Jezebel 
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New York, 7:44 PM
Sat Dec 19
48 posts in the last 24 hours
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@CollegeBookworm: I think that to a certain degree it also diminishes what someone like Katelynn has accomplished in their transition to use that label.
Granted that there are some people that might want that label, that want an ambiguous gender identity, but if you uproot part of your identity and muster up the courage to do that in the face of society and family then frankly people should respect that and treat you like you ask to be treated.
I want to analogize it to becoming an American citizen. It's not supposed to matter where you were from before, once you pass that test and take that oath, you're an American not a transGeorgian person. It's not a perfect analogy, but I think it carries my meaning.
04/02/09
Although I do think that Katelynn did not think she could be on Real World and have her transgendered status remain a secret. Obvious, MTV cast her because of her background, not in spite of. My problem with all of this is that even if we, the viewers, were going to find out inevitably, it was Katelynn's choice how her housemates would find out. No one should infringe on her decisions of how to inform people of her gender identity.
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I wouldn't expect anything remotely intelligent from Maria Menounos. They always hire the women least capable of forming coherent sentences to host these reunion shows.
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you have no idea how many times i wished they had casted another coral this season.
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Yeah, in sum: I wasn't a fan of anyone this season. Except for Baya...the 40 seconds that we saw of her.
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Also
"Outing"
Trans people have a huge range of ways that we navigate the world, based on preference and necessity. Transphobia functions very differently than homophobia; being "out" is not necessarily desirable or possible for us. Being a trans ally means supporting people in being more safe and healthy - which may mean anything between letting everyone they meet know they are Trans, to keeping their gender history entirely confidential. Its crucial to support people in being as "out", or not, as they need to be. There are many situations in which being "out" could have serious negative repercussions; Transpeople are killed every year just because other people find out they are Trans. Revealing someone's Trans status could cost them a job, a relationship, or their physical safety. Many Transpeople are perceived 100% of the time as their preferred gender, and no one would ever suspect they had been through a gender transition at some point. Some of these folks prefer never to be "out" as trans and, in fact, may not even consider themselves "Trans." This is a completely valid choice among the huge spectrum of gender diversity. If you know someone whose Trans experience is completely private, respect them by honouring that privacy. Trans 101
04/02/09
Of course, it's NOT ok to "out" someone who's told you in confidence something they are not ready to share with the world. But if you are "out," I've never heard of needing to announce one by one to everyone you meet your sexual/gender identity.
These are the kind of things that are spread through the grapevine:
"Hey, do you know if Katelynn's transgender?" "Oh yeah, she told me she is."
"Damn, JD's hot." "Oh girl, you are barking up the wrong tree, he's gay."
This stuff just comes up. I actually don't know anyone who is transgender, but I don't think any of my gay friends formally announced it to me. They were out and I met them and either someone told me or it became clear through context.
Maybe with Katelynn it's different - because she isn't looking to be seen as "transgender" she is looking to be seen as "female" - so her status is closer to a "secret" than is JD's homosexuality.
Eh, maybe that's the argument for *someone*, but I'm not sure it really holds up for Katelynn because she clearly identifies strongly with the transgender community. I mean, she came on the show to be their face and got involved in an LGBT group while on the show. Her being transgender is not a secret in how she lives her life. She's "out," why the personalized announcement? Same with JD.
Sorry this is a little ramble-y....
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I thought it was obnoxious how all the guys in the house felt they were owed her story. Wtf business is it of theirs unless she's trying to bone them?
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