Theories that were Bunk

[Awesome Possum]

Gender is a matter of identity and social roles. Sex is a matter of biology and anatomy. They're two different things that don't automatically align. If someone actually surgically and hormonally alters their sexual anatomy, that is transsexuality. It is a specific subset of transgenderism, not an umbrella term for the whole thing. If anything is outdated, it's the tendency to use them interchangeably. That doesn't mean the more specific term doesn't still have value.

I'm actually transgender, stop trying to explain my identity to me. I know more about this than you.

Transsexuality is outdated.

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

That's transvestism, which is an entirely different thing from transsexuality. From what my college textbooks said, male transvestites see themselves as male and are usually heterosexual. Their interest in wearing women's clothing is more about social roles than sexuality. They're often men who were raised with very rigid gendered standards of behavior, the idea that men had to be tightly controlled and unemotional and aloof and that only women were free to be vulnerable and emotionally open -- so adopting a female persona and social role gives them a freedom they don't feel they can have in a male role, even though they still consider themselves fundamentally male. It's about outward performance and social presentation, rather than innermost identity.

I'm not sure there have been a lot of transvestite protagonists in popular series fiction. I don't count Klinger from M*A*S*H because he wasn't wearing dresses as self-expression, he was doing it as a con to make the military give him an insanity discharge (the unfortunate standards of another time, both the 1950s setting and the 1970s reality). But Shaenon T. Garrity's webcomic Skin Horse features a transvestite character named Tip, who loves wearing dresses and is an absolute fashion plate but is also intensely and promiscuously heterosexual and irresistible to women. He does eventually end up being seduced by the universe's other irresistible male but decidedly gay character, Artie (an import from Garrity's previous strip Narbonic), but it's a novel experience for him. Oh, and there was Drew's brother on The Drew Carey Show, who was this macho blue-collar guy who just liked wearing women's clothes.

Then again, what constitutes being "transvestite" is a matter of opinion. Sixty years ago, a woman wearing a t-shirt and blue jeans would've been considered a transvestite; now it's considered perfectly acceptable women's clothing. Maybe in a hundred years, it'll be seen as perfectly ordinary for a man to wear a dress.

The Great Eddie Izzard described himself as "more of a male lesbian", as he enjoyed wearing women's clothes, but also fancied women. Not a perfect term, lol, but this was nearly two decades ago. He also looked great in his outfits.

 

[BillJ]

Considering it's built around the fact that the Discovery has the number 31 in its registry, it's really not much of a theory. Indeed, why would a top secret clandestine and illegal criminal organization advertise their ownership of something in that way.

It would seem par for the course based on the writing in the first two episodes.

 

[Awesome Possum]

Star Trek is as subtle as a kick to the head. I could see them doing that.

 

[JasonJ]

It would seem par for the course based on the writing in the first two episodes.

Best place to hide is right out in the open... no one would ever suspect them of being that dumb. So do it anyways knowing that they know that you know that you are not that dumb at all! Plus, it's not like Discovery itself is painted black with half of her hull covered in torpedo launchers.

 

[Spider]

That the series will focus on two crews across two ships at the same time.

I was looking forward to that.

 

[JasonJ]

I was looking forward to that.

I was too.. it would be a unique view into Star Trek... very rarely do we get in depth views of life and operations aboard any ship other than the hero ship. Sometimes we saw a single episode or so aboard different vessels.. but just look how shook up and different things were with a different Captain, like when Jellico took command of the Enterprise: completely different feel and form of operations.

 

[Christopher]

Transgenderism and transexual are simply no longer terms that are widely used or accepted, they're being phased out in favour of simply using transgender. And please could you not try to explain this to two trans people who know better?

I'm actually transgender, stop trying to explain my identity to me. I know more about this than you.

Transsexuality is outdated.

My apologies to you both. I wasn't aware of that change in usage. May I ask, then, is there a term that's currently favored for referring specifically to that subset of transgender people who actually undergo sex reassignment surgery, in order to distinguish them from those who don't?

 

[Awesome Possum]

My apologies to you both. I wasn't aware of that change in usage. May I ask, then, is there a term that's currently favored for referring specifically to that subset of transgender people who actually undergo sex reassignment surgery, in order to distinguish them from those who don't?

They're still transgender. Some may refer to themselves as post-op, but it's a personal choice and it's never polite to ask them. It's no one's business but their own.

 

[Christopher]

They're still transgender. Some may refer to themselves as post-op, but it's a personal choice and it's never polite to ask them. It's no one's business but their own.

I know that much, at least. I'm not asking about any one person, I'm asking about generalized usage.

 

[F. King Daniel]

That dumb shit from the Facebook hate groups about 3 Sareks and technobabble explaining the new look of the show.

And all that time they spent saying it was a return to "Gene's Trek" until the first trailer hit.

 

[Awesome Possum]

I know that much, at least. I'm not asking about any one person, I'm asking about generalized usage.

Just transgender, you don't level up or gain special status by having an operation.

 

[Annorax849]

Funny thing is- I haven't seen anything I'd consider "PC" or "anti-Trump" yet. Like...even if I squint I can't find it.

Technically it could be argued that the Klingons represent Nationalism in their fight against being "integrated" into the UFP (globalism).

 

[JasonJ]

Technically it could be argued that the Klingons represent Nationalism in their fight against being "integrated" into the UFP (globalism).

I think it is meant that they represent any other ideology that is diametrically opposed to the the rest of the group... takes this to mean Conservative to Liberal, Radical ISIS supporting Islam to Everyone else, Isolationist Nationalism to Globalism..

The goal is to showcase the struggle and possible peaceful solutions despite the drastic differences. I would hope that the producers would not use Discovery as a vessel to preach their own personal views and sociopolitical beliefs (see what I did there?); but rather use it as a sound board to show how opposition forces can find common ground and that fighting and killing each other is not the best answer.

I haven't seen anything yet that is so direct as to specifically point out white, right-leaning, Nationalist values... not like Supergirl has. We'll see if that holds true. I'd like to think that Star Trek can be for everyone, and it won't purposefully take a position to insult or denigrate half of the viewing audience based on their beliefs and values. I'd be appreciative if they make me think about such things, consider other viewpoints and possibilities; but don't go out of their way to say "any perspective or social belief other than "X" is morally inferior".

Too many people, on trekbbs including, go so far as to insult and attack the individual and not their policies or points of view. In my opinion, as soon as you make an ad hominem attack, it becomes clear your argument is too weak as to stand up to basic questioning and scrutiny. This goes for both sides as well as those in the "moderate" zone.

Star Trek should be universally enjoyed and thought-provoking for all.

 

[IndyMac]

That Captain Lorca would die in the first episode.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Sooo.. I'm the only one who liked Superman Returns then? Bummer...

Not the only one.

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

There are dozens of us!

 

[Dr. Bashirs protege]

It would seem par for the course based on the writing in the first two episodes.

Have you read the purloined letter?

 

[Crazyewok]

I still see every other thread being derailed into transgender topics........ partly why i quit coming here.

That and how slow the forum loads.

 

[Tuskin38]

I still see every other thread being derailed into transgender topics........ partly why i quit coming here.

That and how slow the forum loads.

Every other thread? This is the first time I've seen it in a long time.