Word of the Gay: "Shim"

"Shim" is a derogatory term for transgender women that is akin to the term shemale.

Intersex Bashing on Fox Network

House is a popular medical drama that can be seen on the Fox Network. The program recently featured a storyline about an intersex child. The terms "shemale" and "freak of nature" were used to make reference to the child. The House character is usually seen as offensive and other characters are disapproving, and while the shows effort to discuss intersex issues is important, this sort of language is unacceptable as it perpetrates misunderstanding and violence against intersex and gender variant people.

Demand that Fox stop bashing sexual and gender minorities, and to provide more positive and accurate depictions of intersex people.
askfox@foxinc.com

Word of the Gay: "Shemale"

"Shemale" is a term mostly used as a slur against transgender, and pre-operative transsexuals. A "shemale" is a biological male who has gone through partial transition to present as female. They usually have breasts but still maintain male genitalia. The term rarely but sometimes is used to describe intersex people as well. As with other reclaimed words, "shemale" has been used by some trans people as a form of self-empowerment.