All about me…
gudbuy t’jane is my blog about gender, queerness, politics, and culture. I’m a 41 year old white queer trans woman who transitioned a couple of decades ago. I believe trans activism is just one component of the social justice movement, and as such I do work across a spectrum of causes. In the life I lead when not blogging I’m a polyamorous anarchist and invested in progressive communities and collective approaches to living.
My trans politics insist on centering the discourse of trans women’s experience in the actual lived experience of trans women. While this would seem a basic right and one intrinsic to queer communities it is not the case, and as such the struggle for trans rights is a persistent one.
gudbuy t’jane is from a song by 1970′s glam rock band Slade, named “Gudbuy T’Jane.” The username has no secret meaning beyond my love of the intersections of glitter, guitars, and platform boots, and the fact thinking up usernames is hard. My real name isn’t even Jane (it’s A).
Hello Gudbuyt’jane,
My name, or one of them, is Pax. I happened across your blog and was hoping you might be able to help me. I am on an e-mail list for the Hellenic Polytheist community, and there is a discussion on there of fellow Hellenic Polytheist and Transwoman Jessica Orsini, who is the Democratic Alderwoman in Missouri, the main discussion was Pagan and Neo-Pagan elected officials and the times how they are a changin…. one of the posters on there raised the question of why a transperson would identify as Trans…. his confusion seemed to be if your going to go through all that to be a woman (or a man) why identify as Trans as opposed to Woman?
I was hoping you might be able to address this that I might share your response?
Thank You,
Pax
Well, I’ll add this disclaimer to anything I have to say: I am just one woman, so my experience and opinions only apply to me.
I suppose, for me, trans is a label that I would never be able to voluntarily leave behind, because our culture is cis-dominant and enforces identities to marginalize. In response to that, and after years of being shamed for being trans, I reclaimed it for myself, in a way, as something I am proud of. It is central to my experience and has shaped my response to the world.
So, while I am a woman, and that doesn’t need the qualifier, “trans” is something that describes me in ways I am proud of, so I continue to use it.
(Note: In general, this article is a good starting point for Trans 101 information.)
I see you on a lot of blogs’ comment section, and I always wonder how to pronounce your name. Is it like “Good bye to Jane”?
Haha, sorry if this is a stupid question.
Not at all! :) Yes, it’s pronounced ‘Goodbye to Jane.’
I think you’re wonderful and intelligent (sorry to fangirl on you) — I linked to your blog here: http://unicornjones.blogspot.com/2010/03/lady-gaga-perpetuates-transphobia.html
Hey, thank you! I’ll never complain about people saying nice things about me. And thank you forever for leading me to the hipster puppies link on your blog.
Hi gudbuyt’jane!
I was thinking about sending a glam rock album to you for review… Would you be interested? Let me know an email addy! :) Thanks
I was just going to search this video. I LOVE YOU, SWEET JANE!
(yeah…I’m 50)
@Pax: I’ve had occasion to think this analogy for a year with some heavy issues of gender identity and gender “preference” (cismale hetreronormative presentation) between me and my T-girlfriends.
To deny your “Trans” would be as pointless as me getting a long lusted-for opportunity to tour and play in the UK and denying that I’d ever heard of Chuck Berry or Little Richard. Note my thumbnail and see my comments on Slade.
@April: It’s pronounced EXACTLY as Noddy Holder sings it. Gawd…I’ve been saying it almost as long as he has!