Talk:The Empire Strikes Back: A Posttranssexual Manifesto

Use of terms "transgender" and "transsexual"

There are some language inconsistencies in the article due to cultural sensitivity and semantic issues encountered by the authors. In the original essay, the author uses the term "transsexual" to refer to men who seek sex reassignment surgery. The article authors' understanding is that the term "transsexual", although more specific than "transgender" (in that it denotes someone who specifically desires surgery in their transition process), is considered by some to be an outdated term that can be inappropriate or stigmatizing, in part because of its medical origination. Because of its older use as a pathological term, it may be comedic or awkward in the same way calling a gay person a "homosexual", or a woman a "hysteric" is awkward. Transgender is considered an umbrella term that includes all people whose gender identity is discordant with the one assigned to them at birth, regardless of their ability or desire to acquire surgery. Therefore, transgender is considered a more inclusive term. However, Stone was writing before transgender became the dominant term. The current solution in the article is to use the term "transgender" when not reproducing the author's direct speech. Will this be confusing for readers? Since the author appears to exclusively talk about people who seek sex reassignment surgery in her essay, would it technically be incorrect to use the term "transgender", since it includes people who do not seek surgery as a confirmation of their gender identity? The authors (including myself) would like input on this issue. Rizzolioli (talk) 22:47, 7 September 2020 (UTC)

Rizzolioli I have written several biographies on transgender people, as well as intersex people and lesbians from the 18th and 19th centuries. You are correct, it is difficult as the terms used were quite different. I usually opt to use the modern term and usually make a note to that effect. I would simply state in the note that though "the author uses the term "transsexual" to refer to men who seek sex reassignment surgery"(insert citation) the broader term is preferred and has been used in the article because of the reasons you state, which can be cited by this. SusunW (talk) 14:21, 9 September 2020 (UTC)