Melbourne drag queen speaks out
The Melbourne drag queen who appeared in a Libra tampon advertisement that has sparked international outrage for being ‘transphobic’ has spoken out about his involvement.
The advertisement has this week been pulled from New Zealand television following a backlash.
In a message on his Facebook page Sandee Crack said he is the victim of “dragphobia” and has been unnecessarily attacked.
Crack said he was not portraying a transgender woman in the advertisement and is hurt by some of the criticism.
“I am in fact a gay man that dresses in drag as a performer. I have been doing so for many years… I have never considered myself to be transgendered and never will do,” Crack said.
“I was presented with the Libra commercial and saw it as a great opportunity to participate in a positive step towards acceptance for drag queens and gay men among the wider community.
“Libra [was] both sensitive, professional and accepting of my needs as a drag queen and as a gay man throughout the production process. I never felt for one moment that I would be depicted as a trans woman, nor do I believe that I have been.”
Crack, who said he’d received support from trans, gay and straight people around the world, said conscious decisions were made during the advertisement’s shoot to keep his underarm hair and a strapless dress was chosen to accentuate his broad shoulders.
“If you look carefully you will notice my stubble is slightly visible,” Crack said.
“They also ensured I looked much taller than the girl next to me. I was shown the ad prior to release and I was thrilled with it.
“I believe strongly that by putting a drag queen into the mainstream media, we are one step closer to acceptance and this is something I am very proud to be part of.”
Crack said he supports the trans community in their fight for acceptance
“Unfortunately a small portion of the trans community have chosen to view the ad as a personal attack on their fight to be viewed as equal women within society. This is a fight I also feel strongly about and I hope to help educate the wider community on.”
“However, I feel hurt that representing myself as a drag queen on television and playing out a common place scenario in my life has lead to a clear “dragphobia” among some transgendered individuals who wish to pull the plug on something that reflects true honesty about the life of a drag queen.
“A drag queen is a man in women’s clothing and if that offends a trans woman I am afraid I cannot apologise, as by doing so I am apologising for being me.”
Michael – you might not see this as I’m late to the conversation.
But I’m an FTM, and yes, taking testosterone to transition stops us from getting periods and getting pregnant. And whilst I can’t speak for MTF people, those I have spoken to would LOVE to be able to get pregnant. As a transguy, I’d LOVE to be able to get someone else pregnant. (Not going to happen though, sadly).
Trans folk are just like lots of other folk, in terms of wanting to have children.
I’m not up on the best resources for learning about transwomen, but for transguys, google Dude Magazine. It’s an excellent resource.
how does prejudistic verbal bashing to suppress the rights of a drag queen to be seen on television become a positive step towards acceptance of transgenders? I only saw the advert a few times, just another boring advert that had a typical drag queen in it. Wasn’t even that funny. As a trans person, I’m offended by all the arguing and pretending that the advert mis-represents me when it clearly has nothing to do with me. there is a performing drag queen in it and nothing more. I just can’t accept that suppressing the image of a drag queen as a positive step towards the human rights and acceptance. It does not seem to sit right in my humble little brain.
All the ad needed was for the drag queen to get a Libra out of her evening bag with a huge smile as well! Then it would have been amusing!
Bullying starts with negative attitudes which, when expressed publicly, are made acceptable through jokes and mockery. The Libra advertisement crosses that line. It implies that some people are somehow less worthy than others, and we all – trans, drag, gay, straight, male, female, whoever – should acknowledge this fact and work out how to move forward together.
I wish to complain about all the adverts that show hetrosexual couples on television. Discriminates against the gay community. I also wish to complain about the adverts that show brunettes. discriminates against blondes. Stop being so precious and start being political incorrect.
Cathii I can’t work out if you’re saying 100% of mtfs would take on menstruation or 100% wouldn’t.
If you’re saying 100% “couldn’t” then that’s a biological barrier that stands to be broken down by science sometime in the future – just look at what has been achieved so far in the creation of children by alternate means, and then try to convince anyone that those born as men will not one day bear children. That will show you which gay mean really don’t support you.
I was not proposing menstruation as a barrier to transgender, I was genuinely asking how important the ability to bear children is to an mtf, and whether ftms give it up as part of their transition?
From my perspective the trans community is willing to express loudly how misunderstood they feel, but faced with genuine questions (and mine are, you’ll have to trust me on that) their message is not really getting through the wounded, misunderstood facade.
Can you suggest some reading material or a website with more information so that I can understand more about the issue ?
“If actual menstruation was a compulsory requirement of mtf transgendering, I genuinely wonder how many mtfs would take it on?” – Michael
That would mean a uterus and the chance to get pregnant. In that case I would put the number as close to 100% as it gets. If you think that would be a barrier to MtF transwomen then that shows just how little gay men actually know about the “t” in the LGBt acronym (yes the t is in lower case cause so many of you seem to ignore it anyway)
“I believe strongly that by putting a drag queen into the mainstream media, we are one step closer to acceptance and this is something I am very proud to be part of.” – Sandee Crack
So Sandee, in the ad you were portrayed as bitchy, overly competitive and ultimately the loser of the competition. I would like your input as to how portraying drag queens as bitchy, overly competitive losers brings you one step closer to acceptance? Please be honest, just say you did it for the money.
If actual menstruation was a compulsory requirement of mtf transgendering, I genuinely wonder how many mtfs would take it on? Do ftms stop menstruating as part of their ftm transgendering? I get it that the trans community feels misunderstood on this issue – perhaps there are some out there willing to enlighten us?
Sandee and all that road in on you, our community is not you play thing. You should of given it up after the ad was removed. But you decided it would be better to keep the heat on the trans community. F*ck you very much.
Well done to Sandee for speaking out – and for contributing to his portrayal while shooting the ad.
I agree – don’t apologise for being who you are simply because some trans women don’t like being reminded that they can’t menstruate. That’s their hang-up. And we can all support their rights without caving in to silliness.
Sandy like it or not you are under the trans umbrella. Like it or not you represented the entire trans community in that commercial. Like it or not as a gay man you must act accordingly. But what you did was wrong and you are not accepting responsiablity for it. Your reasoning is or lack of it is what drives a wedge between the rest of the trans community and drag queens. Shame on you.
Of course there would be a backlash from New Zealanders.
Bus loads would be in the audience at Le Girls, and the first ones to walk out in prudish disapproval.
I personally go and make a cuppa during the ads on tv… apparently im one of the minority that dont give a rats
With due respect to Sandee Crank, I don’t think he “gets it”. This isn’t about him or how he portrayed himself in the ad. I’m sure he genuinely wasn’t trying to play a trans woman. However, it’s a sad fact that most of mainstream society won’t be able to tell the difference, and THAT is why people are objecting. In light of all the struggles that trans women (and men too) have gone through to be taken seriously, it isn’t hard to see how it can be construed negatively: “You’ll never be a REAL woman, ha ha!”
Many people see Male to Female people living with Gender Dysphoria as Drag Queens on Steroids. This kind of advertising campaign did NOT help that view.
Sandee can strip his wig off and go back to being John Smith(or whomever) but my long blonde hair is mine, my tits are real~I grew them myself~and my pussy isn’t a pet with four legs and sharp teeth.
I am a woman but I am one of the lucky ones I rarely get clocked, that is not to say I deny my history as what I was is who I am.
Sandee you say you want acceptance, acceptance of what … your stage persona? You are blurring the lines between Gay Man/Drag Queen and people such as myself who live with this condition called Gender Dysphoria daily.
Will you change your name, will you start living your daily life as Sandee Crack ~ DRAG QUEEN? Will you attend Family get togethers as Sandee Crack, attend your regular Job as Sandee Crack …. I hope you get my drift.
We change not just for a few hours a week but forever and your appearance in this campaign although I admit I LOL at first until I saw the damage it could do just did not help, it’s sad that you refuse to see that danger.
I guess that shows the difference between dress ups and real life!