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Monday, April 2, 2012

hmmmm....

I've mentioned before that I spent my formative years in what, at the time, was THE "sex change capitol of the world".  My hometown no longer bears that distinction, but here in Colorado, it's still what it is best known for. 

I'm not sure what the overall perception of the place is, but sometimes it seems like many expect to go there and see a bunch of really big, broad-shouldered people in dresses and bad make-up.  I can say, having lived there during its heyday, most of us residents never even noticed.

Sure, there were the ones whose work required that they notice - the pioneering surgeon himself and others of the hospital staff.  Then there were the peripherals, like the floral shops and hotels.  My last four years living there, I worked at a hotel, the last two of which, I was a guest associate (desk clerk).

It was there that I met a few patients, and I can say that, had they not told me, I would have not known.  In fact, I'm sure I met many others who didn't feel a need to mention it, and I never knew.

I remember one in particular, who came wafting in through the front doors, just basking in the fact that she had arrived.

"GAWD, I've waited three years to be here!", she announced as she approached the desk.

Now, this was a small coal mining town with about five Catholic churches and about thirty bars.  I was thinking, "She's waited three years to be here??"  Then she explained.  OH, of course.

Last week I came upon this story about Jenna Talackova who was ejected from the Miss Universe Canada Pageant because she was born a boy.  Somebody did some pretty decent surgery.

There are, of course, opinions on both sides.  Is she really a woman?  Should she be allowed to compete? 

To me, I say yes, she's a woman, no matter what her chromosomal make up.  Of those few that I've met, I can say that many of them would probably have committed suicide or something similar if not for their surgeries.  It's definitely not something that's taken lightly.

Should she be allowed to compete?  Magnum and I were discussing it because I said I felt that those against her competing had valid arguments. 

"She's got less fatty tissue.  She doesn't have the cyclic bloating-water retention-skin eruptions.  In a competition based on physical beauty, this unlevels the playing field", I intelligently laid out.

"Ah, let her compete", he said, "She looks good, let her go for it"

Maybe he's right.  I don't give much attention to beauty pageants anyway, so it's not worth fretting over.  But if nothing else, she's getting some good press.

Thoughts? 
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13 comments:

ShadowRun300 said...

That's a tough one. I don't follow the pageants either, and I see your point about dealing with bloating and other female issues. I guess I'm wondering, do any of the "true" female contestants have reconstructed parts? Enhancements? If cosmetic "jobs" are allowed with all contestants, then I would think Jenna should be allowed as well. However, if the contestants need to be au naturel, then Jenna wouldn't fit the bill.
Hadn't heard that story til now. Interesting! :)

Judy said...

Well, he/she is quite attractive. But, if this is REALLY what is driving him/her - this pageantry - then I'm at a loss for an opinion. I can't stand those things anyway, and can't for the life of me figure out why we still have them.

Scott said...

That is a tough one, but I have to agree with you. If this "woman" were born a hermaphrodite, I'd agree with your husband. But "she" was born a male. Most of us men would like to have a woman's body, if just for a day, to see what it's like. But most of us don't feel that we should have been born female. This person suffers from gender identity disorder, a psychosexual disorder (like homosexuality, zoophilia, etc.) And, like any other psychosexual disorder, it's tragic for "her"--he could not change his sexual orientation, so he went through the severe pain of "changing" into a "she" by means of surgery. But he's still not a woman, not truly. Think of it this way (though this is a far less serious situation): Most blondes in the U.S. are not natural blondes. If there were a "Miss Blonde" beauty contest, would it be fair for a "bleach-blonde" to compete in it?

And slightly off-color, yet relavent, let me share the only blonde joke I know:

What do you call an upside-down, naked blonde?

A brunette!

Rock Chef said...

Firstly - pageants are taken far too seriously...

Second - I am all for people living as and being accepted as what is best for them and what gives them the best chance of happiness. Born a Catholic but feel that you really should be a Buddhist? Go for it! Born a man but can't live as one? Well the process is certainly not for the feint hearted, but we only get one shot at life (unless you are a Buddhist, of course) so don't let me or anyone else stop you!

D.Shawnte said...

I'm not really in to pageants so I don't really have a solid opinion on this matter. I think these pageants for the most part though, are just more catalysts that make young and impressionable girls question their physical appearances. Pageants are just taken too far and in my opinion, are plain unhealthy for society :s.

I do hope that the world becomes more accepting of others in the future. No one should be discriminated against for any reason.

Abby said...

I know! It's embarrassing/insulting that we even have these pageants. And don't get me started on Toddlers and Tiaras!

Abby said...

Interesting analogy! (says the brunette)

Abby said...

I have no idea what other eligibility standards apply, and you make a good point. I do think there are beauty pageants specifically for transsexuals, though.

Abby said...

I agree, I think pageants are unhealthy - emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Abby said...

Yes, live and let live! and live and live and live... in the case of Buddhists.

terri said...

I'm generally not a big fan of pageants. We spend our lives battling physical stereotypes and teaching our kids that it's what's on the inside, not the outside that matters. And then we have national and international competitions based on physical perfection?

I guess it doesn't matter so much to me that a transsexual wants to compete. It bothers me that any of them are competing. So if they're going to anyway, let her compete.

agg79 said...

I never had much patience for the whole beauty pageant shtick. Being sort of an ugly duckling, I always felt these were just another show for the "beautiful people" that only a select few people can participate and the rest of us just have to watch from the sidelines. Now a good chili cook off? I'm down with that.

And I'd agree with Magnum. If she meets the basic requirements (original or modified), let her participate. Besides, I hear tell that contests can be rather brutal.

Anita said...

Ooooo... Interesting topic... as all your topics are. :)

Anyway, I'm not a pageant girl either. I don't think we (females) are specifically created for entertainment, but we certainly do our share of it. I mean, how else can a motorcycle be sold without a half naked woman sitting on it? Or how can the Cowboys win the game without the cheerleaders.

Okay, so it sounds like I'm trying to take all the "fun" out of life... I'm not... I'm used to it, however, I can live without pageants, etc.

So, let the guy-girl compete. Life is short. And, especially, let the little guy-girl join the Brownies (Girl Scouts.)