VideoJug: Life As A Transgender Person
http://www.videojug.com/interview/life-as-a-transgender-person-2

Several months ago, long before my notorious ”Bad Questions” video, I was contacted by popular “How To” website VideoJug to appear and speak as an expert on transsexualism. Basically, I gave my own answers to their (long) list of basic “people who don’t know anything about the topic” questions. Sort of a ”GOOD questions” video, ha ha.

I’m no scientist, but I answered their questions as best as I could. Some answers could have been a little better, but it was a long, grueling session lasting several hours, where I answered question after question non-stop. For all the hatahs who thought I was an evil bitch for chewing out askers of ”Bad Questions”, here’s the real me, and how I really answer honestly asked, respectful questions. Let me know what you think!

Calpernia as VideoJug’s Transsexual Expert - http://www.videojug.com/user/USEX0341/

UPDATED with more info! =)

This is a long post, and one I plan to simply link to from now on when this question comes up, to make things simpler. There are two big questions I am often asked by trans people with aspirations for getting into entertainment media:

1. Why don’t trans roles go to trans actors?
2. How do I get work in the media?

A lot of people have asked, “why not a trans actress?” during the press for Transamerica, Soldier’s Girl and other things I’ve worked with or on. There are lots of answers, but the top two from me are explained below.

Why not a trans actress?

1. If I had my way, there would be one trained and experienced trans actor for every non-trans man or woman called in to audition for any part, not just trans roles. The best actor would be cast. (In LA we call anyone who acts an “actor”, instead of using “actor/actress")
2. Rather than simply complain, I resolve this issue within myself by choosing to work with the situation at hand. As things stand, saying “It should have been a transwoman!” is possibly true, but realistically it doesn’t do anything… it just doesn’t, unfortunately.

What will do something in the climate we have right now to improve opportunities for trans actors?

Click HERE to Read More..

The “Bad Questions” video is a humorous portrayal of a heightened version of me… an exaggerated expression of the fatigue and hurt I feel when asked these questions in real life. I am performing in this video as a comedian, and in comedy we often express truths through exaggeration. Being an activist and an artist leaves me walking a fine line between selflessness and creative expression, and sometimes I lean more one way than the other. In real life, I have always treated questioners with kindness, even when they hurt my feelings to the very core, like kittens who dig their needle claws into you without knowing what they’re doing. You only wince and try to dislodge them with minimum damage, you never hurt them back.

But there is a nugget of truth in what I say in this video. Regardless of how curious and genuine the questioner may be, regardless of how much they feel like they need to understand my situation, that still doesn’t make these questions less hurtful when asked. That is an essential, very important point that I should type twice, it’s so important. Regardless of how good the intentions of the questioner, these questions still hurt many trans people who are asked them.

I’ve had many people respond to this video by saying things like, “I just want to know! Isn’t that a good thing?” and “Aren’t questions a good thing?” Well, yes, it’s a good thing that people want to understand, and yes, having questions is a good thing. But (1) Most of these questions can be answered on the internet and (2) this video lays out questions asked in a specific hurtful way; it doesn’t say any and all questions are “bad”. If one listens to the video, they will see right away exactly *why* I feel like the questions mentioned are “bad”. I explain why in great detail for almost each one.

It boils down to appropriateness in most cases. These are deeply personal questions, and I am often asked them by complete strangers who are obviously suppressing a shudder of thrilled revulsion even as they ask. I believe that most everyone could make a list like this… Police officers, wheelchair users, scuba divers, people with Mohawks. Most everyone gets asked “dumb” questions about something or other on a fairly regular basis, but as trans people our proportion of this goes through the stratosphere.

As I say, it’s a comedic exaggeration of my feelings, but if you listen to what I’m saying, it really does explain why I might feel the way I do for each one. In real life, as you can see in my response video, I am the soul of kindness and understanding. But I wanted to lay a little honest anger out there, too. I feel like, after a decade of these questions, I deserve that bit of release.

Calpernia