“I do not have a birth defect. If you feel like you have a birth defect, fine. That’s how you feel. Go feel that. Do not put it onto me. Do not define me that way, and do not define other trans people that way unless they claim that label. … Chaz is a misogynist. He is a trans man who seems to believe that his female-assignedness and his female socialization makes him immune from being a misogynist, and he is manifestly wrong. This man doesn’t represent our community… The next time you hear Chaz’s name brought up in a conversation about trans issues, point out the things he’s said about surgery, ‘birth defects,’ and women.”
This is Stephen Beatty’s reaction to Chaz Bono‘s latest assertation that being transgendered is a “birth defect,” but I think we all know the real birth defect here might be “parented by Cher.” I mean, Cher and Warren Beatty dated back in ’62, so Stephen here could very well have been a child of Cher’s. He should just be happy he missed that crazy train.
Chaz had previously commented, “There’s a gender in your brain and a gender in your body. For 99 percent of people, those things are in alignment. For transgender people, they’re mismatched. That’s all it is. It’s not complicated, it’s not a neurosis. It’s a mix-up. It’s a birth defect, like a cleft palate.”
And I get his point – I really do. I just don’t know that I’d, personally, word it quite like that.
What do you think – is transgender a birth defect, or is Chaz Bono still reaping the rewards for putting his foot in his mouth one too many times?
I’ve always thought of it in exactly the same way Chaz has described it. What crawled up Stephen’s ass and made him so cranky and hateful?
I don’t how 1962, can be a correct date. Cher wasn’t Cher in 1962.
I don’t agree with Chaz’s thought that transgender is a birth defect, I agree with Stephen. So now what, is he saying that being gay is also a birth defect. I understand that there is a difference between homosexuality and being transgerdered, but come on, it’s not a whole lot of difference.
why can’t you call it a birth defect? being born in the wrong body is a pretty big problem,right? i mean, having a birth defect doesn’t equal inferiority. calm down.
yeah cos men don’t prattle and men don’t gossip – i’m not sure what world chas dude lives in but i see stephen beatty’s point. more power to you kid.
while “birth defect” may not be the best term to use I don’t really see anything that wrong with it, especially in the context of that quote. Chaz said he was born in the wrong gender body and that it isn’t a huge deal, he seemed very matter of fact about it
Perhaps neither are wrong. We’re so repressed in our morals and beliefs about sex that we are unable to grasp the entire spectrum of human experience. Because we lack the sensibility to define this phenomenon, we lack proper language to explain it.
Chaz and Stephen are not psychologists or social scientists. They are only speaking from their personal stories and struggles. There’s no right and wrong about that… unless you’re judging someone else. While Chaz’ word has a negative connotation, I don’t believe he meant to insult his own kind (if there is a “kind”), or to express anything but his own personal struggle with a vocabulary that is obviously limited.
Honestly, our attitudes toward “nontraditional” sexuality is horribly barbaric… along with many of our other primitive “modern” views. Thank you rich white hetero males, for all you’ve done (and undone). Now get the h@11 out of the way, cause it’s high time for new leadership.
I’m a trans mom of 3 weeks. and I agree and appreciate the wise words oimpish 1 shared. Stop judging people unless you wear their skin. Pretty simple. I love my son.
Stephen,
For someone who probably was judged all her/his life by others, I am astonished at your vile comments and attitude toward another transgendered individual. Your hopes, optimism, expectations for yourself is exactly what you are villifying Chaz for. Shame on you.
Stephen Beatty wrote a follow-up blog post that is a lot more chill.
There was something else I just found (I was trying to locate Beatty’s blog, and fwoosh), and it describes the difference between transsexual and transgender, and then goes on to make the case that Bono and Beatty are really discussing two hugely different things.
I do agree that Beatty could be more compassionate and not couch human experience in all this gender/identity theory and its secret vocabulary. Eh.
I know I’m the worst bitch on the planet, but if anybody had to have a trans-gender boy-to-girl child, I’m thrilled it was Warren Beatty!! The guy was Mr. Stud King of Hollywood for about a thousand years before he ruined Annette Benning’s career by marrying her.
Yes indeedy, Lil’ Stevie!
Chaz Bono’s , honest Trans-Male views are too “rich” & “white,” sez the very brilliant, (& very pale) spawn of Hollywood royalty Annette and Warren.
Now we know to look towards all the poorer, ethnic male cultures throughout the world to understand what a deeply rooted feminist sensibility is like.
Gawd, this kid IS genuis!!!