Putin in drag: what transmisogyny looks like?

I’m sure many of you have seen the various protest images of Vladimir Putin’s image colored as if he’s wearing false eyelashes and makeup. The images are used to protest against anti-queer oppression in Russia.

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Do you think the image is problematic? Some feel the image uses trans expression to shame and mock Puttin, thereby degrading the trans experience.

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Here’s what some of you have to say about this on the TransAdvocate FaceBook page:

This is both trans misogyny and misogyny…because it is making a joke out of femininity. My being a woman and expressing myself as such should not be automatically labelled “degrading” or “weak”. Men are not inherently better than women.The world needs to grow up and realize the harmful things behind what they do…especially because they don’t see it.

Why is it shameful for him to look like a woman?

It does seem a bit counter-intuitive, but I’ve gotten used to seeing trans issues and rights thrown under the bus in favor of the more-popular gay and lesbian agenda.

Yeah, let’s cut that shit out. Putin is enough of a joke on his own.

First of all, not all women wear make-up. Also, the “make-up application” used is more clownish, not exactly feminine. I don’t think the point is to make him look like a woman but points more to the over over exaggerated theatrical display used by some drag queens. I think it is a bit insulting to trans women to assume they identify with such a false representation of what they look like or want to look like.

Insulting him in a way that he would be really insulted, fair game!

Oversensitive people drive me insane.

The makeup style definitely looks “drag”. I don’t really find it to be offensive.

What are your thoughts?
 


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Cristan Williams is a trans historian and pioneer in addressing the practical needs of underserved communities. She started the first trans homeless shelter in Texas and co-founded the first federally funded housing-first homeless program, pioneered affordable health care for trans people in the Houston area, won the right for trans people to change their gender on Texas ID prior to surgery, started numerous trans social service programs and founded the Transgender Center as well as the Transgender Archives. She has published short stories, academic chapters and papers, and numerous articles for both print and digital magazines. She received numerous awards for her advocacy and has presented at universities throughout the nation, served on several governmental committees and CBO boards, is the Editor of the TransAdvocate, and is a founding board member of the Transgender Foundation of America and the Bee Busy Wellness Center.