Transphobia on NCIS

[Guest 101remington7]

Ok, so I hope this is the right place to post this. So, I was recently watching an episode of NCIS, Dead Man Talking. I wasn’t really paying attention to the episode but then I heard ‘She is a he’ the TV drew all my attention. Turns out they were talking about an MtF and she was the main suspect. What bothered me was that they were referring to her with male pronouns. Also, turns out Tony (a recurring character) was on a date with her. In later episodes it is seen that his co-workers make fun of him for kissing a transsexual.

This episode bothered me and I was wondering if anyone else also has seen it. If so, what did you think?

Also, do you feel that there is a lot of transphobia on TV?

Jesse

[Sally]

Yes, I have seen it and it was disturbing - I hated the treatment of transsexuals in the media and especially this episode.

Donald Bellisario, the producer of NCIS (and many other hit shows including Magnum PI and JAG) heard a lot from the community about this episode and a few episodes later the jokes about Tony 'kissing a man' disappeared and the agent Kate Todd who had made the first jokes corrected the new agent on the use of pronouns when they were investigating the apparent suicide of a Naval Officer found dead in women's clothing - she made them use the correct pronouns.

It was an attempt to make amends - most people do not realize just how much the wrong pronouns bother us.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest *Brooke*]

I don't usually what NCIS, but I did end up catching this particular episode, and I found it to be rather bothersome. I am glad they attempted to fix their wrong doing though, but wrong pronouns aren't good.

[Guest Kelly-087]

I love NCIS..

But I didn't feel good about that episode.

I think my biggest concern isn't the incorrect pronouns, so much as it is.. that the transgendered people on that show (all 2 of them); One was a Cop Killer that stole millions from the navy, and the other killed herself just because 'he' (being a Navy Intelligence Officer presenting male) was questioned whether he had a girlfriend, and later dressed up and commited suicide.

It was nice that Kate in that episode did correct herself and explain, that the navy person was a female trapped in male body, and that over all no one really cared about the aspect.. But it would have done more to not present as suicidal psychos by included a transgendered agent or witness. Obviously the witness would be much easier and realistic to execute without enraging the trans-community.

[Guest Kelly-087]

I also want to note that the said cop killer gets her head blown off. Which is not a way in which Gibbs would treat someone he thinks of as a woman. (Pretty sure that Gibbs has shot women, but never in the face.)

I don't think it was transphobia but it was completely in-considerate of the community we have.