Nostradamus’ Predictions
Friday, June 13th, 2008[1] [1] http://jaysennett.com/wp-content/uploads/nostradamus.jpg
Archive for June, 2008
[1] [1] http://jaysennett.com/wp-content/uploads/nostradamus.jpg
Masculinity is also Artificial
Thursday, June 12th, 2008[1] Seriously, folks. Masculinity is just as constructed as femininity. Julia Serano, author of Whipping Girl [2], riffs on this point in an interview at My Husband Betty [3]. Very little that we do as humans is natural. Not our cell phones, pencils, automobiles, central heating and air, having a cornucopia of off-season foods flown freshish to our local supermarkets and certainly not our genders. In the book, I talk about how masculinity often comes off as natural while femininity comes off as artificial. For example, many feminists have argued that high heel shoes or make-up are inherently unnatural and artificial, and that they only exist to appease or attract men. What underlies many of these arguments is the presumption that their masculine counterparts are inherently natural or practical. But this clearly isn’t the case. Most men shave their face (something that is arguably unnatural), and those who do it every day often do so in order to look presentable or attractive. But nobody ever talks about all of the time and money men waste on razors, shaving cream, and aftershave. And plenty of men spend an exorbitant amount of money fancy Italian shoes or the latest fad sneakers – there is nothing practical about that. I agree with you that we live in a highly consumerist culture, and I’ll be the first to critique that. But I also think that when people talk about consumer culture and feminine presentation without also addressing masculine presentation, it seems to me to be really one-sided and sometimes even downright anti-feminine. Granted, women typically spend way more than men on clothing and most grooming products. But while growing up, I knew lots of guys who spent tons of money on things related to their image and presentation: they’d buy overpriced sneakers, or spend lots of money on prettying up their cars, and flaunting their money in other ways to impress women they’re dating or interested in. I’ve found that many (albeit not all) men are just as concerned about their overall image as many women are. It’s just that men are expected to spend money to enhance their image in different ways than women are, and they are far less often critiqued for it when they do. [1] http://jaysennett.com/wp-content/uploads/slide2.jpg [2] http://www.amazon.com/Whipping-Girl-Transsexual-Scapegoating-Femininity/dp/1580051545/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213285069&sr=8-1 [3] http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/?p=1682#more-1682
Thank you, Ron
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008Ron has been a big supporter of my blog over the years. He graciously and without charge translated the work of a French transsexual activist here [1]. So with a heavy heart I share with you the following from Ron. Please keep him in your thoughts. Dear Friends of the International Carnival of Pozitivities: It is with both joy and sadness that I am writing to announce the final edition of the ICP. After you receive this notice, I will delete the mailing list for the ICP from my files and you will no longer receive announcements about the project. I was placed on a new drug regimen about 2 months ago and have experienced a serious side effect to the new meds. I am no longer able to continue to maintain the project as a result. Please know that it has been a joy to bring you the ICP for the past 2 years and that I wish I could continue the project into the future. However, my focus has to be on my own healing now. For those of you who have contributed or hosted the ICP, my heartfelt gratitude can hardly be expressed. For those who blog about HIV/AIDS and who fight to end the stigma of this disease, I urge you to continue your work. We are all in the fight of our lives. Many, many thanks to Sokari at Blacklooks for hosting the final edition of the ICP at the following link: http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/06/international_carnival_of_positives_-_final_edition.html [2] Please visit, read and leave your feedback for the host and the contributors in this, the last edition of the ICP. I wish you all peace and health. Much love. Safe Journeys! Ron Hudson [1] http://jaysennett.com/2006/06/femininst-muta…or-transinismsfemininst-mutations-trans-feminism-or-transinisms/ [2] http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/06/international_carnival_of_positives_-_final_edition.html
The Money Made Me Do It
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008[1] Once Homofactus Press [2] happened to me, and we published The Marrow's Telling [3], personal blogging, writing, and cartooning hit the skids. Energy outlay is going towards the company and authors rather than me. But I am learning a heck-of-alot about capitalism and business and how really, really, truly queer people struggle to make transformative changes with money. Strange. But true. I think we have to follow the contours of our scary places with regard to money and creativity. We have to be willing to feel uncomfortable with our contractual choices. Otherwise, little changes. Big love to everyone. [1] http://jaysennett.com/wp-content/uploads/jackie92.png [2] http://www.homofactuspress.com [3] http://www.amazon.com/Marrows-Telling-Words-Motion/dp/0978597311/002-2161944-4525632?SubscriptionId=1QZMGW0RRJC2PX87HDR2
Why I Became a Man
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008[1] This cartoon is dedicated to those feminists who think I am straying from the feminine path and those FtMs who think they have no privilege. Rock on! P.S. These cartoons continue to be free for you to use as long as you're not making money off of them. [1] http://jaysennett.com/wp-content/uploads/enhancing-white-privilege.png
