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Tranny is a slang term used chiefly to describe people who are transgender, transsexual, wearing drag, transvestites, or cross-dressers. The term is considered a slur by some transgender activists, such as Roz Kaveney. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) state that the term is "usually considered offensive and/or defamatory" by members of the transgender community. The trans and drag performer community is believed to have originated the term. When asked whether he is bothered by the word “tranny,” drag queen RuPaul responded by saying, “No! I love the word tranny.”
According to Kate Bornstein, a popular and controversial trans writer and performer, the word originated in Sydney, Australia, and was intended to unite trans people and drag queens under an umbrella term.