Trans Forming Media PSA Against TOTWK & Transphobia

Pictures montage from April 6th Protest @ Tribeca Cinemas to demand Tribeca Film Festival remove "Ticked Off Tra**ies With Knives" (other photos are also included) The movie makes light of violence and rape against trans women, exploits the high-profile murder of teenager Angie Zapata, includes the pejorative term trannies in its title, inaccurately depicts trans womens identities as drag queen performers and caricatures and misrepresents the lives of an extremely disenfranchised group who suffer violence at alarming rates.

SMILING IN THE FACE OF OPPRESSION!

Some Luna-tics (supporters of Luna’s film “TOTWK”) are attacking the demonstration that was held on April 6th in front of Tribeca Cinemas to protest the film by saying that our “smiles” and “laughter” was “proof” that we “didn’t know what we were protesting about”. Yes, we the protesters were "smiling and laughing". Sorry if we are not the "tortured souls" the media depicts us as. I am full of joy, faith and life. All the people there were full of life! And the quality of our lives and our pursuit of happiness is worth organizing and mobilizing against films like this one. Being with 30 people in one spot who all believed in trans liberation was reason to celebrate! It was very inspirational for all of us to be taking action for what we believe in our hearts is the right thing to do, and it made us feel good.

Personally, it was very unfolding for me to speaking out against transphobia. I felt like a butterfly coming out of a cocoon, leaving the safe shelters of anonymity behind, taking a risk, and marching with my trans brothers and sisters over obstacles such as defamation and dehumanizing stigma. Fear had always told me not to be too public that I’m a member of an oppressed community, because doors would slam in my face, people would throw stones and some people would distance themselves from me. So when my faith and hope overpowered the fear within me, and I decided that I did want to tell my side of the story, publically, it did cause me to smile. It’s like I had waited my whole life to come out of the cage society had marginalized me into. Standing there with that sign “Our humanity is not a joke” made me feel elated! We were not protesting because we are “bitter, scorned, angry women with nothing better to do”. We were protesting because we see a future where trans people are not depicted as the way they are in “TOTWK”. Since we are the local trans community near Tribeca, we felt a responsibility to the rest of the trans people all over the country to express our collective plight. We protested to draw attention to many issues, and to put pressure on Tribeca, and all film festivals, not to show this film. And we also rallied because we want better representations of trans people in all media. We also don’t want our trans youth, and those after them, to feel like we as a community stood by, with closed mouths, and let cis (non-trans) people make a mockery of our lives without protesting. I reject the role society has given transwomen’s image as a "subhuman, punch line, hyper sexualized, nut case, impersonator". I see thousands of others are rejecting that role too by protesting and boycotting this film.

During the vigil portion of the demonstration our tone of course changed, tears spilled and victims of hate crimes were remembered. We all went around in a circle and said names of LGBT people we knew personally whose lives were cut short due to oppression. The tears that came to my eyes were for seven trans women I knew personally from southern California who died at a young age simply for being themselves: WOMEN of trans experience.

We are NOT advocating "censorship"; we are advocating "anti-defamation protections" and exercising our "freedom of speech". The dignity, humanity, safety and proper education about trans women means more to me than some gay man's "right" to exploit an oppressed community for a few harmful laughs and financial profit. The media is very influential in the well being of people's lives; therefore this toxic film has to be called out for what it is, and what it most certainly is not!

Though this protest is a fight against oppression in which we will partake in the entire way home, it is also a celebration that an whole community is coming together to express our desire for change!

Lourdes Hunter, the only transgender board member of the Brooklyn Community Pride Center, and who gave a powerful speech at the rally, says it best, “SMILE IN THE FACE OF OPPRESSION”. Humanity always wins in the end.

Protest Tomorrow @ Tribeca Center to Combat Transphobia! (press release)

Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET)

Press Release: For immediate release April 4, 2010

“Protest/rally Against Tribeca’s Decision to Premiere Transphobic Film “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives”

What: A protest/rally demanding that Tribeca Film Festival remove the transphobic film “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives (TOTWK)”. Melissa Sklarz (Director of NY Trans Rights Organization),Ashley Love (Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People),Denise Le Claire (Exec. Director of International Foundation of Gender Education) celebrities, elected officials & LGBT activists will be speaking. A candle light vigil for trans victims of hate crimes will also be held.

When/Where: Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 6:30-8:00pm @ Tribeca Cinemas @ 54 Varick Street, NYC

Why: The movie makes light of violence and rape against trans women, exploits the high-profile murder of teenager Angie Zapata, includes the pejorative term “trannies” in its title, inaccurately depicts trans women’s identities as drag queen “performers” and “caricatures” and misrepresents the lives of an extremely disenfranchised group who suffer violence at alarming rates.

Kim Pearson, Executive Director of TransYouth Family Allies, says "Negative and stereotyped media portrayals of transgender people hurt the community because Americans still need more education on transgender issues. The images in this film (TOTWK) make a mockery of their lives. I want more for my child and all transgender people.”

“The transsexual and transgender communities are all too often the victims of violence, marginalization and discrimination as a result of insensitive media depictions like this film, which is offensive, dehumanizing and misogynistic and causes further misunderstanding and harm to an already dangerously oppressed minority group”, states Ashley Love, Organizer of Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET).

MAGNET had a meeting with staff at Tribeca Center on Friday, March 26, educating them about why this film is extremely problematic and dehumanizing. They refused to remove the film or make a statement that they don’t endorse the oppression of transsexual and transgender women, so MAGNET is now organizing a protest/rally, in association with Families United Against Hate, International Foundation For Gender Education, New York Trans Rights Organization, and Remembering Our Dead, to demand that they remove the film, and to draw attention to injustices trans people face in everyday life and in the media. Many trans advocates, trans organizations, women’s groups and allies voiced their concerns to GLAAD, expressing they needed aggressive action. GLAAD issued an uncompromising and strong petition & call to action demanding that Tribeca remove the film: http://www.glaad.org/calltoaction/032510

To support or endorse protest on Tuesday, receive information about issues raised or press questions, or become involved in anti-defamation/media work for the transsexual and transgender communities:
CONTACT: Organizer of MAGNET: Ashley Love- Email: magnet_right_now@yahoo.com

Join the “Boycott TOTWK” Facebook page & find more info/articles on the story: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=103500239687288&ref=mf#!/group.php?gid=106926329329724

For info/articles on issues raised: Ashley Love’s blog: http://www.transformingmedia.blogspot.com/

Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET) is an anti-defamation organization dedicated to educating the media about transsexual and transgender issues, as well as pushing for more authentic and positive portrayals of trans people in the media.

A Step In The Right Direction, But More Steps Needed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 30, 2010

Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET)

Filmmaker Luna says he will remove exploitative use of hate crime victim’s names from trailer of “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives”, but still has more to do.

We are very relieved that LaLuna Entertainment is planning to remove the references to specific trans women that have been murdered from its' most recent trailer for the film "Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives", a film which was directed and written by Israel Luna. Due to protests from the trans community, LaLuna Entertainment responded to one of their requests, which was not to exploit real life victims of hate crimes.

We note this gesture by the film makers, and hope that they will additionally address the offensive portions of the promotional materials of this film and remove any offensive material that has already been released. We would also like to emphasize that there remain the plethora of offensive, stigmatizing and inaccurate representations in the film itself that have not as of yet been rectified. We are asking that LaLuna Entertainment make every effort to work with the transsexual and transgender communities to help raise awareness of the rampant violence against trans women, and the poor media portrayals that they must struggle with in this day.

We therefore ask LaLuna Entertainment to amend all trailers for this film to include an acknowledgement that this film is intended for entertainment purposes only, and intentionally portrays stereotypes of transsexual and transgender people for the sake of humor and satire. These fictional personalities should not be confused as a portrayal of how transgender people live their lives or interact socially.We would also encourage such a statement be made prior to each screening of the film.

Though we are grateful that one of the numerous concerns many in the trans community have with this film will be edited, we still maintain that this film's message and title continue to be very problematic, transphobic and misogynistic. We hope that those at LaLuna Entertainment will educate their staff on the severe oppression trans people face, and why representations such as the one in the film only reinforce misunderstanding which leads to prejudice.

Article on Movieline.com that broke story: http://www.movieline.com/2010/03/after-criticism-from-glaad-and-others-ticked-off-trannies-director-plans-trailer-change.php

CONTACT: Ashley Love – Organizer of MAGNET- EMAIL: magnet_right_now@yahoo.com

Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET) is an anti-defamation organization dedicated to educating the media about transsexual and transgender issues, as well as pushing for more authentic and positive portrayals of trans people in the media.

MAGNET, Familes Against Hate and Intl. Foundation For Gender Education will be on radio tonight protesting "Ticked Off Tra#%ies With Knives"

Hey guys! I will be on the radio discussing why we are boycotting "Ticked Off Tra@#ies With Knives" tonight, about the protest on Tuesday, and other organizations will be speaking out aginst the film tonight too! See the info below!- Ashley

LIVE! on TransFM - Sunday, March 28, 2010
http://www.transfm.squarespace.com/

5:00 - 8:00 PM EDT Sodium Pentothal SundayJoin Ethan As he streams your favorite tunes.You can contact Ethan to say hello by either sending himan email to http://us.mc573.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Radicalguy@gmail.com or simply give him a buzz at (978) 518-1835.

The Sodium Pentothal Sunday Talk Show
8:00 PM EDT Guest: - Michelle Bruce is a transgender women running for City council in Riverdale, GA.. Michelle has a list of accomplishments which she achieved from when she was voted into office in 2004. Michelle lost her seat and is now armed with the information that she feels is needed to win that seat back.
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8:45 PM EDT Guests: - Ashley Love from Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People. (MAGNET) will be discussing the Protest/rally Against Tribeca’s Decision to Premiere Transphobic Film “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives.”
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9:30 PM EDT - Marti Abernathey discusses how she was kicked off Facebook and why and which organization helped in her return.
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10:30 PM EDT - Gabi Clayton, Board Chair for the national organization, Families United Against Hate and their support for the Protest/rally Against Tribeca’s Decision to Premiere Transphobic Film “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives.”
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11:15 PM EDT - Denise Leclair, Executive Director for the International Foundation for Gender Education expresses IFGE's support for the Protest/rally Against Tribeca’s Decision to Premiere Transphobic Film “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives.”Ethan St.PierreFounder and CreatorTransFM International Broadcasting Networkhttp://www.transfm.squarespace.com/

"Yes, I Saw It And I Wish I Hadn't"

There seems to be some concern about whether or not I have seen the appalling film TOTWK. I in fact did see the entire film, though I wish I hadn’t. It made me feel violated, depressed, dehumanized and disappointed. As a media specialist, and organizer of a trans anti-defamation group, Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET), I have received many films from film festivals and film makers that are trans specific. However, director Israel Luna failed to truly enroll the trans community in his project. Even the Dallas trans community protested the film before it was finished being made, and their efforts, and Luna’s rejection of their plight, is documented.

He failed to give activists and leaders in the trans community his problematic film prior to this controversy - he knew from many warnings that it would not be well received by many trans people. As a person with many media/entertainment industry contacts, I was able to view the film through an associate. This associate asked I not have their name released, for fear of the "wrath of Luna and the 'ticked off' supporters of his transohobic film”.

The false accusation against me, and an affect of sensation is just as false as the story Luna's troops causing bloggers and Tribeca Film Festival to spread the notion of GLAAD being involved in a "TransGate" story, which was discredited in GLAAD’s update to their petition: http://www.glaad.org/calltoaction/032510. These are clever, yet dishonest, attempts to take attention off the issue: that this film is very toxic to the images of trans people and their loved ones. Even for those protesters who have not seen the entire film as GLAAD, I, and many others have, their protests are just as warranted.

The trailer, which mentioned real life slain trans people, the offensive title and the making humor of the rape and violence against trans women are also severally problematic. GLAAD's thorough analysis and petition, and the dignity, safety and human rights for transsexual and transgender children, adults and their families, is reason enough to boycott this exploitation that has somehow been called "art" (not sure how exploiting the real life brutal murder of a teenage girl is “art”).

When GLAAD went up in arms when Grey Anatomy's star TR Knight was called a "fa*ot", the gay men’s community was quick to give GLAAD two thumbs up. When GLAAD went up in arms when trans women were called "tra*#ies", some in the gay men's community gave GLAAD two thumbs down?! Please explain the logic in that!? Attacking GLAAD, myself, and the thousands of people who are protesting this film, will not make the film anything other then what it is: a cinematic hate crime.

I will leave you with the bottom line which is expressed so well by my friend Kim Pearson, Executive Director of TransYouth Family Allies: "Negative and stereotyped media portrayals of transgender people hurt the community because Americans still need more education on transgender issues. The images in this film (TOTWK) make a mockery of their lives. I want more for my child and all transgender people.”

Why are men hating on GLAAD for opposing "Ticked Off Trannies With Knives?" and defending transwomen?

The Tribeca Film Festival has chosen to premiere the controversial and transphobic film, “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives” on April 23rd, 2010 in New York City. I have seen the entire film, and as a woman, was horrified by the misogyny and sexism expressed in this film. As a trans person, I was appalled at how the rape and violence against transwomen was made to be "humorous". As a human being, I was disgusted that a group of dangerously oppressed minorities were the subject of a CINEMATIC HATE CRIME! I find it amazing that only gay men are jumping to the defense of the film, as if transwomen are "mentally disturbed sex objects" that should be grateful for this depiction. I have nothing against drag queens, but to imply transwomen are really “gay men with wigs on” is extremely invalidating of their identities/womanhood. Whats wrong with GLAAD defending the dignity of women who are so often helpless, disenfranchised and abused in everyday life, and in the media?! Remember, trans people are also worthy of love and respect, they are more than just the "clowns and makeup" the media portrays them to be. I say shame on the director Israel Luna for exploiting transwomen and spreading fear, ignorance and hate. Attacking the divine feminine and trying to degrade women is getting old. How long did people think transwomen were going to allow all these mentally violent and abusive images block their pursuit of happiness? Just like transwomen hit the breaking point in 1969 and started Stonewall, this film is the breaking point of the trans community NOT accepting this inhumane defamation, and we are not going to be silent and endure this cruel treatment any longer!

The trailer for the film starts off mentioning the real life murder of transgender woman Angie Zapata, who was brutally murdered in a hate crime due to her gender identity. She became a martyr to millions of LGBT Americans, yet this film makes humor of “rape and violence” against transwomen. We find this exploitative trivializing of such a tragic crime to be severely abusive to Angie Zapata’s family, other families of murdered trans people, and to all women and trans people.

The title of the film is degrading to transwomen and protested by many in the trans community. The term “tranny” is a derogatory term that is used to mock the authenticity of transsexual and transgender people, and gives the impression that trans people are harlequins, subhuman, invalid in their identities, jokes, etc. Many LGBT organizations protest the use of this word, including anti-defamation groups such as GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates Against Defamation) and MAGNET (Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People).

Personally, I know transwomen who have been murdered in hate crimes, and when I saw this film I was crying uncontrollably. I have also met Angie Zapata's family, and they are such good hearted people. It saddens me to think of how they may be feeling to know that the director of this trash, Israel Luna, is using their daughter and sister to promote the film. This film is going to create long lasting harm on the trans community. This is literally a matter of life or death.

Could you imagine if a film came out called "Ticked Off Fagots With Pink Pistols" that mocked Matthew Shepard's Death, and expressed gay men just want to get married to get tax breaks, but still have sex with multiple partners, and jokingly alluded to gay men being pedophiles? The whole LGBT community would be up in arms! WE DEMAND THE SAME PROTECTIONS THE GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITY RECEIVES! Crumbs are no longer acceptable. We need the gay and lesbian community, who have more access and influence in the media then we do, to stand with GLAAD and the trans community on this protest and call to action

We demand that Tribeca Film Festival not screen “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives”

Please sign the community's petition to have this film removed from the Tribeca Film Festival: http://www.change.org/glaad/petitions/view/demand_that_ticked-off_trannies_with_knives_be_pulled_from_tribeca_film_festival_line-up

Please come protest next Tuesday at Tribeca Cinema: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=103500239687288&ref=mf

Please join the online "Boycott" page and join the discussion: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1321716015326#!/group.php?gid=106926329329724&ref=mf