Calling Rapper Tyga Gay Reveals the Internet Still Doesn’t Understand Gender Identity
Rapper Tyga is in hot water—and not just because his most recent album only sold 2,200 copies. The main scrutiny surrounding the 25-year-old performer is of his personal life, with rumors of cheating leading to questions about his sexuality.
That’s because Tyga’s alleged mistress is Mia Isabella. Her career descriptors vary—from actor to porn star to model—but Isabella's identity as a transgender woman has further sensationalized the gossip. Since Monday, when the rumors—and screen shots of intimate text messages between Tyga and Isabella— began spreading online, Isabella's womanhood has been called into question on social media.
Isabella hasn’t confirmed a relationship with the rapper, but she won’t stay quiet about the attack on her gender identity.
“It's very sad that the idea of a man loving a trans person has to be considered a scandal when all people are equal,” Isabella said in statement obtained by E! News.
The emails, text messages, and nude pictures first posted by blogger B. Scott showcased an alleged three-year relationship between Tyga and Isabella—back when he was engaged to Blac Chyna and during his current relationship with Kylie Jenner.
Tyga’s lawyer confirmed that the nude images were indeed of his client but denied a relationship between the two, calling the rumors an attempt to "maliciously shame" him.
Sure, cheating is worthy of disdain, but the majority of the digs at Tyga are in regard to his sexuality. The flurry of tweets about the alleged relationship use derogatory phrases like “tranny” and “chick with a dick” for Isabella while calling Tyga gay.
So, Why Should You Care? With the recent wins for marriage equality and praise for Caitlyn Jenner’s public transition, the social media responses indicate that transgender women are still othered and misunderstood. Calling Tyga gay mis-genders Isabella as a man and invalidates her identity as a woman.
It’s also harmful to the men who want to pursue relationships with transgender women but might refrain from doing so for fear of a similar reaction. Laverne Cox recently stated she believes men who are attracted to transgender women are more stigmatized than transgender women.
Tyga isn’t the first celebrity to receive negative attention for a reported relationship with a transgender woman. Eddie Murphy, Deejay Mr. Cee, Hank Baskett, and LL Cool J have all been linked to transgender women under headlines that question their sexuality.
“If a celebrated man loves a transgender woman or possibly did, that's news?” said Isabella. “It shouldn't be news it should be normal for anyone and everyone to be allowed to love who they choose."
As for those still looking to criticize Tyga, his alleged infidelity and lyrics that repeatedly refer to women as “b----es” might warrant further examination.
Related stories on TakePart:
• Laverne Cox Has Best Week Ever: Eats Mac and Cheese, Poses Nude, Takes a Bow
• 5 Things Media Got Wrong in Stories About R. Kelly’s Transgender Son
Original article from TakePart
