Monday, March 30, 2009
The History of My Life Described Through the Humble Shoe
From the first word - shoela - every kind of shoe was amassed: childhood fascination with cherry red paved its way for blue suede, stubbornly resisted white sandal and moved on to black stiletto. The gang of big boots - every imaginable colour - shared their space with geeky trainer, tried not to step on the toes of younger school shoe sister and made way for elderly slipper.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
It ain't clever and it ain't funny
'Moving Wallpaper' - A British 'Comedy' (ITV) and its nasty attitude towards trans people.
Here's a synopsis of the episode in question:
"Series 2 - Renaissance
Jonathan panics about the opening scene and accidentally ends up hiring a transsexual writer.
In-Depth Episode Synopsis
Warning: the below synopsis may contain spoilers
Production on Renaissance is in full swing, but Jonathan isn't convinced the big opening scene has the wow factor Renaissance needs. Panicking about the show's sci-fi credentials, and desperate to re-write before Nancy finds out, he hires a new, experienced writer who proves to be more of a handful than he'd bargained for, meaning Georgina, the new writer, is actually a transsexual named George... with hairy hands.
The team is naturally furious they haven't been consulted about the new member of staff and when they learn that 'Georgina' is being paid more than them, Gillian leads a full-on writers' strike, bringing the production and Jonathan to their knees.
Increasingly annoyed by Georgina's outrageous demands Jonathan reaches breaking point and decides to sack her. Running short on time and with production at a stand still, will Jonathan manage to make amends with his writers and find his big opening scene to satisfy Nancy?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's my response to the production team:
Channel: ITV 1 (Channel 3)
Programme: "Moving Wallpaper"
Date/Time 20/03/09 21.00-21.30
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to draw your attention to the unacceptable and offensive material contained in the Friday night episode of 'Moving Wallpaper' (full details above) and, in particular, its abusive and insulting portrayal of a transsexual person.
This programme made gratuitous use of a transsexual character as an object of derision. "Georgina" joins a team of script-writers and is made to feel unwelcome as the butt of their "jokes". The latter included but were not limited to:
Referring to her as "George" and using male pronouns in reference to her; calling her forthcoming gender reassignment surgery a "knock-through"; threatening to "strangle him" by the Adam's apple, "if she/he still has one"; staff going on strike when Georgina receives a higher rate of pay due to her excellent work; saying she has stubble; calling her "it"; claiming to be scared by her "man hands"; saying she is a man in a frock; writing "vaginoplasty" on her calendar; consistently undermining her right to be part of the writing team and, finally, forcing her to leave by omitting to sign her contract.
The fact that this sort of experience is, sadly, one that is frequently experienced by transsexual people makes this lamentable attempt at humour so nasty. I am of the opinion that this character was created simply as a way to get a cheap laugh; she serves no other purpose than as a focus of the others' disgust and cruelty. Had a similar script been employed to poke fun at another minority it would never have been allowed to air. It is dreadful that transsexual people, myself included, have worked so hard for fair representation in the media only to see such degrading and nasty portrayals of this kind. I fear that others watching may assume that it is acceptable to behave like this towards a trans employee or colleague when bullying of this kind is, in fact, illegal.
I would like to see a public apology issued and evidence of a commitment to start taking seriously the reality of harassment, discrimination and violence directed towards trans people in the UK (and worldwide).
Yours faithfully,
Dr Acorn Tree
Co-Director, Acorn: Gender Equality Education
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Show your support by joining the Facebook Group -
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=77375160169&ref=mf
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Complain to ITV about this programme -
viewerservices@itv.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's a synopsis of the episode in question:
"Series 2 - Renaissance
Jonathan panics about the opening scene and accidentally ends up hiring a transsexual writer.
In-Depth Episode Synopsis
Warning: the below synopsis may contain spoilers
Production on Renaissance is in full swing, but Jonathan isn't convinced the big opening scene has the wow factor Renaissance needs. Panicking about the show's sci-fi credentials, and desperate to re-write before Nancy finds out, he hires a new, experienced writer who proves to be more of a handful than he'd bargained for, meaning Georgina, the new writer, is actually a transsexual named George... with hairy hands.
The team is naturally furious they haven't been consulted about the new member of staff and when they learn that 'Georgina' is being paid more than them, Gillian leads a full-on writers' strike, bringing the production and Jonathan to their knees.
Increasingly annoyed by Georgina's outrageous demands Jonathan reaches breaking point and decides to sack her. Running short on time and with production at a stand still, will Jonathan manage to make amends with his writers and find his big opening scene to satisfy Nancy?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's my response to the production team:
Channel: ITV 1 (Channel 3)
Programme: "Moving Wallpaper"
Date/Time 20/03/09 21.00-21.30
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to draw your attention to the unacceptable and offensive material contained in the Friday night episode of 'Moving Wallpaper' (full details above) and, in particular, its abusive and insulting portrayal of a transsexual person.
This programme made gratuitous use of a transsexual character as an object of derision. "Georgina" joins a team of script-writers and is made to feel unwelcome as the butt of their "jokes". The latter included but were not limited to:
Referring to her as "George" and using male pronouns in reference to her; calling her forthcoming gender reassignment surgery a "knock-through"; threatening to "strangle him" by the Adam's apple, "if she/he still has one"; staff going on strike when Georgina receives a higher rate of pay due to her excellent work; saying she has stubble; calling her "it"; claiming to be scared by her "man hands"; saying she is a man in a frock; writing "vaginoplasty" on her calendar; consistently undermining her right to be part of the writing team and, finally, forcing her to leave by omitting to sign her contract.
The fact that this sort of experience is, sadly, one that is frequently experienced by transsexual people makes this lamentable attempt at humour so nasty. I am of the opinion that this character was created simply as a way to get a cheap laugh; she serves no other purpose than as a focus of the others' disgust and cruelty. Had a similar script been employed to poke fun at another minority it would never have been allowed to air. It is dreadful that transsexual people, myself included, have worked so hard for fair representation in the media only to see such degrading and nasty portrayals of this kind. I fear that others watching may assume that it is acceptable to behave like this towards a trans employee or colleague when bullying of this kind is, in fact, illegal.
I would like to see a public apology issued and evidence of a commitment to start taking seriously the reality of harassment, discrimination and violence directed towards trans people in the UK (and worldwide).
Yours faithfully,
Dr Acorn Tree
Co-Director, Acorn: Gender Equality Education
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Show your support by joining the Facebook Group -
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=77375160169&ref=mf
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Complain to ITV about this programme -
viewerservices@itv.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Smoking City
Recently, I've been working on a local smoking cessation campaign, helping the people of Smoking City (North-West England) to quit smoking. Like other work I've gotten recently, my route into this job was totally random and I never thought I'd end up doing work like this. In fact, the thought of approaching random people in the street, clipboard in hand, and asking them if they smoke and, if so, would they like help to quit, filled me with dread.
To my relief, the work has been good and dare I say enjoyable. The best bit (okay, money aside) is some of the characters I've met over the last few weeks. Such as:
The Limerick Lady: Always reading for a laugh, she has a limerick up her sleeve and a joke at her lips.
The Skint Mobility Man: Another inhabitant of the shopping precinct, he does his rounds on his mobility scooter, on the back of which hangs a sign reading 'skint'.
The 1 Year Old ASBO: Comes charging towards our stand on his toy truck with Rottweiler strength and determination. Just when I think he's going to come crashing into us, sending the 'no smoking' tins flying, he makes a sudden left turn and careers towards the nearest shop front and stops. Then, with a cheeky glint, he tilts his head backwards and spits onto the carpeted floor of 'Clinton Cards'. Satisfied with himself, he reverses and swaggers back to his parents who laugh at the whole show.
The 'Wanker':
Takes the carbon monoxide test and is told to hold his breath for 15 seconds. He can't. The counter has only been going for 7 seconds but the guy turns blue and he looks like he's on the verge of passing out. A few more seconds pass and he can't hold on anymore. He splutters out the remaining breath and gasps for more air. When he finally gets his breath back he says nonchalantly, 'is that why I can never cum whenever I have a wank?'
The Meat Pie Man: -
Me: 'Hello Sir, do you smoke?'
Him: 'Only meat pies'
Me: 'What? You smoke meat pies?'
Him: 'And Kit Kats. I get meat pies and kit kats confused. Taste the same'
Me: Speechless
Lastly, there was the classic moment when, after holding his breath for 15 seconds for the carbon monoxide text, one man breaths out...but not into the tube!
To my relief, the work has been good and dare I say enjoyable. The best bit (okay, money aside) is some of the characters I've met over the last few weeks. Such as:
The Limerick Lady: Always reading for a laugh, she has a limerick up her sleeve and a joke at her lips.
The Skint Mobility Man: Another inhabitant of the shopping precinct, he does his rounds on his mobility scooter, on the back of which hangs a sign reading 'skint'.
The 1 Year Old ASBO: Comes charging towards our stand on his toy truck with Rottweiler strength and determination. Just when I think he's going to come crashing into us, sending the 'no smoking' tins flying, he makes a sudden left turn and careers towards the nearest shop front and stops. Then, with a cheeky glint, he tilts his head backwards and spits onto the carpeted floor of 'Clinton Cards'. Satisfied with himself, he reverses and swaggers back to his parents who laugh at the whole show.
The 'Wanker':
Takes the carbon monoxide test and is told to hold his breath for 15 seconds. He can't. The counter has only been going for 7 seconds but the guy turns blue and he looks like he's on the verge of passing out. A few more seconds pass and he can't hold on anymore. He splutters out the remaining breath and gasps for more air. When he finally gets his breath back he says nonchalantly, 'is that why I can never cum whenever I have a wank?'
The Meat Pie Man: -
Me: 'Hello Sir, do you smoke?'
Him: 'Only meat pies'
Me: 'What? You smoke meat pies?'
Him: 'And Kit Kats. I get meat pies and kit kats confused. Taste the same'
Me: Speechless
Lastly, there was the classic moment when, after holding his breath for 15 seconds for the carbon monoxide text, one man breaths out...but not into the tube!
Monday, March 2, 2009
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub
The urge to cry is drowned with cracked tiles and the need to flee, but the roots of this weed are buried too deep: I am bound by promise.
And so I remain - still - under the guise of resilience, no time for reticence.
But I am weak.
And so I remain - still - under the guise of resilience, no time for reticence.
But I am weak.
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