a hated term than tranny.
Being TS and TWICE older than the 20 something group that uses the word often, I was taken back the first few times I heard it used by the younger girls. I think it also bothers me less because of my confidence and comfort I have about who I am. I have heard it used to describe hierarchy, Dresser = CD, Trans = Transitioning, All the Way = Post Op
So true Kristen, the more sure you are of yourself, the less likely you are to be offended by words.
I kinda like the informality of the word. Mean-spirited people can turn any term of gender variance into a slur. Meanwhile, “tranny” feels like an affectionate shorthand, akin to calling a Jennifer “Jenny” or a Jessica “Jess” or “Jessi.” Also, “tranny” is non-specific enough to identify with even for gals who haven’t yet figured out what they want, gender-wise.
Excellent comment
! I never thought of it like an affectionate shorthand, thanks for sharing.
I agree with Tiresias girl’s take on this
Yea, what a great take it is
I’m more at ease with the term Tranny and also use it to describe myself. However, I am aware that a great many folks equate the term with pornographic homosexual acts that the industry gleefully uses to depict us. It’s unfortunate that we are all lumped together in the minds of those that look down on us. I’m sure there are many that enjoy those activities and it isn’t my intention to demean them as they are the only ones willing to accept us as we are.
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