Because it's 2014.
It has been a year of victories for the trans community in the U.S. largely due to the work of trans advocates like Janet Mock, Laverne Cox, and the recent Barney's campaign featuring all trans models. Gone are the days of "tranny fierce" and society is slowly beginning to recognize trans people for what they are: people. In light of feedback from the trans community, after seven years, the 'Tranny Awards', a celebratory event for the transgender adult entertainment industry, will be changing it's name to the 'Transgender Erotica Awards' (T.E.A.).
As creator Steven Grooby explains, "When we named the show the ‘Tranny Awards’ in 2007 the climate was different and the usage of the word ‘tranny’ was appropriate as a catchy title in an online porn event… As we aim to be inclusive of all areas of transgender erotica and are looking to broaden the appeal of the show to mainstream media, we believed it was time to re-brand the event…I’d like to thank the extended trans adult community for their input and feedback over the last few months. We will be producing a show that the whole transgender adult community can be proud of."
Many people in the LGBT community agree with this sentiment, including Parker Marie Molloy, a transwoman who recently wrote in The Advocate, "The 't slur,' is, in fact, a slur. It’s a term tied to a history of violence, oppression, anger, and hate. It’s a term I've been called by those who wish to harm me. And frankly, it’s a term many trans women, like slain New Yorker Islan Nettles, hear immediately prior to falling victim to physical violence." Much like the "f word", the "t slur" is a term often used to objectify and dehumanize people or make their identity the butt of a joke, so let's put it to bed for good.
[h/t Grooby]
Image via T.E.A.
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