If i went to a interview weirded out , # 1, I would look like Mimmi from the Drew Cary show,but no, more like her boyfriend. Know the term; Whats Boris Karloff doing in a dress? Then if i gave them a bad attitude, will they hire me because they would be afraid of legal action? NO. They would just run me out period!

mike c on January 6, 2010 at 2:37 pm

Who cares. Just as long as she does the job well. However I have my doubts, not because she use to be a he, but because Obama is such a screw-up in his choices.

Don on January 6, 2010 at 2:42 pm

Sorry but anyone who is that confused over their own identity is going to be even more confused doing ordinary things. Funny thing is these idiotic liberals continue to claim Islam hates us because we are wealthy when in reality they hate us because we accept and condone degenerates like this. The only good thing is IF we ever become a Muslim Nation all these people will be the first ones executed, and the ACLU, The Southern Paverty Racist Center, and the rest will not even be ALLOWED to complain about it 🙂 Damn Islam is sounding better and better

Martin Fee on January 6, 2010 at 2:55 pm

I read this site because I share some o the concerns about Islam. Primarily, I hate the way Islam insist on spreading fundamentalism and refuses to live and let live. Sadly, many of the commenters on this thread share that trait. It is her body. She didn’t hurt you by changing it. If she is qualified for the job (I have no idea whether she is or not) then let her do it. The hatred of homosexuality and feminism and… well.. anyone who doesn’t want to live by the 1950’s rules almost indistinguishable from Islam. I guess the difference is that you guys don’t follow through with your threats to exterminate those who don’t share your values… at least most of you don’t.

J: No-one ever advocated extermination or anything close. Nice try at hyperbole. I believe in live and let live and so do most readers here–we are mostly libertarian on this issue and on what people do in their private lives. We just don’t want it in our face. And being gay ain’t the same thing as getting your genitals surgically removed. That’s a mental condition. DS

Jennifer on January 6, 2010 at 11:22 pm

Mitch/Amanda is still…

Oh, I can barely stand writing this.

Mitch/Amanda is still… a man, duh!

Hector on January 7, 2010 at 3:15 am

“we are mostly libertarian on this issue and on what people do in their private lives. We just don’t want it in our face. And being gay ain’t the same thing as getting your genitals surgically removed. That’s a mental condition. DS”

here’s why you should reconsider:
we are mostly libertarian on this issue and on what people do in their private lives.(yeah right, won’t stop me from ridiculing them) We just don’t want it in our face (i.e. go hide in a closet so I don’t get offended). And being CHRISTIAN ain’t the same thing as BEING JEWISH (Jews willingly cut off a piece of their genitals too). That’s a mental condition. (i.e. put them all in mental asylums & work camps)

Miss DeMeaner on January 7, 2010 at 8:36 am

I suppose we should consider ourselves fortunate that Mitch/Amanda spent his own money to become a surgical woman. Imagine if he had been a felon. Then the residents of whatever state he was in would have had the privilege of paying for him to have his unit hacked off. As to Barry’s appointments it seems like up to this point most have been a failure. I definitely see a pattern here with Barry.

kenny komodo on January 7, 2010 at 9:14 am

No amount of make-up can turn this guy into a gal…and BTW — he still has all his equipment that God gave him! (And only added a boob job if those really aren’t padded bra’s loaded with tissue…)

YeahRight on January 7, 2010 at 12:51 pm

i hate you more than almost anything
my god, i hate you

you on January 8, 2010 at 5:05 am

also, do you really want your standards to be dictated by “Greater Arabia”

what kind of american are you

hurr on January 8, 2010 at 5:07 am

All right, sweetheart.

You are right in one respect: it isn’t gender “reassignment” surgery. You’re not “changing” someone’s gender. Someone who is transsexual has felt like they were in the wrong body their entire life. I mean, I would explain that further, but you seem like much too shallow of a person to understand how devastating something like that is.

Aside from that, this post is HARDLY a blog entry, and these opinions are hardly opinions. It’s just you quoting things out of context and making cute little comments about them peppered in “HELLOOOOS” and “PUH-LEASES.” Maybe if you sounded a bit more intelligent I’d be somewhat inclined to consider your opinion. No, that’s not true. Because I don’t care at all what someone looks like, because I’m not a big fucking asshole.

Not only are you closed-minded, a complete bigot, and homophobic, you are also sexist. And we’re a country FOUNDED on equality and equal opportunity, so YES: I don’t agree with Obama on most things, but I see absolutely nothing wrong with extending to Amanda the opportunities that are extended to ALL women in this country.

meaghan on January 8, 2010 at 11:37 am

I absolutely cannot believe what I just read. You must be the most closed-minded, homophobic bitch in this country. If you paid any attention at all to what Amanda said, you would have realized that what she wants is for her operation not to matter. She got her position based on merit and is simply glad that he minority status did not hurt her chances. Attention for it is the last thing she wants and I don’t understand why you can’t leave her alone. Maybe if she screws up her job it would be all right to criticize her, but for all you know she is the best qualified candidate for her position.

Also, do you realize you’re a hypocrite? You’re all about what is “natural” for the body, but do you wear makeup? Do you cut your hair? Do you wear synthetic fabrics or paint your nails? These are the same as cosmetic surgery, which you seem to despise, just on a different scale. They are modifications to your natural body.

If you are so worried about this country’s diversity, why don’t you move out? It would make it a much better place for all of us. 😉

You make me sick.

P.S.: Your writing is terrible. Also, never wear lip liner that is visibly darker than your lipstick. It makes you look as ugly as you apparently are on the inside.

Shellie on January 8, 2010 at 1:13 pm

“We just don’t want it in our face. And being gay ain’t the same thing as getting your genitals surgically removed. That’s a mental condition. DS”

1. Ms. Simpson is living her life, like anyone else. Her mere existence is not “in your face.” She didn’t come to your house and demand you examine her surgical scars.

2. Homosexuality was once considered a mental condition, too, but is no longer.

3. Her gender presentation has no bearing on her ability to do her job. She is qualified for this appointment, regardless of genitals, chromosomes or clothing.

You a hypocrite and a bigot.

Rebecca on January 8, 2010 at 1:46 pm

I am absolutely appauled at how viscious opinions are across the border. I see sexism in Canada, but nothing to the level of that in the United States. I cannot believe that you even have the courage to show your face on this website. I, myself, am only 21 years old but, I consider myself rather fair in mindset. Who has given you the right to decide how someone else feels?

It is my understanding that no person can see the world as another does. Are you really able to justify a claim that a man who changes into a woman is not really a woman? Have you ever thought that maybe they were born the wrong way? Do you not see the cases where people are born deformed and therefore, they are treated differently? I have seen numerous documented cases of a child growing up one gender when they are really the other. We are all human beings, why must a label dictate everything?

Furthermore, how dare you have the audacity to claim that a human being is worthless; judging solely on the fact that they wish to live their life as they feel fit. And do not even think of giving me some incredibly, ridiculous example involving terrorists or, some other criminal activity; none of that pertains to this situation.

Yes, I have nothing to do with America, and my life is not at all based on the decisions of Obama. But, if you will, take a moment to step back, possibly see what this looks like from a foreign point of view. Are you ready to lead the future generation back in time because the last I looked, my generation was turning its viewpoint to the future.

I, personally, have absolutely no care in what a person does to their body. It is their own body, not yours, and their outward appearance has nothing to do with their inward appearance. I know we could go on about social constructs and possibly banter back and forth about vocabulary or injustice, but I really do not feel the need.

If you even reply to this message, perhaps, in kind, you could take an oppourtunity to view this issue from the other side. Or, even use a different example. Such as a disabled person. Would you say the same things for another person who had no choice in the way they were born? I’m just saying, you cannot blame one individual, or group for being different, if you are not going to do the same for everyone else that is different from yourself.

Anyways, perhaps I went on too long, but it was with great sadness that I witnessed someone, from such an advanced country, filled with so much hatred for someone they have never even met.

Brianne on January 8, 2010 at 6:08 pm

What a hateful post. 🙁

T-Rex on January 8, 2010 at 7:21 pm

Wow, great to hear all these normal people commenting on this. Brianne: not all Americans are this stupid 🙂

And look who isn’t replying to anything we’re writing? Probably can’t back herself up with anything other than “HELLOOO?” “ZOMG, LIKE, NOT A BIGOT.”

You are a hateful, hateful person Debbie Schlussel. Can you sleep at night?

meaghan on January 9, 2010 at 2:02 am

YOU, are what is wrong with America. Not the transgenders in the positions of power but people like you.

I will pray for your soul.

cindy on January 9, 2010 at 2:38 am

Are you actually that ignorant?

It seems to me like you are trying to be funny and provocative to get views. While your post was hugely offensive and is getting views for that reason, any attempt at humour (and that in other posts on your blog) fall pathetically flat. All you have accomplished is saying cruel, senseless things that will give you brief infamy before you fall into obscurity. I hope you feel ashamed, this pathetic publicity stunt will get you anywhere. Go do something useful with your life.

Reiss on January 9, 2010 at 4:17 am

Well, she actually looks better than you.

Jacob on January 9, 2010 at 5:17 pm

The hatred and intolerance from the hypocritical bolsheviks and their brainwashed pc sheeple followers is amazing. But predictable. Anything abnormal is hailed as normal. Anything normal is to be reviled, mocked. These hypocritical monsters running the show right now, these self deceptive children and grandchildren of the genocidal, ethnocentric nightmarish ghouls who ran the USSR for decades have just about run the former US into the dirt. That so many people can’t step back and take a look at the big picture shows how stupid they are or how cowardly they are. Mr. Simpson is a mental patient who was allowed to run free and flash his perversions before the public. All of it charming to Rahm Emanuel and other string pullers for Obama the birdbrain. Comedy is tragedy turned inside out. It’s a tragi-comedy what the Marxists and their Trotskyite brethren in the neocon camp have done to America. What a bunch of cowards the “supporters” of these animals are.

Tyler Durden on January 9, 2010 at 7:57 pm

FREEDOM!!

I am politically and socially conservative. I happen to be a devout Christian. I expect other people of my same sect to live the values that the religion teaches…

HOWEVER…

I value human freedom above all other things, because it is the first gift that God gave to us. FREEDOM to be who we choose, act in ways we choose, make decisions for ourselves as we choose.

I may have views exactly opposite of Amanda Simpson, but I have no right to make her choices for her or to attack her for her choice. If I disagree with her choice there would be many more respectful ways of saying so than is exhibited here.

Also, I am mature enough and smart enough to realize that what is between someones legs has NO effect on their ability to do a job, whether they have had that stuff altered or not.

I am more likely to doubt her abilities because of my lack of confidence in the person who appointed her.

Are conservative social values so important that you would give up your freedom in order to impose them on those who disagree with you?

Seriously, a person on this thread said they would like to live under Shari’a law in order to keep “Amanda” from making such a choice about her body.

If you feel that way, go live in Saudi for 6 mos and then comeback home and tell me which government you prefer…

Freedom to be who we are within the limits of just laws is the most important and beautiful thing about the United States. May it never change.

So Say We All!

T. on January 9, 2010 at 11:06 pm

“meaghan” summed up my views perfectly, so I’ll just say this. You can’t be this stupid. It’s not humanly possible. I pray you’re just trying to be ‘edgy’ and provocative to get more views, because seriously? That you think how someone feels about their body or gender matters one iota is insane.

Another thing: She looks more like a real woman in that photo of her there than you do in the one at the top of your blog. You look like you’re made out of plastic. Way to talk about being a ‘natural’ woman. I wonder how many shots of Botox you get a year.

Sol on January 9, 2010 at 11:25 pm

Your opinion is as snide, cruel and frankly medieval as it is unitelligent. You obviously have no comprehension of the anguish that this woman must have undergone when she was younger, believing that the sex she was was not reflected in the body she had been given.

Just because you have not experienced this does not in any way justify the unempathetic approach you have taken.

We should be celebrating the fact that she managed to overcome the obstacles of discrimination and prejudice (NOT just keeping bra straps up, that final opinion almost had me destroying my own laptop with rage) in order to get into a job that she is obviously fully qualified to do.

your ignorance and spitefullness makes me physically sick

Martha on January 10, 2010 at 10:00 am

Gender Reassignment surgery is NEEDED. Insurance companies say that it is not covered because it isa “cosmetic” surgery. I’m sorry, but a boob job and a face lift are cosmetic surgeries. and transgender people pay out of pocket for these as well. RThese types of surgeries, whether you are trans or just want bigger boobs, i agree they should not be covered under insurance.

However, have you looked at pictures of ‘men” after they have had the life changing surgery? The vagina looks exactly the way a normal woman’s would. and no, they dont “cut off” the penis. they basically make and outie into an innie. The shaft of the penis is tured into the vagina. the nerves in the head of the penis are made into the woman’s clitoris. I recently broke up with my trans ex. she was a straight male, who is changing into a lesbian. and yes…she’s HOT!. She cant get the insurance to cover her surgery, and this is life-threatening. How would you feel if you were born into the wrong body?

You cant sit here and judge somebody’s job qualifications on the fact that they changed sexes. Idf she didnt get the surgery, she would be a different person. hateful of herself. my ex hates her male body and she’s only 21. Imagine even 10 years from now, she would still be hating hwerself, and might have decided not being on Earth is better then living in the wrong body.

Please look it up before posting nasty articles about something you know nothing about.

C.. on May 24, 2010 at 2:33 pm

“Greater Arabia”? You’re worried about what people think of us in the Arab world? Wait, which side are you on?

Westerner on August 25, 2010 at 9:52 pm

Across the street from here, there live a family that went through lot of hardship. Some of them coped by going “the other way”…

Like Stephane went Stephanie and consider him/herself
a woman and play a very convincing act of being
a charming vamp. We hired “her” often to help the wife
do catering…however, when the real girls have to move
a heavy marmite, guess who is asked to do the carrying,
the one with the big shoulders and muscles!!!

Conversely his/her sister, joined the Canadian army,
went to the “Stans” and even was in those sniper
units shooting them 50caliber cannons…She also went the other way and play the role of the cursing stevedore…
So convincing that I hired her as a helper-copilot on my bush plane.

However again, when time came to help me loading 50 gal
barrels of diesel fuel, I found the drums getting heavier and heavier as He/She helped me roll them in and lift them standing in the plane. So, one time, I just let go and sure enough the barrel fell back on the floor…yup,
she was just pretending to lift with me…no wonder, a
woman is just not build for that kind of stress!

So, there you go, boys and girls, play girls and boys all you want, but remember it’s all a game, went reality hit,
when rubber hit the road, you may be disappointed!!!

Ming the Merciless on January 19, 2011 at 6:02 pm

Mitch, I camped with you and your family growing up and you are a freak. Gelfands were normal and you never fit in buddy. How does it feel now to be cousin IT.

bert on February 13, 2011 at 3:31 pm

What an amazing bunch of mean spirited bastards on this site. Interesting to hear all the ranting about “Marxists”, “communists”, “socialists” etc from people who wouldn’t know a socialist from a Presbyterian but love to hate. That’s the story of the far right theofascists in this country: fear, hate and ignorance. Archie Bunker meets John Birch. From people who actually still think that George Bush was intelligent and not just Cheney’s puppet and a shill for the rich.

Bob on August 12, 2011 at 11:07 am

These people are mentally ill, and “gender reassignment surgery” is NOT the cure for whatever ails them. Neither is government employment.

1389AD on August 11, 2012 at 9:43 am

Debbie,
I appreciate your work and enjoy reading your articles. I knew nothing of Amanda Simpson until now. I can’t applaud her nor criticize her in terms of her work since I know nothing of it.
Must you savage her because of her trans status? It is a medically recognized condition throughout the world, including Israel. There are a number of other related conditions such as AIS (Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome)which results in a biologically MALE person being born anatomically FEMALE, usually with testes inside instead of ovaries. I’m not saying you have to personally sanction the path she’s chosen. If she’s lousy on the job, fine, criticize her for that. But, don’t savage her for a situation/circumstance/condition that you yourself have never confronted personally or in your family.

Anyway, I very much appreciate your work … Take Care 🙂

Todd on August 20, 2012 at 4:54 pm

there’s a colleague here at BMW named “Frankie” who is clearly a dude with make-up and long half-balding hair and a deep voice. I don’t know, or want to know, if Frankie has had any surgery or hormone treatment, but i don’t think so.

if anything, i feel sorry for this guy/chick but at the same time limit my contact with him/her because it’s so uncomfortable for me to pretend he/she is normal and painful to look at. i never use his/her preferred Frankie name, or Frank, I just avoid the name usage altogether.

kirche61 on June 9, 2014 at 12:24 pm