By Jacob Samuel at The Daily Snooze
Running wild
At this point, you’d have to be trying to ignore the SFU track and field team to be unaware of how well they’re performing this season.
The Clan were in Seattle last weekend competing in the University of Washington Invitational Indoor Invitational, and performed admirably — though so much is almost to be expected at this point. However, the competition in this event was much stiffer than much of what the Clan have faced this season, as many NCAA Division I schools were competing as well.
On the first day of competition, both the men’s and women’s distance medley relay teams finished well enough to earn a berth in the GNAC championships later this month.
On the men’s side, the combination of Adam Reid, Stuart Ellenwood, Ryan Brockerville, and Keir Forster ran their way into second place in the event. The women’s team of Michaela Kane, Sarah Sawatzky, Lindsey Butterworth, and Abbey Vogt finished sixth on their side of the event. Many of these runners had already earned spots in the championship in different events, but the two sides solidified SFU’s already notable presence in the presence.
Butterworth, Sawatzky, Kane, Forster, Brockerville, and Reid were also among the eight Clan runners to perform well enough on the events’ second day to earn one more race in the championships. Yubai Liu and Anton Hemeniuk will join those six as their performances in the 800-metre and 3000-metre events, respectively, were good enough to qualify as well.
Needless to say, the Clan will have their presence felt when the championships eventually roll around, and if you’re not paying attention yet, it’s about time you were.
Horizon bright for men’s basketball
It hasn’t been an easy season for the SFU men’s basketball team, and that’s putting it lightly.
The season was almost derailed before it even got going — the number of freakish injuries suffered by key players was, well, freakish. From cysts on the brain to torn knees, the Clan were behind the eightball from the get-go.
Despite all the pre-season adversity, the Clan opened the season strong, winning four of their first six games. That total alone actually surpassed their record from their inaugural GNAC season. Newcomers Javari Williams and Matt Ravio were quickly winning over the hearts of the fans with their chemistry and flash (particularly in the case of Williams), but that’s about when the good times stopped rolling.
Even more injuries befell upon the Clan — most recently a significant knee injury to forward Ibrahim Appiah, one of the team’s top rebounders — and the Clan have since gone 3–12 since November, with only two of those wins coming against GNAC opponents. The proverbial dagger to the heart has not been injuries, however. A number of Clan athletes — only a small handful, but still more than one would ever hope — have been forced to watch from the sidelines as a result of poor academic performance. The academic ineligibles, out for the remainder of the season, left their team with only eight players to start the new year — but that was before Appiah went down with his own injury.
With only seven available players at the moment, the team is having a tough time refraining from losing their breath, let alone games.
That’s not to say that the team hasn’t been competitive, however. The team has lost more than a fair share of blowout losses, but there have been a few defeats that sting more than most. In mid-December, when the team was mostly intact, the Clan lost a heartbreaker to the Academy of Art Universtiy, 84–83. And when the New Year rolled around, the Clan lost another one-point game, 74–73, when a last-second three-point attempt didn’t go against Western Oregon. A win on that January 5 game would’ve meant more than just a notch in the W column, as a win against the then-top-ranked team in the GNAC would’ve been a huge emotional boost.
News out of the men’s team could be more positive in the coming days, however. The Clan did defeat St. Martin’s University on Thursday. On a night where their female counterparts nearly doubled up on the Saints, the men’s side played, and won,
an incredibly close game against SMU. The Clan lead by just one at half time, and parlayed that into a 88–85 victory for only their second GNAC win of the year. Moreover, the Clan face the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Thursday. The Nanooks are the only other in-conference team the Clan have beat; they won that game on the road, but the rematch is in the cozy confines of SFU’s West Gym.
No matter how few players they dress, the Clan refuse to make excuses, and hopefully that mentality has started to turn the season back in the right direction.
Clan rout St. Martin’s to keep pace in standings
Sometimes, there are games a team just shouldn’t win. Other times, there are games the team should just run away with. For the Clan, their Thursday evening game against the St. Martin’s Saints was definitely the latter. The Clan were fighting for third place in the GNAC, while the Saints were floundering at just 2–9 on the season. But as we learned last week, there’s a reason the teams actually play the games.
The Clan lost a very winnable game to Western Washington last Saturday, and the 70–61 defeat was the Clan’s first home loss of the season. A win against the Vikings would’ve propelled SFU into the second seed in the GNAC standings, and in the current playoff format, the conference’s top two teams earn first round byes. The loss, however, dropped the Clan into the fifth spot and to the edges of playoff contention. With that in mind, the Clan weren’t taking anything for granted against St. Martin’s.
“We had a huge sour taste in our mouths,” said sophomore Chelsea Reist of their loss to Western Washington. Thursday’s game against St. Martin’s was much sweeter.
The Clan came out flying early, and Reist led the charge, starting the game hitting all of her first six shots. She in particular seemed to take the Western Washington loss personally.
“I sure did,” she laughed. “We didn’t play at all like we should have, not at all like our potential. Before [this] game we talked about it, how we needed to come out and win this
one for everyone to believe in us again.”
The game was over early, and the eventual 79–48 victory will go a long way to restoring that confidence.
Reist was a force inside early, and gave the Clan an early lead that they would not give up for the duration of the game. Between her and fellow 6-foot-2 forward Nay Raincock-Ekunwe, the Clan put together an attack that the Saints had no answer to. Reist scored most of her points early, while Raincock-Ekunwe steadily built her way to a double-double — something becoming almost commonplace with her — finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
“It was awesome today,” said Reist of they play of Raincock-Ekunwe and herself inside. “That’s probably the best we’ve been . . . I’d really like to keep that going.”
Understandable. The duo’s down-low prowess opened up the deep ball for ace Kristina Collins, who scored all 12 of her points from beyond the arc. Add the Clan’s ridiculously deep bench, and SFU easily disposed of struggling St. Martin’s — just as it should’ve been. In a playoff race as tight as theirs, every game matters, and no games can be taken for granted.
Alaska Anchorage is comfortably in first place, but the three teams directly in front of the Clan all won on Thursday as well. Western Washington sits in second at 8–3, while the Clan, still in fifth, improved to 7–4 with the victory. Needless to say, it’s a close race.
“Everything’s so tight,” said second-year guard Marie-Line Petit. “We could’ve been second, but we dropped a couple games we shouldn’t have, and now we’re in fifth. Each game can hurt us bad if we lose it.”
Only six teams make the playoffs, and the Clan only one spot away from that dividing line. That said, they’re still just one win away from second place and that valuable bye. With their confidence restored and knowing they can take nothing for granted, the Clan could be back on their way up the standings.
Cody Hodgson has arrived
The Peak recently published an article saying Vancouver Canucks centre Cody Hodgson needed to step up. Apparently he reads our newspaper.
The 21-year-old rookie has had a sensational start to the new year, and has not only solidified his spot on the team, but has locked down the third-line centre role as well. He recorded 10 points in the month of January — six of them goals — and has vaulted himself into serious Calder Trophy talks as the league’s best freshman.
It did help that Edmonton’s young phenom Ryan Nugent-Hopkins missed significant time with an injury, but don’t let that take anything away from Hodgson’s play of late. His 14 goals are, at this moment, second among all rookies, while his 30 points are good for fourth, only five behind Nugent-Hopkins’ 35. And even though the Oilers’ star missed a number of games, he still has played far more minutes than Hodgson has this season.
Admittedly, Hodgson has had much more professional experience than Nugent-Hopkins and other top rookies, and that has no doubt helped his play. But frankly, he’s still rather fortunate to be in this position. A serious back injury threatened to derail his career before it ever really got going. Then, a freak jaw injury while playing with the Canucks AHL afilliate, then the Manitoba Moose, took the young centre back out of the lineup barely after returning. Of course, being the 10th overall pick in any draft comes with serious expectation — and with a fan base as fickle and demanding as Vancouver’s, Hodgson’s slowed development left the city wanting more, if not a trade.
Needless to say, he’s finally starting to tap into all that potential, and those trade rumours have died down significantly over the past month. His January efforts earned him Rookie of the Month honours, while his play this season earned him a selection as one of the rookies invited to the NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa.
Hockey fans on the west coast like to complain about the lack of attention the Canucks get, but it seems as though Vancouver fans and the rest of the league are starting to notice Hodgson at the same time. To his credit, he has been putting on quite a show.
He hasn’t ‘stolen’ anyone’s job, as many have suggested, for Manny Malhotra and Maxim Lapierre still have their own distinct roles on the team. Hodgson has just been playing fantastic hockey. As the third centreman behind Art Ross-winning Henrik Sedin and Selke-winning Ryan Kesler, he’s not likely to get top-flight minutes like those two, or even the likes of Nugent-Hopkins. You’ll never hear him complain about his ice time (or lack thereof). Instead, you’ll see him make the most of every chance he gets, quietly and efficiently, like he’s been doing for a while now.
The Calder Trophy would be nice, and Hodgson has openly admitted that. If he continues at the pace he established in January, then the award is not far-fetched. On a team like the Oilers, he’d likely be getting first-line minutes and likely be potting a few more points, but it goes without saying that if a smaller role on this team now earns the Canucks a much bigger piece of hardware later, Cody Hodgson would gladly go without the Calder. In the meantime, however, enjoy the ride aboard the number-nine train; it’s only getting better.
SFU soccer star earned MLS trial
By Erika Zell
Is there life after university sports? It depends on who you ask, says SFU men’s soccer midfielder Josh Bennett. The transition between university life and a professional career is challenging no matter what field you get in to, but varsity athletes just might have it tougher than most.
Bennett recently returned from a two-week MLS trial with the San Jose Earthquakes. While he may not have gotten an offer, he insisted that the experience was anything but a waste.
“I was there for two weeks of training with the first team,” he said. “Unfortunately the coaches sent me home at the end because they think I need a bit more work.”
Bennett believed the training was similar to what he’s experienced under head coach Alan Koch here at Simon Fraser, but noticed a definite difference in the speed and quality of his competitors.
“It was the best training I’ve ever received. I play against quality players here [at SFU], but I learned so much [in San Jose]. The pace was so much faster. You always had to be mentally focused and know what the do with the ball before you even got it.” He continued, “it was a good experience. Now I know what it takes to make it at the next level and what is required of a player coming out of university.
“We trained twice a day; the morning sessions were more technical work, like ball handling or drills, and the afternoon sessions would be strength and conditioning exercises, or weights or stretching. The second week was more five-on-five games, with a couple 11-on-11 matches. I think the second week was where they brought in more draft picks and overall it was way more intense.”
Depending on skill and grit, would-be soccer players have several options when taking their first steps into the pros, and Bennett’s invitation to try out with the Earthquakes was already an opportunity that few new grads get. Many players try and start their careers in the North American Soccer League (NASL), said Bennett, which has a good reputation for being a breeding ground for future MLS-calibre athletes. “I’m looking into my options with various teams there. The players always move from NASL to MLS, and the standard is higher than just university leagues. It’s a good place to start, for sure.”
Another attractive option for young players is Europe. “Playing in Europe is different culture,” said Bennett, “soccer is life for so many people. Their system and the way they develop players is taken way more seriously there than here.” Bennett says that the European leagues’ investment in their young players is a big incentive when grads are considering heading oversees. “For my development as a player, Europe would probably be a good option.”
Even though he’s completing his SFU degree in education and sociology and has considered going into teaching, Bennett is looking forward to making a go of a career in soccer first. “I definitely think coming out of university you should strike while the iron is hot. It depends on the individual, but your career potential diminishes as you get older. You need to get a start on things right away. You have time to do other things later, and if you [got a degree], you can keep a lot of doors open that way.”
In the end, Bennett chalks his first pro try-out as great experience. “I was released, and it was an eye-opener,” he admitted. “Some players think they’re better than they are, and I don’t think I’m cocky, especially after a couple of weeks with pros. I know I need to work harder. There are weaknesses I need to address. I’m definitely not giving up because I didn’t get the first team.”
How do you bus?
By Gary Lim
Everything you’ve ever needed to know about someone can be learned from how they sit on the bus. A great man said this once. It was me, and though I may not have any fancy credentials in the field of psychology or even be completely sober right now, I have the utmost confidence in the my statement.
Let’s begin.
Before we even get inside the bus, we can learn volumes of our would-be rider based on their preferred entrance onto the vehicle.
If you board via . . .
Front door: You’re the go-getter type, and like Rosa Parks, you refuse to move to the back of the bus no matter what the shrill electronic fem-bot shouts at you. You are exactly the self-empowered dynamo who doesn’t take “no” for an answer. Hell you probably wouldn’t even take “No. I’ve phoned the police. Seriously, they are on the way” for an answer. Type A-personality.
Middle door: What’s behind door number two? There’s no shame in second place. In fact while those front door snobs are left standing when wheeled-chairs and snot-faced babies in strollers come aboard, you’re comfy and cozy in the middle rows — or maybe you’re eyeing one of those single bachelor seats in the part of the bus that looks like the inside of a giant accordion. Sensibility defines you.
Back door: Back dat ass up. The eternal pragmatist, the back door has always been a haven for those who just want to get on the bus. No frills or whistles for you, my friend. You just need to get from point A to point B — and some idiot decided to put point B on top of a goddamn mountain, in freezing snow. The number of fucks you give that you’ll be standing all the way down the mountain: zero.
So now you’re on the bus, and the hard parts over, right? Wrong, motherfucker. Now you have to figure out where you’re going to sit . . .
Window seat: You appreciate the finer things in life, taking in the breathtaking vistas as the bus ascends Burnaby Mount—no, really you just want a something to lean against so you can sleep. You’re tired, and you don’t give a damn where you get your 40 winks. You’re an achiever, you overestimate the amount of work you can do, and you suffer for it. Maybe take fewer credits next semester; those bags under your eyes will thank you.
Aisle seat: You’re a free spirit. You can hear the open air and wind call your name, Jeff. Okay so your name might not be Jeff, but I did just freak out all the Jeffs reading this article for a second. Anyways, you’re bohemian, non-conformist, and perhaps even a mild claustrophobe. All right, maybe more than a little. Maybe a lot; maybe the walls are closing in, and if you don’t get off the bus right now, YOU WILL DIE.
Standing: Slacker. You probably got off from your 4:00 p.m. class, “Intro to Beginners Applied Philosophy: The Basics”, and trundled down the concrete steps to the lower bus loop, because, man, screw going uphill. There’s all that defying gravity and stuff, can’t I just roll down the hill or something?
Okay, so now you’re sitting comfortably (or standing rather apathetically) on the bus. Now the bus can finally get a move on, right? It has been like 15 minutes since the beginning of this article and you are already late for your tutorial. So can we please get a move on? NOPE. Now you get to do things while on the bus! How exciting! How a person decides to spend those precious minutes of time is entirely indicative of the type of person they are. For example are you a . . .
Listener: You step on the bus, and first things first: your iPod is out of your pocket and your ear-buds are in your ears. You’re going to spend this ride just like you do every other one, in your own little world populated by you and the frankly embarrassing number of show tunes on your iPod (Mamma Mia, seriously?). So you’re an introvert, there’s no shame in that. Besides, the girl you’re sitting next to with dreadlocks and the “Insane Clown Posse for 4 Lyfe” t-shirt doesn’t exactly look like a wellspring of good conversation.
Talker: Hey you, Mr./Ms. Chatty Cathy — or, umm, Cathy (Cathy can be a man’s name too! Pfft, so close-minded) — you’re a rare one. Everyone usually just keeps to themself. But look at you, out there, chattin’ up random people. You are quite literally the life of the party; you’re the kind of guy or gal who, when the party is winding down, you wind it back the fuck up. But please take care in your gift of the gab, because your bus neighbours might not be so enthusiastic to join in on your conversation, which may get a reaction anywhere from a cold shoulder to them trying to choke you out.
Watcher: The watcher is calm, observant, and watching the goings-on in the bus as if they were their own personal theatre troupe. You have the girl frantically typing up the essay she forgot was due today, the too-perky morning person, the TA near comatose after grading 400 midterms, and the guy cutting a pentagram into his arm sitting under the flickering bus light. Actually you should probably stop watching that guy. In fact, yeah, avoiding all eye contact is probably the best strategy now. Maybe get off at this station and grab the next bus.
Well there you go: an “accurate” description of your personality based on where how you get on, where you sit, and what do you while riding the bus. Watch out for my next piece “What your gondola riding style says about you!”, which with the latest gondola delays should be slated for sometime in 2065.
Sweat it: Why you should be worried about your lack of exercise
Are you one of those people who ceased all attempts at physical exertion the moment your university career began? If yes, withhold panic: you are not alone. But panic, because forgoing exercise is (as you may have already guessed) a very very bad life decision with lasting damages. Instead of bombarding you with boring stats that you could probably find in a textbook you’re not reading, we are going to discuss the scary ramifications of not exercising in a, hopefully, motivating manner.
Self-loathing-induced body composition:
Inner beauty is one thing; the whole ‘love who you are no matter what your body size’ spiel is great — but not giving a shit about yourself and expecting people to accept you for who you are is a whole different story. It’s not about being superficial or shallow anymore — you’re just damn lazy, and being lazy isn’t going to make you feel good about yourself. Instead of just sitting around complaining about your body size, it’s probably much more effective to get up and actually do something about it.
Like Elle Woods from Legally Blonde said, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make people happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” While most (if not all) of the movie is ridiculously implausible, this particular quote holds some truth. Some. The University of Bristol conducted research published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management which found that people who exercised were more productive, happier, and less stressed than they were on days they did not exercise. Seventy-four per cent claimed they managed their workload better and those who exercised reported higher in concentration levels than those who did not. I think those are traits that the student population could benefit from having more of. People who exercise can feel the difference in their bodies; it make you feel physically better and also releases chemicals in the brain that make you happier! The University of Bristol shits you not.
Uselessness:
A major point of being physically active and healthy is so you can live your life to its full potential. By sitting around all day, you’re not just harming yourself, but you`re being a generally useless human being. (Sorry.) Imagine your future self out buying groceries: as you lift your bags, you complain about how tired your arms are, and you get winded going from the store exit to your car. If you’re only 30 years old, age is not an excuse — and neither is claiming that your groceries weigh 350 pounds (because then you’re exaggerating). It’s because you spent your early adult years sitting in front of your computer, sleeping in until the late afternoon, and traveling as few as six blocks by car. Your future self then proceeds to throw out its back, and your kid starves to death at home without food.
Just because a girl is small, and might actually regard herself as healthy and fit, doesn’t mean that she is healthy — especially when she has thighs with the same thickness as her wrist. You can usually make an educated guess on who is naturally small-framed, and who doesn’t do any physical activity besides holding out two coat hangers to compare outfits (0.2 pounds, so heavy).
Severe balance problems:
‘Bus surfing’ is a perilous endeavor wrought with twists, turns, bumps, and abrupt stops. For those who can’t get a seat, they’re left to hang on for dear pride in order to avoid losing their balance and falling into somebody’s lap. Yet somehow there are always a few people who just stand in the middle, knees slightly bent, fluidly moving in tune with the motions of the bus. You gaze in amazement and envy as this martial artist reads a newspaper, holds on to their backpack, and untangles their iPod headphones with an expression that could only be described as serene. With this brief loss of concentration, the bus takes a turn and you’re flung into the now very pissed off girl next to you.
Balance is a component of fitness, and like all components of fitness, it can be worked on and improved. Strengthening your core muscle groups (abdominal and lower back) as well as your legs can greatly help in preventing an accidental personal space invasion (re: fiasco). Going to yoga classes is a good, low-stress, way to start.
Cardiovascular impairment:
It’s been a long grueling day filled with confusing lectures, tutorials where nobody says anything, and a four-hour lab to boot. You can’t wait until you get home for a nice meal and shower — wait, is that the 145 at the bus stop? Frantically, you dodge what seems like a thousand students and rush towards the doors of the bus — only to see them close in your face. Waving to the driver is futile, and you’re left gasping for air from your 100-metre dash. Sweaty and now thoroughly annoyed, you curse TransLink with a fury equivalent to a thousand students trying to access course registration when SIS is down.
A healthy cardiovascular system is one of the most beneficial components of overall health; everything you do requires the pumping of blood and the transfer of oxygen. By improving your cardiovascular system, everyday tasks as simple as walking become easier. A lack of physical activity and a poor diet have been proven to lead to cardiovascular disease with symptoms such as clogged arteries or chest pains. Activities such as running, swimming, cycling, or dancing are both fun and physically engaging and can aid in improving your cardio. Running for a missed bus and catching it at the next stop is honestly one of the most rewarding acts of awesome you can achieve.
Bad circulation:
Winters spent on Burnaby Mountain seem more fitting for Sherpas than for students. Even when you’re gearing up properly with a warm jacket and boots, you might still feel the cruel punch of winter’s frigid fist. Combine that with standing around waiting for the bus, and you have a good recipe for not being able to feel your toes or fingers by the time you get home.
Proper circulation helps regulate our temperature, and good blood flow heats us up. Yet this is countered by the fact your blood vessels inevitably shrink in the cold. In order to help circulate blood back up from your outer extremities, your muscles assist your blood vessels when they’re moving and flexing. By working out your muscles and heart, and increasing the size and density of your capillaries, veins, and arteries, you can keep feeling your feet longer — even after having your sneakers soaked by snow, ice, and water.
Chronic lumbar spasm (AKA: back pain):
You’re hunched over a computer all day and studying at your desk late into the night; you have back pains and poor posture — does this sound familiar? After a while, these poor habits will take a toll on your back. Your lower back muscles will weaken, your spine will be stressed from being curved over all the time, and the pain starts to set in. Hunched shoulders follow, then neck strain and crappy flexibility. You started university at five-foot-nine and now, somehow, you’re five foot a-lot-less-than-nine.
Your spine supports many of your bones and muscles, so it would be wise to protect it. For a young student, back pain brings forth the image of an ailing senior citizen, but the fact is that like many health problems, prevention starting at a young age goes a long way. Exercising your lower back with squats and dead lifts will help with strengthening those poor back muscles. If you believe that you should avoid such activities because you have a weak back, don’t worry. With proper form, starting with a low weight, and working on your flexibility (and obviously warming up prior to exercise), there are minimal injury risks.
Hopefully this article encourages you to either stick to your New Year’s resolutions about exercising more, or start. Maybe it doesn’t feel like you have any time with a part-time job, a full course load, and a thriving social life you intend to uphold. But aren’t there some changes you could make? Instead of taking a one-hour study break watching Dexter, couldn’t you go for a quick run? Do sit ups on your bed, or yoga at home? SFU offers free gym passes for students, with a variety of machines and equipment (not to mention eye candy) to help you maintain active through university. Maybe you feel like you can’t afford the time, but what you can’t afford even more is low concentration, low energy levels, mood swings, and aches and pains that could possibly escalate to more serious ailments. Live healthier and live better; don’t grieve over something you could have easily avoided when it’s too late.
Geek Week Recap
Here’s what you missed at SFU’s Geek Week. With booths from the Earth Science, Chemistry, Statistics, and Biology departments, Geek Week 2012 was a huge success!
Dan Savage undeserving of protester savagery
By Esther Tung
“Please read this on the man you’re about to go and listen to,” said a young woman, as she held out a bright pink pamphlet with Dan Savage’s face Xeroxed on the front, and then moved onto the next person in line to enter the Vogue. The pamphlet detailed the Savage Love sex columnist’s various phobias, denounced his attitudes towards transgendered, disabled, HIV-positive, and fat people, among others, and also contained a sachet of potent glitter. The claims themselves didn’t seem outlandish, though I still took it with a pinch of salt, since I certainly found it hard to believe he was transphobic, having featured the likes of Buck Angel on his Savage Love podcast.
It was a few days later that I read in Xtra West that these people were behind the third glitterbombing of Dan Savage. One particular protestor, who dubs herself the Lavender Menace, said this: “[Savage] is part of a broader [group] of gay, white, cis-gendered, able-bodied gay men focused on gay-marriage priorities. We want to say those priorities are messed up.”
I want to say this opinion of hers is messed up, unless it’s somehow been taken wildly out of context, but since it’s Xtra West, of all publications, I’m sure they know better than to do that.
Dear Lavender Menace: how are a gay man’s priorities out of whack when he chooses to advocate for the issue of gay marriage? Same-sex marriage is not a right that only a geographically privileged bunch are allowed.
What is even more disturbing about this quote, however, is how Miss Menace can use the terms “cis-gendered”, “able-bodied”, and even “gay” pejoratively, as if having his gender identity line up with his biological sex is grounds enough for suspicion that he can well be ‘the enemy’.
Parallel to this is when feminists use ‘straight, white male’ as grounds for dismissing someone’s argument, or when people express their solidarity with the ‘voluptuous’, fuller-figured women by way of skinny-bashing, saying things like, “That cricket chick is probably just jealous that you have breasts.” This is just me taking a moment to be bitter about personal experiences, but if I have to hear a variation of “Real women have curves” one more time, I’m going to a shit a baby right into that person’s bathroom sink.
I am not the enemy of size- 14s. Dan Savage is not the enemy of transgendered people. In his talk, he addressed the claims of transphobia. He first notes that featuring adult filmmaker Buck Angel, and Kate Bornstein, on his podcast has allowed for a greater understanding of the transgendered perspective in the mainstream. He continues by saying that he, as well as other writers and bloggers, do tend to shy away from going too deeply into discussing trans issues, probably to avoid unpleasant confrontations with glitterbombs.
Creating horizontal hostility by attacking Dan Savage and handing out pamphlets to people who, by virtue of having already paid to see him, are going to be far less receptive to your cause anyway, just doesn’t seem like the best tactic, either way.
Trans activists have condemned Savage’s use of the term ‘shemale’, yet Savage claims that his own trans friends approve of it. What they see as insults, others see as accurate portrayal. Gender is complex and tricky, far more than the binary and our current language could ever hope to cover, but it’s clear that even those with a more sophisticated and personal understanding of it have trouble agreeing on the terminology as well.
