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The Latest Romantic Goings On With KU's Man About Town
Submitted by Jimmy McCloskey on Tue, 17/11/2009 - 15:56
![David was prone to Partridge-esque outbursts [Rex Features]](http://www.riveronline.co.uk/09/sites/default/files/images/alanpar.jpg "David was prone to Partridge-esque outbursts [Rex Features]")
Following the discovery that I’d been seeing a man with a fondness for shiny hosiery, I vowed to stop dating for a few weeks - but my resolve proved weak, and I was soon back on the scene.
Tuesday saw a message arrive from David, a 30-something charity worker I’d met in a Vauxhall bar a few weeks previously. He’d suggested drinks whilst I was with Jean the Frenchman, but I’d been in a semi-romantic, monogamous mood. With him out of the way, the time seemed right.
I was tipsy when we first met and without glasses. Sure enough, seeing David the second time confirmed that my beer goggles had been tightly fastened that night. There was nothing physically wrong with him – he was just a bit mousey and geography teacher-esque to be my type.
However, it was David’s personality that really accentuated his physical shortcomings. He saw nothing wrong in inviting along a work colleague who bore more than a passing resemblance to Justin Lee Collins. If I had fancied him, that would’ve pissed me off. As it turned out, I was glad to have someone else to dilute David’s smug, puffed-up personality.
Being in the company of two work-buddies, a fair bit of time was spent talking shop. David regaled me with tales of his career trajectory and then, horror of horrors, his earning power.
"I’m glad to say I’ve lived up to one of my dad’s favourite sayings.” He paused for effect...“I earn my age,” he said, casting a smug glance at his lowly colleague.
There’s no greater turn-off on a first date than discussing salaries, but it didn’t stop him. Between that, the appearance of the colleague, the lengthy discussion of Christine – his bitch boss – and his general unattractiveness, I knew we were on a road to nowhere.
Sensing that it was time to leave, I hammed up a throat infection that had been bothering me, promised David that I would indeed text him soon to organise something else [“Alone this time,” he said with a wink, instantly making my skin crawl] and disappeared off up Brick Lane to console myself with heavy food and silence.
Comments
Is tranny an acceptable word?
No. No it's not.
Are you a tranny Mr anon you seem a bit sensitive? In the context of the subject I think this is an acceptable term, its just short for transexual, I don't see the problem with saying this, afterall it is not a hateful feature.
No, I'm not a tranny, but I am trans. Tranny a shortened version of transsexual? Yes, but does that make Paki an acceptable abbreviation of Pakistani? No. Tranny is just as offensive.
16 October 2009
1 year 37 weeks
Anon, I'm normally pretty self assured when it comes to my writing and beliefs, but you've managed to prick my conscience...well done!
As someone who falls under the LGBT umbrella, I never expected to face criticism for misusing its colloquialisms.
This was intended as a light-hearted, entertaining feature - I wrote the offending word/phrase without a second thought.
However, I do take your point and have changed the wording accordingly...apologies for any offence caused, but do keep reading [even if it's only to check-up on me]!
Hi Jimmy,
Thanks for acknowledging and realising the problem. Apology accepted. May you continue to write articles (albeit, a little more carefully).
Yours gratefully,
your anonynous trans reader.
It does not matter what someone's gender identity is (and considering it was referring to a man in the last article where there was no mention that he was trans) calling someone a 'tranny' in the LGBT communities could be seen to be as offensive as calling someone a 'faggot' or a 'dyke'. Neither of those words would be allowed in an article and there is no reason why the trans community, or any other community, should put up with the language present in this one.
In addition, it should be noted that 'transsexual' does not apply to everyone in the trans community as 'trans' is the appropriate umbrella term. Please understand these words and how you are using them before flinging them around.
I've gotten somewhat used to the homophobic drivel consistently published by The River (in either printed or electronic format) but transphobic language is a new one. Congratulations yet again.
As a black gay man I just want to say that I think this is getting blown up into something that it really should not be.
It may not be the best word, but homo could be the same? Am I offended by that? no, I have been called a lot worse.
So the word tranny was used, big deal, nobody was hurt and in the context of the article it was the person reflection of somebody who indeed did have a short stint with a transvestite.
Freedom of speech, we still know and understand what that is right?
I was offended. Let's remember that freedom of speech works both ways. The person who wrote this is free to write it, just in the same way that I'm free to tell them how offended I was by it. I believe they shouldn't say it. Not that they shouldn't BE ABLE to say it.