RuPaul as Barack and Michelle Obama

[Maven]

Found this on Towleroad and thought it was fun.

It's a Christmas card sent out to promote Ru's new "Drag Race" reality show.

Not bad, eh?

[Midlodemocrat]

1. I loved it. But, I have a question

and I hope I don't sound stupid. Is RuPaul a transvestite or a transsexual? Not that I care, I'm just being nosey.


:hi:

[Maven]

2. Midlo

you can be nosey on my threads anytime you want. :hug:

This may be a better question for our trans DUers to answer completely. However, I don't think Ru is transgender--I think he identifies as male.

He's a big ol' drag queen, which technically makes him a transvestite although that term is generally used for straight men who cross-dress.

[Midlodemocrat]

3. Okay, thanks. That's what I thought, but I didn't want to appear

insensitive. I think RuPaul is absolutely hilarious. Wonderful, wonderful performer.

:hug:

[TechBear_Seattle]

6. Insensitive is when you make a rude comment. Respectful is when you ask a polite question.

You asked as polite question. :toast:

And as Harvey said, RuPaul is neither transgender nor a transvestite. The first term is used when a person's self-identity does not match the birth gender; many (but by no means all) transgender people will pursue medical treatments and/or surgery to "transition" their bodies to match their identities. As with everyone else, transgender people may also self-identify as gay, straight, somewhere in between or as something outside that continuum entirely.

The term transvestite is usually reserved to mean someone who finds psychological relief in wearing articles of clothing associated with a different gender, but who's self-identity does match their birth gender and who have no interest in transitioning.

RuPaul is a drag queen, that is say: he is a gay man who dresses in the clothes and persona of an over-the-top, outrageous woman because it is fun. The gratification most drag performers get is the same that any entertainer gets when he can shock, amuse and entertain an audience. A straight man who does basically the same thing (and yes, they do exist) are called female impersonators.

[terrya]

4. I think it's fabulous!

And I still think the Obamas would get a big kick of seeing this. :-)

[GodlessBiker]

5. I think he makes a better Michelle than a Barack, which is not surprising.

He is very good at what he does and his xmas CD is really good.