Is Dan Savage transphobic? Using "shemale" isn't the way to win trans friends.
THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Dan Savage found himself glitterbombed in Eugene, Or., apparently for being transphobic. While not all the details are completely available, it does seem clear that somebody rushed the stage where he was speaking and poured glitter on him while shouting that he was a transphobe. Savage, of course, is the writer of the column “Savage Love” and is a nationally-known LGBT activist.
Savage had this to say previously on transphobic charges: “How do you disprove a charge like you’re transphobic? I’m not afraid of trans people, I certainly have had a journey in the last 20 years — as have we all — on trans issues. When I started writing ‘Savage Love’ 20 years ago, and you can yank quotes 15, 18 years ago and flat them up today and say, ‘You know, that’s transphobic,’ I’d probably agree.”
From The Huffington Post: In 2010, he [Savage] openly criticized Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, noting, “It’s staggering that Rob McKenna, a female-to-male transsexual, is making it harder for other FTMs (and MTFs) to access the life saving sex-reassignment surgery that allowed Rob to become the man he is today.” (McKenna, who is married with four children, is not actually transgendered). Similarly, Savage’s earlier use of the term “shemale” in several of his “Savage Love” columns generated heat from transgender rights activists, as did his decision to title one piece “Bad Tranny.”
I’m not sure what’s up with the Rob McKenna part. Savage says he’s a FTM, while news reports say he’s not actually transgender.
More about this from the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/02/dan-savage-glitterbombed-oregon-transphobia-_n_1071627.html
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Categories: Transgender, Transsexual, Trans
LEXIE CANNES STATE OF TRANS 
Yeah… he never was. He has made numerous transphobic remarks in his widely-viewed advice column. And he has never really given a convincing apology, at least none to my satisfaction…
The Rob McKenna ordeal, was actually his idea of comedy…
Yes, I’m being completely serious, he apparently thought it would be a great display of his comedic prowess and superior wit to call a cis-man an “FTM” as a rip on the guy’s policies…
Savage’s transphobia, as well as the McKenna incident specifically, have been discussed ad nauseam on certain forums over the years, as well as in some major news/editorial sites, eg. (the generally progressive and mostly trans-positive) Bilerico Project.
Thanks Maya!