Life as a Spork: Token versus Role Models

LIFE AS A SPORK:
Token versus Role Models

I’ve been thinking heavily about celebrities and the idea of a “token” individual to speak out on behalf of an entire community. It can be overwhelming taking on such a role as speaking out about something so personal, or even worse when it feels forced upon you. I’ve even felt the need to speak up or out myself in many classrooms. There are plenty of times in the past I’ve gotten upset with a celebrity that is openly out of the closet but does not engage in positive queer community activism. It is important to note I say “queer” to be encompassing of everyone so I don’t leave someone out of the alphabet soup. With that, there are also plenty of times when I questioned someone’s true identity and wished they would come out. For whatever reason, I felt they had an obligation to, especially if they were in the spotlight…

When Ellen DeGeneres came out, I got mad when I felt she wasn’t doing enough activism. What a fool I was to feel that way. It’s an individual or personal choice whether or not someone wants to be an activist. Who’s to say that coming out alone isn’t a huge milestone or that she had to? At the time, I was frustrated with a lack of positive role models. If celebrities couldn’t be secure enough with themselves to be out, what hope did I have? Now, more celebrities are taking a stand, even as allies. Kudos to them but it is a personal decision for everyone and should be respected, especially with how complicated coming out can be for the individual and those around them.

Enter Chaz Bono. I’m going to be honest and say I haven’t seen any footage, nor read his book yet. For the point I’m about to make, it isn’t necessary. However, I foolishly went through the same process with him. Great, trans awareness hitting mainstream! He’s going to bring about so much change! Damn, I did it again and got myself all excited. The point I want to make very clear is that he is not the token individual speaking on behalf of all self-identified straight trans men. No one person can speak on behalf of an entire community. Simply, a token person isn’t going to give accurate representation. That’s why whenever I speak or write, I make sure to bring out my list of disclaimers such as saying I can only truly offer my own experiences and interpretations. Can we still have role models? Of course, but with the awareness that, in this case, this is Chaz’s story. Or, even Ellen’s story for that matter. So, Kudos to Chaz for telling his truth, but with the understanding that it is just that: his truth. I find this important to say because everyone’s story is different. How he chooses to transition, or not, is true or right for him and not necessarily for someone else.