Transgender comic artists

Ghastly · Post by **Ghastly** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 8:10 am

A discussion on gender issues in comics over at Comixpedia, made me raise the question "where is the transgender community's artists"? It seemed to me that those of us dealing the most with transgender issues in comics, wether seriously or humourously are not actually transgendered persons. Yet given the very reader-spawned-creators of webcomics (people read webcomics, say I can do that, then create webcomics) it seems inconceivable to me that there are no transgender webcomic artists readily popping into mind the way there would be if someone said "name five female webcomic artists".

I know for fact that transgenders read webcomics, hundreds of e-mails over years not to mention forum regulars are proof of that. Some of them must have made the leap from reader to creator but who and where?

Of course then I realized I've got an excellent source of information on transgender issues right here on my forum.

Anyone have any input?

CJBurgandy · Post by **CJBurgandy** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 8:35 am

actually, I'm not sure, but I do believe there is a popular keenspace artist who is transgendered who writes about a transgender. (I could be wrong though)

But either way, I know that there are transgendered artists on Keenspace, I just don't think they're very vocal about it. From teaching self eestem classes at GLBT seminars locally, I've learned that there are many transgendered and intersexed people who are really shy when it comes to talking about themselves.

My other bit of input is I think that the people who are transgendered artist, probably identify themselves as their inner gender instead of saying MTF or FTM.

Ghastly · Post by **Ghastly** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:01 am

cjburgandy wrote:actually, I'm not sure, but I do believe there is a popular keenspace artist who is transgendered who writes about a transgender. (I could be wrong though)

Appearently that would be Erin Lindsey of Venus Envy. I didn't know she was actually transgender though.

My other bit of input is I think that the people who are transgendered artist, probably identify themselves as their inner gender instead of saying MTF or FTM.

Indeed, especially if they simply wish to be afforded the peace granted people fortunate enough to be born with gender and sex matched (I had accidently typed that as "afforded the piece" and had to go back and fix it although on another level it still worked).

Peaches · Post by **Peaches** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:10 am

Ghastly wrote:
cjburgandy wrote:actually, I'm not sure, but I do believe there is a popular keenspace artist who is transgendered who writes about a transgender. (I could be wrong though)
Appearently that would be Erin Lindsey of Venus Envy. I didn't know she was actually transgender though.

How could you people forget her? Don't make me go into a murderous fanboy rage. Second to last panel, the political nature of the strip is a coincidence, just the only one I could remember off the top of my head.

Also, there's Closetspace, which also deals with kinky stuff like cross dressing and bondage, as well as retro 80's stuff. Tons of fun for the whole family.

And Venus Envy has some others on the links page. I don't know how many are by trans artists, though.

Whew, I kinda went off on a rant there, didn't I? Uh... I'll go read that topic on the "b'cake" label now...

Ghastly · Post by **Ghastly** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:22 am

I didn't forget her. I just didn't know that she, herself, was transgender.

LindaH · Post by **LindaH** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:37 am

cjburgandy wrote:From teaching self eestem classes at GLBT seminars locally, I've learned that there are many transgendered and intersexed people who are really shy when it comes to talking about themselves.

My other bit of input is I think that the people who are transgendered artist, probably identify themselves as their inner gender instead of saying MTF or FTM.

i think this really nailed it.

lets face it, we TS spend between two and five years of living hell to go through with it, and for many it isnt a very good time so when done they want to forget it. forget all the relatives that told us to go die and rot in herll, the friends that left, the jobs we lost etc. not forgetting all the crap we get from people on the street.

sure the net is a safe place to say "hey i am transexual" but many want to forget it.

i think that for myself it has been a good time, not many of my relatives have turned their backs on me, not many friends. sure i lost a job, but got another. the few comments i get i shrug of. so that is why i cant admit it. i am TS. i dont feel there is a taint that goes with the title. sure when i am done i probably wont be so vocal about it LOL.

but on the whole during the transition most of us feel bad so wont do much comics then, and afterwards most want to forget and live their new life. so a some of the men and women that do comics could well be post of TS but wont tell you.

myself i dont do comics because i cant draw for the life of me. not even a stick figure LOL

Peaches · Post by **Peaches** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:46 am

Ghastly wrote:I didn't forget her. I just didn't know that she, herself, was transgender.

What? But I... and you...

! or...

...

Ima go re-read the "b'cake" thread...

Ghastly · Post by **Ghastly** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:57 am

LindaH wrote: lets face it, we TS spend between two and five years of living hell to go through with it, and for many it isnt a very good time so when done they want to forget it. forget all the relatives that told us to go die and rot in herll, the friends that left, the jobs we lost etc. not forgetting all the crap we get from people on the street.

Not to mention nothing about the crap faced from within the transgendered community itself. I've heard many a horror story from friends who have had their lives turned into mini-hells from the very communities they hoped to seek support from only to be blasted because they wouldn't tow a party line. Given that there's more than a simple social stigma attached to transgender issues I can easily see why it would be that many would not wish to openly identify with that.

LindaH · Post by **LindaH** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:25 am

absolutely correct Ghastly! sadly we are in general not good at taking care of our own. probably because each of us is so wrapped up in our own pains.

also from our "relatives" in the GLB community we often get flakk too. many lesbians wont talk to those of us that are MTF lessies because we "aint real girls"..

CJBurgandy · Post by **CJBurgandy** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:49 am

I hate the snooty Lesbians. There are ones that are like "If you like the butchy dykes, you're not a real lesbian, because they're too manly to be girls" and the "if you like the MTF you're not a real lesbian for earlier said reason" those are the girls that usually hate the bis as well. Some Lesbians are just over the top bitches like that. I, personally, wouldn't mind dating a MTF, they're still a woman, they're just a little different than other women, but not by much.

But then at the same time, I wouldn't date a FTM, for the same reason. I think they're truely men.

</rant>

Ghastly · Post by **Ghastly** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:51 am

LindaH wrote:absolutely correct Ghastly! sadly we are in general not good at taking care of our own. probably because each of us is so wrapped up in our own pains.

Don't feel too bad. It happens with every group. Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, trans, furries, left, right, christian, hindu, you name it. As soon as people stop identifying themselves as individuals and start identifying themselves instead as political entities you get problems.

When you relinquish your individuality like that then the whole world becomes an "US vs THEM" situation and anyone who doesn't tow the party line is definetly not one of US.

Look at the problem it's causing in the US right now. Look how many people voted Republican even though they don't believe in the current ideals of the current incarnation of the Republican party. Why? Because they arn't self actualized enough to be able to recognize themselves as an individual outside the Republican party. They've invested too much of their identity into what they idealized as the Republican party. And the exact same thing is true of the Democratic party too. So many people voted Democratic even though the Democratic party doesn't reflect their own personal ideals. US vs THEM and by golly nobody wants to be a THEM.

People need to stop being afraid of being labled a traitor. The only way you can be a traitor is if you're a traitor to your own ideals. If you sell your own principles out simply to tow the party line then you've betrayed yourself.

Of course persicuited groups, like gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders are the most at risk because they've got it the hardest on their own. Their communities came together out of the neccessity for protection against a society that actively persecuited them. There's strength and safety in numbers. It's what protects herd animals and fish that school. It's also what allows preditors to take down single animals larger than themselves. But with this you run the risk of losing yourself completely.

If you identify yourself as "I am gay" and not as "I am a person who is gay" and are part of a community that tells you what "gay" is then you run the risk of having your individuality hijacked to serve someone else's political ends, usually someone who is secretly too insecure to be able to actualize themselves as an individual to begin with.

Dangerous things communites can be because they can turn toxic. That's why it's always so important to be true to yourself. You never know when your community will decide you're a THEM.

But communities are great too. This is a community right here built around this little comic. I think what makes a community great and keeps it that way is the recognition and respect that it is made up of idividuals who are all unique and differing. A community is really only as strong as its diversity.

Squidflakes · Post by **Squidflakes** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:56 am

Say it! Say it loud!

I'M GHASTLY AND PROUD!

CJBurgandy · Post by **CJBurgandy** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:58 am

I can only hope to be as wise as Ghastly is when I get to be his age.

Ghastly · Post by **Ghastly** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:31 am

cjburgandy wrote:"if you like the MTF you're not a real lesbian for earlier said reason"

One of the most common complaints I've heard against MTF transgenders from women, gay and straight is they don't like them because they're "too feminine". This one lesbian girl I knew went on a big diatrab once about how she'd never date a MTF and can't stand them because they're "too feminine and not like real girls".

It comes down to an US vs THEM again. She's got her mind wrapped around what makes a real girl and if you fall outside it then you're not real.

Dollars to doughnuts her resentment against MTFs as being "too feminine" to be "real" is fueled by her own insecurities about her own gender identity. She felt threatened by the femininity of MTFs because they made her reflect upon what she preceived to be a lack of feminine traits in herself and this perception made her feel less female. She's wrapped herself up too much in the cause of being female and simply isn't allowing herlself to be actualized as an individual who is female.

There's no quota of feminity that must be met but not exceeded to be female. You're female if you are female, if that is what's inside your head. You can be a girly female, a boyish female, and androgenous female. Feminine, masculine, they're adjects that's all. Male, female is gender, feminine, masuline is trait. You can be 100% butch and still 100% female. You can be 100% sissy and still be 100% male.

Peaches · Post by **Peaches** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 3:13 pm

cjburgandy wrote:There are ones that are like "If you like the butchy dykes, you're not a real lesbian, because they're too manly to be girls" ...

I like girls who are a bit tomboyish. I mean, I'm intimidated by very powerful masculine types of people in general, but a little butchiness doesn't hurt. I think it shows a kind of strength.

Once again, Ghastly proves his wisdom. Teach us, O great one.

Ghastly · Post by **Ghastly** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 3:30 pm

Today's words of wisdom come from my daughter.

CJBurgandy · Post by **CJBurgandy** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 4:01 pm

Peaches wrote:
cjburgandy wrote:There are ones that are like "If you like the butchy dykes, you're not a real lesbian, because they're too manly to be girls" ...
I like girls who are a bit tomboyish. I mean, I'm intimidated by very powerful masculine types of people in general, but a little butchiness doesn't hurt. I think it shows a kind of strength.

Once again, Ghastly proves his wisdom. Teach us, O great one.

so do I peaches. But there truely are idiots out there who not only believe that, but preach it to other lesbians at the bars... it's stupid.

and Ghastly... you're daughter is so cuuuuuute! kids are so funny some times.

Infinity-Iz-Blue · Post by **Infinity-Iz-Blue** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 4:12 pm

Why the hell can't people in general say to themselves "Hey, I'm a Human being, citizen of Earth." and leave it at that? Why? Even I myself, I must admit, have an Us and a THEM. I am ashamed, but I can't bridge my mental division between myself (the long-haired, biker-born slightly anarchist hippy type) and a bank manager.

Tha_Pig · Post by **Tha_Pig** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 4:15 pm

That's why I don't belong to anything. I'm a group of one. An individualist.

Most people looking up for a "community" or "group" for identity is labeling himself with a stereotype.

RantinAn · Post by **RantinAn** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 4:38 pm

*hugs all round*

And that's WHY we stay here. We're a comunity of weird wacky individuals prepared to accept each other within reason.

Speeking as the resident psychotic transgendered lesbian troll, 99% of all of you rock like elvis on barbituates and whiz fizz!