Comic Discussion > QUESTIONABLE CONTENT
WCDT Strips 3206 to 3210 (25 to 29 April 2016)
bhtooefr:
--- Quote from: Analogy on 27 Apr 2016, 02:37 ---I think Jeph is mostly interested in writing a human female who happens to be genetically XY, and in writing a world where there's been enough social progress that this isn't a big deal to anyone.
--- End quote ---
While I agree that the focus of her character isn't on her being trans, it's on her being her, Jeph has had story arcs that discuss her fears relating to her trans status. As far as the world having social progress, a counterpoint to that is that there's been discussion of violent transphobia existing in the QC universe, even though everyone who knows has been shown as quite supportive so far.
The comic's setting likely affects the amount of social progress, too, relative to the rest of the US. I'd guess that Northampton (real or QC) is far more accepting of trans people than, say, the real or QC version of rural North Carolina.
As far as "asshole", it really depends on some context we don't have as of this strip. I could see Clinton, out of unthinking anger (he wouldn't intentionally misgender Claire), reverting to slightly gendered epithets that he used before Claire transitioned (although it's worth noting that Claire didn't react to that, as someone else pointed out), or I could see him just calling everyone that.
neurocase:
I agree with Analogy; the only reason the insult was brought up at all is because of Claire's gender identity. Directed at anyone else in the comic, it wouldn't have garnered mention whatsoever. There are certain insults that are only targeted toward certain genders, yes, but making this about gender is utterly pointless. If Claire was cis, it wouldn't have come up. Not everything needs to be made about gender.
USS Martenclaire:
--- Quote from: neurocase on 27 Apr 2016, 03:45 ---I agree with Analogy; the only reason the insult was brought up at all is because of Claire's gender identity. Directed at anyone else in the comic, it wouldn't have garnered mention whatsoever. There are certain insults that are only targeted toward certain genders, yes, but making this about gender is utterly pointless. If Claire was cis, it wouldn't have come up. Not everything needs to be made about gender.
--- End quote ---
I'm inclined to agree in this case. Clin-ton is furious at Claire right now but that doesn't instantly change him from a caring loving brother into a raging transphobe. Remember when Claire first said to him that she'd told Marten she was trans? "He wasn't a dick about it, was he?!" In short, I feel that it is possible to read *too* much into a momentary angry word.
Yet even while angry, we still have our "NOPE" lines. Lines that we don't cross no matter how pissed we are at someone. I think with Claire, Clinton's NOPE line is anything that would make her feel ashamed of being trans. That's not the same as making her want to feel ashamed of interfering in his life.
creatureshock:
The fact that someone brought up Claire's gender at all is ridiculous and looking for a problem where there isn't one. I cannot speak for all transgendered people, but I can speak from my own experience with my wife (who is transgender, just in case that wasn't clear), being known as "the trans one" makes things very difficult for people that don't want it known. Going with my wife to trans support groups, it's pretty rare to find a trans person that wears that fact that they are trans on their sleeves. Most every trans person I've ever met doesn't want to anyone to say "And this is Bob, he used to be a woman!" or "This is Rachael, she used to be a man!" even to other trans people. I don't know if Claire is pre or post op, and frankly I don't give two shits either way. What I do care about is that Claire is a cool character that fucked up. Clinton is a cool character that got fucked over. Claire owes Clinton an apology. Clinton doesn't own Claire shit, but he should forgive her from my point of view. I'm sorry if I'm coming off like an asshole, but if the first thing you jump to is "was that because XXXX is trans?" when is clearly wasn't, you seriously need to figure out what is wrong with you. Calling someone an asshole isn't a trans insult. If Clinton had said "Dude! You fucking asshole!" THEN I'll consider it might have something to do with gender.
pwhodges:
--- Quote from: creatureshock on 27 Apr 2016, 04:09 ---The fact that someone brought up Claire's gender at all is ridiculous
--- End quote ---
It isn't if you believe (as some seem to, but I don't) that the insult used was gender-specific.
--- Quote from: creatureshock on 27 Apr 2016, 04:09 --- being known as "the trans one" makes things very difficult for people that don't want it known.
--- End quote ---
Remember that we are not in the same universe as Claire. We are observing a representation, and considering how Jeph is handling the issue (when relevant, which of course it usually isn't) of Claire's being trans. As such, a matter like this insult can be a valid subject for discussion by us, even when it would not be within a single universe (whether the comic universe or real life) - though such discussion should be held sensitively, assuming the likelihood of trans people being part of it.
In this case, I think from my point of view that the matter did not even need to be raised, simply because the word used is not really a gendered insult; however, clearly some people are conscious of the possibility that it might be used that way (and thus the reaction of the comic characters if they see it that way might be worth discussing), and I guess that fact alone is something we can usefully learn from.
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