Teena Brandon

[BishopIoan]

I watched "Notorious" today, a segment on Teena Brandon. As a transman, I was angered by the judgmental, stressing her criminal problems. Of course the two women she lived with were judgemental making snide comments about him, related to his transgender status. I am not at all excusing her crimes, but I really get so tired when the trans part of the story is treated as sensational and mockery, no matter how subtle it is.

This man ended up raped, sodomized and murdered, but the whole thrust of this programme is that he deserved everything that happened because he mssqueraded as a man.

How can ANYONE LGBT live honestly in a place like Nebraska? Or the part of the midwest that my spouse and I live in?

Sometimes the gay-lesbo-and transphobia and hatred just makes me get to the point where I stay in the house.

[labguy22]

I have a very close gay, male friend who was raped by no less than a group of "friends" during a house party several years ago. He believes this is when he became infected with the HIV virus. What blew my mind was his parents response which was something like: well if you go out dressing like a prostitute, you got what was coming to you.
I was close to his parents, and I couldn't believe that response; they had always been so supportive of him. Possibly it was just the anger at the situation talking, but nobody ever "deserves" rape.

[antiochian]

I remember watching "Boys Don't Cry." What a heart-wrenching story. May Brandon rest in peace.

[RaymondCharlesWoollcombe]

Yeah i watched "Boys Dont Cry" it really just show's what a messed up world we really do live in.
I'm not saying that Teena Brandon didnt do some bad things but we all really need a wake up call to stop all this madness thats going on in this day and age.

ITS CRAZY!!!

Peace and Love
Raymond.....

[Nyshana]

Nick, I had a similar thing happen to a friend - her parents' response was "Well, that's what you get for drinking". Thankfully she didn't get infected with anything, or pregnant; but she did spend the next months in a mental ward - it was horrendous. I feel for you and your friend!

I haven't seen the TV program/film that's being referenced - but yeah, I've always wondered how anyone who isn't Joe Average White Guy can live in that part of the US... and from what I know from friends who live there, it seems to be a case of "Well what else can I do?". On the other hand, it's possible for a group of people - a village, a church, or even just a family - anywhere to make an LGBT person's life hell. Also, I think that homophobia is probably just as rampant elsewhere, but maybe not so vocal - I know round here, no trans would go out alone; they'd get lynched by chavs. I have a friend who carries a gun in Boston (US) because if he didn't he believes he'd get attacked outside gay bars.