Letters: Transgender Is Not A Noun

Transgender Is Not A Noun

Alibi
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Greetings! I am writing in response to the recent Best of Burque issue of the Alibi. I was happy to see that Adrien Lawyer won the much-deserved title of Best LGBT Leader for his extensive work on behalf of the trans community. However, I was disturbed by the language used in this section, which twice used the term “transgenders” as a noun to refer to trans people. This is an incorrect usage and is considered offensive. Transgender is an adjective that describes a human being. Some appropriate terms to refer to trans people as a group include transgender people and the trans community. As is explained in GLAAD Media Reference Guide under Terms to Avoid:

Problematic: "transgenders," "a transgender"

Preferred:
transgender people, a transgender person

Transgender should be used as an adjective, not as a noun. Do not say, "Tony is a transgender," or "The parade included many transgenders." Instead say, "Tony is a transgender man," or "The parade included many transgender people."

Please use language that reflects the way we describe ourselves.

Letters should be sent with the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number via email to letters@alibi.com. They can also be faxed to (505) 256-9651. Letters may be edited for length and clarity, and may be published in any medium; we regret that owing to the volume of correspondence we cannot reply to every letter. Word count limit for letters is 300 words.

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