Comments on Becky's T-Blog: What would you do, if you were me?

Tranny and TV is absolutely superb, and is a quite...

2007-03-18T16:32:00.000Z

Tranny and TV is absolutely superb, and is a quite observant but poignant (if rather tongue-in-cheek) commentary on parts of the trans-scene. And let's not vilify it into something that it clearly isn't.

As a TS myself, I just cannot take offense at such things. I have always been able to laugh at myself (despite all the tears that have shed), and laugh with other people about who and what I am, and this has often taken away the pain and made transitioning for me so much easier.

I am not convinced that Stonewall Riot or Greenham Common style protest is the modern and progressive way to tackle the very real problems that are faced by some in the trans community, and I have found that I have gained so much more support from those outside of the community by not jumping up and down shouting prejudice at every little incorrect gender pronoun spoke - including some whom I thought would be very 'difficult' at work with my transition, but with a bit of give and take, are now counted as very good colleagues AND stand up for me.

That said, I am no less of a very out and vocal supporter of trans-issues and where there is ignorance, re-addressing the balance.

Personally, I am *so* waiting for the book :-)

crass and poor humour in poor taste. i laughed so ...

2007-03-15T02:39:00.000Z

crass and poor humour in poor taste.

i laughed so hard i snorted.

more please

supernaut

For what it's worth Becky, I think that Tranny and...

2007-03-15T01:24:00.000Z

For what it's worth Becky, I think that Tranny and TV is hilarious! The last one didn't really have me in stitches or anything, but I wasn't offended. Keep going.

Tranny and TV is the funniest thing to come out of...

2007-03-14T22:44:00.000Z

Tranny and TV is the funniest thing to come out of the UK trans scene in the last decade. Please do not stop.

You're doing great work Becky !T&TV have their own...

2007-03-14T20:39:00.000Z

You're doing great work Becky !
T&TV have their own sense of humour which some of us share.
With all this comment maybe they need a dedicated site/forum ;)

As someone who has been the recipient of a lovingl...

2007-03-14T09:29:00.000Z

As someone who has been the recipient of a lovingly applied kicking - there were about a dozen assailants - just aound the corner from where Becky now resides, I still find myself mercifully free of any insult, smear or slur, whether implied or imagined.
There have been a few episodes of T&TV where I've felt the prodding of Becky's knowing wit, and I've laughed at myself as a result. I'm not precious about it: there are far more important things in the world and in my life than this cult cartoon strip - sorry Bex ;o)

@Pia:
"Those who fight monsters should take care that they never become one. For when you stand and look long into the abyss, the abyss also looks into you." ~ Frederich Nietsche
I freely admit that this could also apply to me too.

You must not be discouraged by negative reactions,...

2007-03-14T00:14:00.000Z

You must not be discouraged by negative reactions, they in fact could be sign that you are doing something very right. The TG scene is bloated with uptight, deluded or ego-tripping nightmares who frankly can make it hell for the rest of us, well for me at least. So anything that pricks their pomposity get a thumbs up from me. Homer J once said ''It's funny 'cos it's true'' That is the deal here, you think it's funny, I often do, as do myriad others. People should not be so sensitive. A few days ago you said to me I like my humour ''black with no sugar'' You were spot on, yours can be a bit sarcastic and dark - thank G_d it can be. It would be a sad day if your blog became as asinine as some others that are around, in fact I don't believe you could bothered to do one that way.

I like them, please keep doing them :)

2007-03-13T23:57:00.000Z

I like them, please keep doing them :)

I'm missing a big point here, but are we all talki...

2007-03-13T23:28:00.000Z

I'm missing a big point here, but are we all talking about a cartoon strip???
Although look what trouble the Dutch had last year....

As usual I always turn up to these 'mega comments'...

2007-03-13T22:54:00.000Z

As usual I always turn up to these 'mega comments' blog posts at the end!!!

Not sure if I'm missing a big point here, but are we all talking about a cartoon strip??? And a cartoon strip that was done in the style of Python??? But hey, I've never been the sort of person that digs very deep with these sorts of things...

"plus you will become the Tranny equivilent of Bernard Manning..."

Now that's offensive!!! ;-)

hmm. I would like to put an arguement in place fo...

2007-03-13T22:28:00.000Z

hmm. I would like to put an arguement in place for Pia's point ,but Iv'e never suffered the personal attacks so am a little detached from her friends experiences & as for violence portrayed in you cartoons, well to condem that would, shall we say, be a touch hypocritical of me.

It's personal perspective.
Becky you don't intend to offend, but you offend with your intent.
We view things & interperate from our personal experience & form opinions from this narrow scope.
Pia's view that the subject can be taken so lightly differs from the mostly "Meh" view above.
Im one of the amused, who like T&TV
,but I'm sure that might have been different if my circumstance were that of Pia's friend.

No, you should carry on with T&TV. You can't cater & please everyone, plus you will become the Tranny equivilent of Bernard Manning.

sends big squeezy internet hugB, you must write ...

2007-03-13T21:14:00.000Z

*sends big squeezy internet hug*

B, you must write for yourself... write because you want to and because it makes you happy... writing with your audience in mind ain't going to work.

Be yourself.

Oh, waddafug, take the rest of the day off, girlfriend, relax, kick back... ;-)

love, hugs and a mug of hot chocolate
Helen

I seen it happen before. Someone tries to create s...

2007-03-13T19:20:00.000Z

I seen it happen before. Someone tries to create something good: people enjoy it, but a tiny few start to niggle about it not being quite the way they want it, complaining here, sniping there, until the original good soul decides they have had enough and withdraw their good deed. Only then do the vast majority raise their voices and say what a great thing it was, and how sorry they are to see it go.

Your site, blog and cartoons are great. Keep it up and continue to spread a lot of happiness.

Err. That should have been "very safe dressed in s...

2007-03-13T18:36:00.000Z

Err. That should have been "very safe dressed in straight clubs"

Ex journalists opinion (hah!):Keep the strip. Its ...

2007-03-13T18:35:00.000Z

Ex journalists opinion (hah!):
Keep the strip. Its funny, and often clever.

I didn't even consider the subtext suggested by some readers. I think people are projecting their prejudices onto your 'toons.

As an aside I've only ever been attacked en-homme. I've always felt very safe dressed in safe clubs, even though I'm not that convincing.

Keep on making em and posting em.The community nee...

2007-03-13T16:52:00.000Z

Keep on making em and posting em.

The community needs a gentle ribbing from time to time, it stops the self-importance.

If people want to do their own neo-punk, hardcore, establishment-rocking blogs then let them go do it elsewhere. Posting snide comments on other people successful blogs is not the way to go about it. Pia - please go put your money where your mouth is. If you write it, then they may come...

English major's opinion:Though I may not agree wit...

2007-03-13T16:41:00.000Z

English major's opinion:

Though I may not agree with Pia's opinion, I will not say it is not a valid reading. Personally, I thought the comic was silly and fun and not at all offensive, but I can see how someone more sensitive might be effected differently. Perhaps someone who has seen real violence as a result of trannying.

Actually, Pia's reading sounds like a hardline feminist reading. (And we all know how much fun feminists can be. ducks)

I was somewhat shocked by the vitriol slung in Pia's direction.

All that said, don't stop doing it the way you've been doing it. If they don't like it, they'll head elsewhere.

Relating back to the first words of your entry, re...

2007-03-13T15:50:00.000Z

Relating back to the first words of your entry, relating to investing emotion... I notice that the shortlist for a prize aimed at awarding blogs that become books has been announced.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6446271.stm

Ever fancied commiting your blog to print in a more permanent fashion??

I tried posting this last night, but Blogger would...

2007-03-13T15:22:00.000Z

I tried posting this last night, but Blogger wouldn't let me, for some unknown reason.

As Becky has responded, here and elsewhere, I'm simply re-iterating what I've said, elsewhere.

/Carolyn Ann
===========================
I was just reading in "Motorcyclist" (Apr '07) about how many objected to the journalism of a Mr. Dan Walsh. He's profane, he's rude, crude, loud and he can be obnoxious. So many letter writers calling for him to be fired, and only a few published letters that said he had a right to say what he wanted. So you're definitely in good company!

One of the certainties guaranteed by freedom of speech is that you're going to annoy someone, at some time.

But there's an essential difference between a magazine that vies for corporate dollars and a blog written for personal expression. That difference boils down to the freedom to express yourself.

You have a right, Becky, to say what you want to say. Pia has a right to object. One of the central points about blogging is that your readers can comment on what you post. It's a bit like a distended conversation, and a blog conversation has more frailty than "normal" conversation. It's sans the body language and inflexions that inhabit those.

If you write, you can guarantee that someone, somewhere, will be offended at some point. It's inevitable.

It's a consequence of both providing the means to comment, and providing the topic (aka venue) for someone to have an opinion on. But that shouldn't stop you writing, or cartooning, what you want to.

Pia made an objection to something you published. Pia had both the right and the means to object; it was exactly the same right and means you have in your blog, and in your cartoons.

That Pia objects is neither here nor there. Pia has voiced a objection, and her response to your question. You have voiced uncertainty, and a fear of offending. Your cartoons, and your posts, provide an insight into you. No one else. When we start to "fit in", and not offend, we start on a rocky road that leads to dissatisfaction and self-censorship. There is little crime worse than that of quieting oneself in order to appease others.

While you may find Pia's objection to be of concern, it should not stop you from writing as you see fit. Write in the knowledge that you'll tick off someone, somewhere. Anytime you start to consider what others think, you start writing what they want to hear, and not what you want to write.

Selfishly, I view it as a personal imperative to write what I want, when I want. I neither care, nor consider, what others may think of my writing. And you shouldn't care, or consider, either.

Write for yourself, and your audience will want more. Write for others and you'll either be coveted by false acolytes or it will be a burden. And it certainly won't be you in those posts.

Freedom of expression, and the ability (freedom, but I wanted to retain some semblance of grammar) to dissent, is critical to a society; without it a blog becomes a meaningless accoutrement. Write what you want. Don't fret the objections. They'll happen, regardless.

Carolyn Ann
(Wait, I've not finished, yet!)
While this may seem to be a little high-falutin', the principle to dissent is so important. As a blog writer, get used to offending. If you write what you think your audience wants to read, you'll not do well. Write so as to not offend, and I'll guarantee offense at every turn.

My tuppence ha'penny...This is your site with your...

2007-03-13T14:46:00.000Z

My tuppence ha'penny...

This is your site with your rules, Becky. Your blog, Tranny and TV, it's all your creation and your ideas and whatever you want to express or put up here is totally your call and no one elses'. One of the best things about Becky Sweb is that it's always been funny, original (even the borrowed bits), spontaneous (think of all those times when you'd buzz me on MSN to share your latest idea) and different from any other tranny site out there. I walked away from the tranny scene, but Becky Sweb is still in my bookmarked sites because it's that good.

As someone who runs their own (BLATANT PLUG ALERT) comedy sketch website, I've received 2 negative comments about our material and for a while that got me down because I couldn't please everyone. But it didn't matter in the end. I thought the material was good and I've stuck by it and in the end it's paid off. I say the same to you: If you like it, then you don't have to justify it.

"how about doing a really fucking amazing tranny a...

2007-03-13T12:29:00.000Z

"how about doing a really fucking amazing tranny and tv that rather than being 'clever'"

No Pia, why don't you go and do that? I'm sure it would be brilliantly moving and bring a tear to my eye.

Not all people share your view that the only way trannies should engage with the world is via a "firefight", but there might be some, so you should spread the word.

So rather than sniping at me and my readers from within, why not set up your own blog? I hope you build up the kind of readership by blogging material that make us "ponder the fate we have chosen"; that I have by blogging my "glib and crass" stuff about talking electrical appliances.

And they can all read about "hate crimes" and your half-assed opinions on "the Goddess" and stuff influenced by "punk or some Radiohead". I'm sure you'll get an audience of your kind of tranny, but you should see by the (unmoderated) comments on this post that you're completely in the minority amongst my readership. (Which happens to include a fair proportion of non-trannies who I like to think I have given a positive image of transgenderism to.

Your comments upset me because for a brief time I thought that maybe I'd completely misjudged my audience, and that I was unwittingly condoning violence against TG folk. The comments I've recieved have universally stated that this isn't the case.

People are intelligent enough to know what's comedy and what's reality, and how one can hold a mirror to the other without either condoning it or lessening it.

It's only you that seems to think I'm not writing in a way fit to represent "the transgendered community".

One more thing. Saying that you'd "laugh at me" if I was joking through bloodied teeth is just about the most hateful thing anyone has said to me on my blog or in person. And I'm including the emails from the religious nutcases.

So please, stop reading my blog, because it's not going to change into something you like. And I'm going to delete your comment on Tranny and TV, and any future comments you make on my blog. You can complain about freedom of speech if you like, but do so on your own blog, or in a forum, or wherever. This is my platform that I've worked to create, and you're not welcome here.

To paraphrase Voltaire: I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write... just not on my blog.

I've always enjoyed T&TV, I can't say they've ever...

2007-03-13T11:31:00.000Z

I've always enjoyed T&TV, I can't say they've ever offended me. I'd love to see you continue them and am very grateful for the time you spend on this blog keeping us entertained.

Comedy and censorship. Discuss.Personally, I find ...

2007-03-13T11:11:00.000Z

Comedy and censorship. Discuss.

Personally, I find the strips rather funny. T&TV aren't really grotesques. Sure, their behaviour's exaggerated, but you can at least relate to it (this month's p*ssing contest is a prime example). There are worse 'funny trannys' out there. Emily Howard? Funny, offensive or just b*llocks? (My money's on the latter).

We're along way from Brass Eye levels of near knuckle-ness*, but T&TV does continue to push a few buttons here and there.

[ * I hear the Cat's Protection League were about to issue a fatwah against you after the gag about a dead cat in a box. :) ]

You have to be able to laugh at yourself. And lets face it, most of us look a sight even on our best days. :-)

BTW, Becky, any chance of getting in some gags about Jesus in the next issue? I mean, if you're going to offend people, you might as well go for broke. :)

Ranting is quite boring. Your cartoons are sweet. ...

2007-03-13T11:03:00.000Z

Ranting is quite boring. Your cartoons are sweet. By all means keep it up ;)

erm...from my own perspective as an out ts i've ye...

2007-03-13T10:35:00.000Z

erm...from my own perspective as an out ts i've yet to be offended by tranny and tv. I think that what Becky does with them is clever and funny, now if Becky was a tranny hating neo-nazi skinhead then maybe there would be cause to take offence, but she's not :), all i can see is abit of gentle mocking of the whole oneupmanship that occurs in any community of people.

Comments on Becky's T-Blog: What would you do, if you were me?

Tranny and TV is absolutely superb, and is a quite...

crass and poor humour in poor taste. i laughed so ...

For what it's worth Becky, I think that Tranny and...

Tranny and TV is the funniest thing to come out of...

You're doing great work Becky !T&TV have their own...

As someone who has been the recipient of a lovingl...

You must not be discouraged by negative reactions,...

I like them, please keep doing them :)

I'm missing a big point here, but are we all talki...

As usual I always turn up to these 'mega comments'...

hmm. I would like to put an arguement in place fo...

*sends big squeezy internet hug*B, you must write ...

I seen it happen before. Someone tries to create s...

Err. That should have been "very safe dressed in s...

Ex journalists opinion (hah!):Keep the strip. Its ...

Keep on making em and posting em.The community nee...

English major's opinion:Though I may not agree wit...

Relating back to the first words of your entry, re...

I tried posting this last night, but Blogger would...

My tuppence ha'penny...This is your site with your...

"how about doing a really fucking amazing tranny a...

I've always enjoyed T&TV, I can't say they've ever...

Comedy and censorship. Discuss.Personally, I find ...

Ranting is quite boring. Your cartoons are sweet. ...

erm...from my own perspective as an out ts i've ye...

sends big squeezy internet hugB, you must write ...