Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Spanish Calendar Features Transgender Models as Virgin Mary


COGAM, the Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual Association of Madrid, has released a calendar in Spain to promote awareness. Unlike most calendars, this calendar is chock full of transgender models posing as the Virgin Mary. The calendar also offers secular alternatives to religious holidays such as Christmas.

One example of this is "Wherever it's noted that December 25 is Christmas, a candy sweet should be eaten on behalf of International Democracy Day." Gee...and all these years I thought December 25th was celebrated as the birth of our Savior. Guess I need to get out more!

Condom use seems to be a recurring message throughout each of the pictures. This not only gives further offense to the idea of male-born people depicting Blessed Mother, but it goes against the Catholic Church's long held opposition of use of contraception. [Note: This is one place the Church and I disagree. If I'm wrong on the issue, I'll answer to God, not the Pope.]

Juan Antinoo, the Venezuelan photographer who authored the images, sees no reason why there should be controversy.

"It's not something that worries me, what truly is important is that the message gets out there; which is the importance of the use of a condom" he said. "They are interpretations of religious images, not copies," he added, "I sincerely don't think anyone should be offended by them".

If interpreting religious images using transgenders is something that shouldn't be offensive, then why didn't Mr. Antinoo depict transgenders as Muslim women? Maybe even Muslim women worshipping an image of a one-time female who is now male as Mohammed? No..... THAT would be offensive, right? War on Christianity has been declared on numerous fronts, folks.

The scariest part of this is that there are people out there who actually think that this is perfectly okay and actually empowers women. Don't believe me? This was posted on a blog that shall remain nameless. You decide whether this seems logical.

"The depiction of Mary as a transgender woman seems very natural to me. I really don't understand how it is any different than the myriad ways that Mary has already been depicted. I know that some people arrogantly think that they can own the divine. They don't want others to know that Mary belongs to everyone. She is the face that we see when we think about the feminine divinity. If Mary looks like us and the Creator deemed her worthy of recognition and respect and admiration, how could we worthless? In my opinion, depicting Mary as a transgender woman only magnifies her image and I think this is something that could be quite empowering for all women. "

How does a bunch of transgenders posing as The Virgin Mary empower women? Empowerment comes from within. You are only a victim of a patriarchal society if you allow yourself to be. Many women have been extremely successful in a "man's world" without playing the sexism card. THAT is real empowerment. I digress....

Just as we have chosen sides on the political front in the war on conservative values and freedom, we are reaching a point where we will need to choose sides in the war on Christianity. Attacks have come from Muslims, liberals, and, in some instances, from within church pulpits. It's like nothing I've ever seen in my life.

Christians have been portrayed as zealots and lunatics more and more in recent times, and the idea of religious tolerance seems only to apply to religions other than Christianity. I, for one, am fed up with having my faith ridiculed and the icons of that faith smeared. Our time to make a stand is fast approaching.

Big h/t to The Right Guy
[Author's note: Anyone who, for whatever reason, would like to view the images on the calendar, click here. I have chosen not to do so.]

7 comments:

blackandgoldfan said...

Personal: Why isn't the depiction of Blessed Mother in this context considered blasphemy? I, for one, feel it is, but that is just my personal opinion.

The point I'm making is simple. If Mr. Antinoo is going to depict religious images using transgenders, why just Christian images? Why not Muslim or Hindu or Buddhist? Is he afraid of offending those religions? Why single out Christianity?

My theory is that Christians today don't call for the death of people who blaspheme the religion. Those who call themselves Christians yet call for the harm of individuals in the name of blasphemy are not Christians at all.

Thanks for stopping by!

Ran said...

"Cisgendered." Uh-huh.

Gee, PF, what about a pseudogendered male, or a semigendered male, say like Dear Leader. Vaguely butch, but not exactly what one would call "he-man."

What about polygendered shemales? Blasphemy?

What about an autodisgendered male, like Chris Matthews? Hung his set up ages ago. All he has left are thrills ascending his leg... at the sight of a semigendered male. Could he play Big Moe?

All I know is that we have a weak, vaguely male "individual" playing God and Messiah. Enough blasphemy for one lifetime, I'd say.

blackandgoldfan said...

Ran: Why don't you say what you REALLY feel! lol

Wollf Howlsatmoon said...

Yup.....My Blasphemy Meter just Pegged, and yup, I was dumb enough to click the link.....

You owe me a bottle of "Mind Bleach", thank you very much.
Wollf

blackandgoldfan said...

Sorry, Wollf! Out of brain bleach. Brain Drano do? That's why I didn't click on the link to see all the images. Would've undone my lasik surgery.

Ran said...

Heh... Mind Bleach!!

You know, there are a few movies I simply can not watch for what I've heard is in 'em. It's the old maxim: Be careful of what you request, it may be granted. That's why I avoided the button.

blackandgoldfan said...

Ran: Smart move, buddy.