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Why It's 'Transgender' Not 'Transgendered'

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The word "transgender" has only recently come into widespread usage, largely as a result of the firestorm over state laws restricting which bathrooms transgender people should use. Assistant professor K.J. Rawson explains the word's history, and tells Here & Now's Robin Young why the proper use is "transgender," not "transgendered" — because "transgender" is something you are, not something you do.

Correction:  

The media guide mentioned in this interview is distributed by the group GLAAD.
In the interview we mistakenly identified them as Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders; that group calls itself GLAD, and its full name is GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders.

Guest

  • K.J. Rawson, assistant professor at College of the Holy Cross, who is compiling a Digital Transgender Archive. He tweets @KJRawson.

This segment aired on May 17, 2016.

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