"Mister Sister" is a transphobic ballad, yet declared awesome "trans anthem" by Huffington Post

The Huffington Post has fallen in love with this self-declared "trans anthem" by Kate Pierson, but the video and song are actually more transphobic than anything else.

HuffPo writes:

"Kate Pierson is slated to release a solo album, called "Guitars and Microphones" and executive produced by hit maker Sia, on February 17, 2015. In anticipation of this release, Pierson dropped her first single and video for "Mister Sister" -- a track that she is dubbing a "trans[gender] anthem."

"'Mister Sister' is inspired by all who are transgender and LGB, multi-dimensional and still transcending," she told The Huffington Post in an email. "I hope it becomes a trans anthem, but it's really meant to empower anyone who feels 'betrayed by the mirror.'"

We're loving this new single from Pierson and as an added bonus, the video features Fred Armisen of "Saturday Night Live" and "Portlandia" fame."

By the way, that's Fred Armisen, who did the hilariously transphobic Estromaxx skit on SNL several years ago that was criticized by GLAAD and other organizations. Some have said Portlandia is also transphobic, but I've never seen the show. Meanwhile, Alyson Palmer, who is also involved in the video, has previously spoken out in favor of "women born women" spaces [and how trans women don't belong]. Those are some questionable choices to cast for the video, which would be plenty problematic if that's where the criticism stopped - but we haven't even begun.

NEWSBREAK: After getting roundly criticized on social media by actual trans women (and some real allies), HuffPost added a blurb at the bottom of the article how this video *might be* viewed as problematic, linking to this blogpost by Jamie Holland that criticizes the video and the song. That post is also on HuffPo, so nice job collecting extra ad money from all the clicks while keeping the discussion around what is offensive to trans people "fair and balanced."

Some people will argue this isn't a video about trans people specifically, and those people are derailing the conversation. Especially when a trans person says, 'this is offensive to me.' Even if the defenders are correct and this is in fact a song for some other group - then Pierson should not have called it a trans anthem. An anthem for anyone who feels betrayed by the mirror is not a trans anthem, but it *is* an anthem for trans appropriation when that's how you sell it.

"It's not transphobic, it's gender critical!" they might say. She didn't intend any offense, so trans people should be happy she's an ally and leave it at that! Etc. etc. etc. We get what you're doing. Stop before it gets to #notallcispeople.

Even if this is intended for drag queens, or genderqueers, or anyone who feels 'betrayed' by the mirror not reflecting who they truly are - then why does the song focus almost exclusively on appearances? How is saying, 'nothing hurts when you're a beautiful girl' getting the message of 'be yourself' across? I didn't realize hearing "you're a beautiful girl" was the best thing in the world - I've always thought it was something like being your full authentic self. Self-actualization doesn't start and end with appearance, does it?

There are much better 'empowerment anthems' (both in terms of message and production), like Sara Bareilles's Brave. Or Christina Aquilera's Beautiful. Or a dozen other options.

Meanwhile, Pierson's Mister Sister (and the music video) over emphasize being a beautiful girl, as though that's what trans women need to or should hear in order to be validated and feel good about themselves. It suggests all transition is about is appearance and how society treats you. The make up, the reference to fishnets, what is this, Rocky Horror Picture Show? Is that what a trans anthem is about? The stereotypical performance of femininity by men? That is what mister implies. Speaking of men, where are the trans men in this trans anthem? Oh right, they're not as marketable.

In the lyrics the song's subject grows up into "Debbie Delicious" (yeah, not touching that choice). Debbie's is the entertainment, which is why she's on everyone's party list. Sing and dance for the cis mainstream Debbie! Be fun, be faaaabulous! Cis folk love to watch and consume transness even though they sit by silently while trans women are oppressed in their day to day lives. But that's ok because you get to go to the after party now!

While we're talking about ignoring the problems of trans women, the video overlooks the experience of trans women who are visibly trans. They are less likely hear "you're a beautiful girl" - and they may even have trouble telling themselves that because society can be pretty cruel toward them. They'll likely hear many worse things instead. And if nothing hurts when you're a beautiful girl, what does that mean for those trans women who aren't considered beautiful and/or a girl by society? Are they just supposed to deal with the hurt? Pull themselves up by their bootstraps?

Because there is plenty of hurt that happens to trans women, even the beautiful ones. Cis people can be transphobic if/when trans status is made known, and sometimes that transphobia is manifested as violence - even murder (particularly if you're a trans woman of color). 

Finally, the title - it's obvious misgendering. While it's ok for someone to fuck with gender norms and pronouns, if this is a trans anthem about beautiful trans girls - mister doesn't really belong in the song. If you were assigned 'mister' at birth, you want nothing to do with it if you identify as a sister later. Someone writing a trans anthem should probably know that.

No thanks, I don't need a cis woman to write a "trans anthem" for me, nor do I need HuffPost or anyone else to declare it as such. The only thing the song says is what cis people think being trans is like. Although to be fair, maybe it also says what cis people are willing to do to make a quick dollar. You know, because trans is so "in" right now.