Showing posts with label men. Show all posts
Showing posts with label men. Show all posts

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Skirts Unfair Prejudice against Transsexuals



Una, Lady Troubridge (1924) by Romaine Brooks. Androgynous appearance, don't you think? 

According to the UK government’s Equality and Human Rights Commission, requiring skirts for girls for school uniform attire is illegal. They argue that such a policy is discrimination against female-to-male transsexuals.

report was published which stated “requiring pupils to wear gender-specific clothes is potentially unlawful…pupils born female with gender dysphoria experienced great discomfort being forced to wear stereotypical girls’ clothes—for example, a skirt.”

The Commission then proceeded to imply that schools which refuse to discontinue “discriminatory” uniforms may face “costly legal action” when the guideline becomes active.

The guidelines in question also extend rights formerly reserved for individuals diagnosed with gender identity disorders to all whom claim the symptoms, “regardless of whether or not they intend to undergo, are undergoing or have undergone gender reassignment.”
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Dated, I know. But I thought it was an interesting read because of various reasons:

  • Why are skirts being banned altogether? Can't we just let them decide whether or not they want to wear skirts? No need to resort to such drastic matters.
  • On the other hand, what about boys who consider themselves females trapped in male bodies? Will skirts be provided for them?
  • Doesn't extending rights previously reserved for those diagnosed with gender identity disorders to all who claim the signs encourage people who want attention to "cry wolf"?
-Jeremy Fu

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Bells & Whistles


Watch Me!



For one of my film classes a year ago, I had to make a film using appropriated footage from the internet. This assignment got me interested in footage of old advertisements from the 50's-70's.
I find it remarkable how, from a random collection of old t.v. commercials, each one manages to incorporate themes of:

women needing to please their men,

women who cannot get out of tough situations without the help of a man,

women as alluring prizes (so if men buy the product, they get the prize (the woman)), etc.

These are great to watch not only for their entertainment value but also for the portrait of gender inequality they paint.