GenderLife Forum: The Information Exchange

Please go to http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.php and let CBS know how you feel about David Letterman's ridicule of the first transgender Presidential appointee. GLAAD.org

Can't we laugh at ourselves .....

I didn't find it terribly distressing and I think a "campaign" on behalf of Amanda against the skit will only do harm to Amanda. If she is offended then by all means get BEHIND her, if not let it go and move on.

No.
Because you're laughing at something a person has no control over. The skit was designed to dehumanize trans women, make out that we deceive men and that finding out someone is trans is something to completely overreact about.
This is why trans people have problems finding housing and employment - because of shit like this.
It was also pretty much the oldest trans joke in the book. Even if I were not trans, I wouldn't have laughed. It was obvious and about as clever as farting whilst pulling a stupid face.
I can laugh at myself, but it has to be funny.

I use humour and irony often to break the ice when speaking with people about my condition. This example however, promotes the very idea that the "she used to be a he" is a defense for violence against all of us. How ironic that the most successful among us are used to warp the public's perception even further.

I totally disagree with you. Letterman crossed the line and by doing so has once again propagated the idea that it's ok to treat trans people with disgust and disdain, or worse. It demeans us all. The media defines our place in society and this show reaches millions of viewers. By NOT complaining we are showing the advertisers that it is ok to be associated with this type of crap.

IMHO, the best thing for Amanda would be for the hype to die down so she can get down to doing her new job.

I haven't seen much in the popular press about it. Mainly trans publications. Most of the public probably don't even know that anyone complained. I don't think that sending an email to CBS really adds to the 'hype.' But it does let them know that it is a sensitive topic for a comedy show.

I agree about this dying out.

If they know they can hurt you deeply, you can bet they'll do it again.

Sometimes it's better to play it soft and ignore it.

She obviously has no gender issues. If Letterman does he should go see a therapist.

I dropped my 5 cents in ....

I just wanted to complain about David Lettermans disgusting joke regarding Transgendered woman Amanda Simpson! This disgusting attitude is ill mannered and should not be taken so lightly. Amanda is a transgendered woman, this is something she cannot do anything about but be true to herself. It's not a choice to be transgendered it just is! Nor is it a choice to be black or white ect! You wouldn't dare make such racial jokes. So where do you get off making such ill mannered jokes about a people you know so little about? SHAME ON YOU! This woman has obviously worked very hard past obstacles no run of the mill person could ever fathom! And she is doing well to be offered such a good job. Only to be torn down by narrow minded stereotypical ignorant biggots like Letterman? All I can say is FOR SHAME! AND HOW DARE HE! AND HOW DARE YOU CBS! I hope you should never have to endure such cruel blatent predejuice. Let alone on the daily basis that many Transgendered individuals have to just to be themselves. What a cruel cruel world and what a ugly network to think so little of it.

Greatly dissappointed and disgusted in this blatent crude display of ignorance and intolerance.