The Transgender Thread

[Hula]

I'm incredibly wary about this. Maybe my opinion's just unfairly coloured because the language in the article was a little problematic :|

If they write it carefully, then I guess this could be okay. I just don't know if I'm cool with any show that could potentially fetishise somebody's trans status. The fact that she finds out she fathered kids ~when she was a man~ (to use their phrasing) makes me think they'll be playing the comedic angle a little too hard at trans people's detriment.

I was going to ask why they never get actual transwomen to play these roles but then I realised there probably isn't a trans actor out there who wouldn't have a problem acting in something like this.

[theruiner]

Yeah, I don't have much faith in it. I think there's a really good chance (read: almost guaranteed) that this will not turn out well.

I'm glad it's on Showtime, though. That means less people will see it and I won't run into too many ignorant/disparaging comments/conversations (with people who don't know about me; my friends who know are entirely supportive and pretty liberal, anyway). I've been fortunate enough not to run into too many of those awkward conversations in my life (and the few I've had weren't much fun).

[Elke]

I don't know, the credentials don't seem too bad: Paul Abbott's approach is generally thoughtful even though the result is often shocking (and intended to be). I thought this seemed a fairly interesting premise.

Ultimately, and I'm coming at this from a completely different angle, visibility is important. Even if it's portraying stuff badly. Being queer myself, I've seen an increase of bisexual female characters in mainstream media and most of them were evil or slutty or troubled, or a combination of those. But amongst that horrible mess are The L-Word's Alice and Bones' Angela. Increased visibility will conform stereotypes, but it will also allow for better and more truthful characters to emerge. Or at least that's what I personally believe.

On a completely unrelated note, Ruiner: I always read comments, get pissed off and then have to shut off my computer to keep from posting lengthy pissy rants. Of course, your lengthy pissy rants would be awesome, so maybe you should just try it :P

[theruiner]

I don't know, the credentials don't seem too bad: Paul Abbott's approach is generally thoughtful even though the result is often shocking (and intended to be). I thought this seemed a fairly interesting premise.

Well, that does make me feel a bit better. I wasn't familiar with him. I'm glad to hear that he knows what he's doing and is usually thoughtful about these things. I know it seems cynical of me, but I just feel like a lot of people still don't understand trans issues. And not just that they don't understand it, but that they still look at us as freaks and the like. So it wouldn't shock me to have some pretty blatant stereotyping and/or making fun going on.

Ultimately, and I'm coming at this from a completely different angle, visibility is important. Even if it's portraying stuff badly. Being queer myself, I've seen an increase of bisexual female characters in mainstream media and most of them were evil or slutty or troubled, or a combination of those. But amongst that horrible mess are The L-Word's Alice and Bones' Angela. Increased visibility will conform stereotypes, but it will also allow for better and more truthful characters to emerge. Or at least that's what I personally believe.

That's a really good point. I still wouldn't be crazy to see some negativity, but if it leads to a more positive, enlightened general view somewhere down the line then that would be great.

On a side note, speaking of TV shows, Six Feet Under I think did an amazing job at presenting homosexuality and bisexuality in a really positive way. One of the many, many reasons why it's my second favorite show ever.

On a completely unrelated note, Ruiner: I always read comments, get pissed off and then have to shut off my computer to keep from posting lengthy pissy rants.

I actually really need to do that, honestly. I feel stupid getting into a debate with some idiot over the internet, but it's really hard to walk away from certain subjects (transphobia and homophobia being two subjects that I have a hard time not calling people out for).

Of course, your lengthy pissy rants would be awesome, so maybe you should just try it :P

E.A.R.M.A.S.

[Elke]

I should probably get into 6 Feet Under, I keep hearing good things about it.
But yeah, I think it's about allowing things to progress - but it's easy for me to say, because it's not me being misrepresented, I suppose.

[theruiner]

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission rules that transgendered people are protected from employer discrimination.

About fucking time.

[theruiner]

Oh, Christ. Bill O'Reilly is apparently upset that a transgender teen was portrayed on Glee.

I'm about to go to bed, but when I have time later, I'll have to try and track down the video and see everything in context before I can make a final judgment on this. But it's Bill O'Reilly, so I highly, highly doubt he was taken out of context.

OH MY GOD, SOMEONE BREAKING ARBITRARY GENDER RULES THAT DON'T MEAN A GOD DAMN THING. What's next? Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!