Trans Woman Killed; Media Calls Her Male

I'm a little confused. If an individual is trans-gender and that individual has accomplished a legal sex change, is it even necessary to refer to the person as "trans-gender?" Shouldn't the person be addressed by the new gender? Or does trans-gender mean that the individual has not yet changed his or sex or doesn't intend to? Pardon my ignorance but I am just now learning about this aspect of human sexuality; and I know that I can research the matter but so many people write so many different things that it's hard to know what is fact and what is fiction.

Davya, I think what Randy was saying is that to call someone a transsexual can be just as degrading as calling a trans person by their biological gender pronouns. At least that is how I (a trans person, in Texas) read his post. I do believe that he was advocating calling this unfortunate woman a woman, not a transsexual or a man.

From what I can see at the Houston Chronicle link, there is no mention of Myra's trans status. Is it possible the paper didn't know? Anyway, I am glad to see the paper has been directed to GLAAD's media guide -- it is an excellent resource for media and everyone else, too. Cheers from Quebec, Canada Jillian

Alright Randy, is your male identity, something you probably affirm, something that should be subject to the possibility of constant verbal ambiguity? Because, after all, gender is just about 90% psychological, social, which means that, aside 10%, your just as much of a man as Myra is a woman. See. No "change state".

The article has few facts but perhaps they’re not known. It may be wrong to assume she was killed because she was transgendered. I find this label restrictive and harmful and feel that once a person is reborn that is what they are; and continuing to hold them in a “change-state” is harmful. We don’t know what happened. Unfortunately people regard others who have hit hard times, are down and out, etc as less and not warranting their regard, regardless of sexual orientation. As for the Houston Mayor, it’s wrong to attack her so quickly when virtually no other mayor would come out about this; and just because someone is homosexual and in a position of control doesn’t mean you can always champion an issue. A homosexual politician may have more to balance because their every move is scrutinized -- one day that may be different. We have independent associations to confront poor etiquette and discrimination like this -- picket the news stations and demand something better.

Dieter - can you provide references to where Anise Parker stated that she had no intentions to help further gay rights in Houston? I'd be interested to read that because the impression I get from her is that she is very professional woman who's duty is to help improve the city of Houston for all of it's citizens, including those from the LGBT population. I imagine because Anise Parker is a lesbian that she will certainly be very sensitive to LGBT issues in Houston but you have to remember that she is a mayor for the entire city, not just the LGBT population. Give her some time, she just took office a couple of weeks ago.

With all due respect to everyone... I'm from Houston and transwomen have been turning up dead with alarming regularity in Houston for as long as I can remember. But especially within the last 10 years. This isn't any kind of "retaliation" for having elected a gay mayor. The Houston T community has been clamoring for help the entire time. The fact is, in Texas, particularly in Houston, you can pretty much get away with raping or killing a trans person whenever you want. The Montrose/Westheimer "hoe stroll" is quite infamous. Prostitution is pretty much the only means of self-support for the majority of lower income trans people in Texas... or anywhere else in this country, come to think of it. Bottomline, Transwomen are all but being hunted for sport, and whenever a body turns up, it's the same media story. "Male prostitute in a dress found dead.." "transvestite"... "He," this and "his body" that.

It is not enough that this woman had to end her life in a very sad and tragic way, but to add insult to injury by referring to her as her previous biological gender as well as using male pronouns to refer to her is totally and absolutely disgusting. Where is the respect for human dignity? Thankfully Myra can rest in peace now from hateful vile and ignorance such as this that is plaguing humanity.

That new Mayor, has NO intention of doing ANYTHING to further gay rights. She made that clear. This is all about her PERSONAL goals, of becoming a rich white Texan, and that's it.

Isn't Houston, Tx. where the new Mayor is Gay? Aren't there people there trying to work against her? This transgender woman was evidently killed because of hate and disrespect, and the person that did it made sure she was being thrown in a disrespectable area to continue their hate to the end. All heterosexual people, including myself, should hang our heads in shame. We aren't doing enough to change this.