LGBT in media, an observation

[KymmieL]

Moderators, I hope this is the correct area.  Well I have been noticing that some of the shows on TV have delved into the LGBT arena. A lot of shows that I watch or have seen ads for have a Lesbian or gay couple or romance in them. With that segment growing. But I have noticed that the  transgender spectrum is lagging miles behind.

 

Some series have had one or two shows on a transgender woman. (Law & Order, SVU 2. CSI 1)Then there is transparent which is almost a comedy.  I just looked at the list of the 8 top transgender movies available on streaming services. it seems that only 2 of the 8 only deal with the trans woman. the rest are trans men. While some media have brought trans parts into the mix. there are few compared to gay and lesbian. I can only hope that transgender starts making more inroads.

 

These are my observations and opinions.

 

Kymmie

[Jackie C.]

Nia Nal (Nicole Maines) on the CW's Supergirl (I'm a comics geek, shush) is a trans actress playing a trans character who is also a superhero, so that happened. It's getting better!

 

I agree you you on Transparent though. It's pretty heartfelt and treats the subject matter carefully, but it's totally a comedy.

 

Hugs!

[TommieAnne]

There was an Australian detective series called "Deep Water" that had a trans woman as a supporting actor/actress. However, the character was murdered about halfway thru the series. However, the character also was glaring non-passing, not that it's wrong to not pass very well, but it's like they made her out to be an object of derision. Large breasts (I'm told simply being on hormones for a year or 2 won't get you there), manning figure, a walk like a football halfback, and bright red lipstick against yesterday's 5 o'clock shadow. It's possible they intended to make her an example ("it's okay to be trans") but the character was acted well, and came across very sincere, even if the appearance seemed clowning and designed to mock.

[NB Adult]

Unfortunately there are too many in various media venues that thrive on creating sensationalism at the expense of all of us.

[OliverPerry]

I know about one or two but I'm not personally aware of many TV shows or films that approach the transgender subject. Gotta fix that.

I saw a lot of short films on youtube though. Of course, these don't reach many people. But they are still nice to watch. Although, most of them are incredibly depressing. Well, at least they're not offensive (well, the ones I saw that is). 

 

Discrimination agains't gay people has lessened immensely over the past years. It's still there of course and it remains quite serious in some parts of the world but it's getting better. Trans people have it much worse. There are even cis homosexuals that fall into the transphobic category. And they're not the only ones who have been discriminated against that happen to act this way. There's a cis theatre director (won't say names) whose work approaches racism. As a black man, he feels the need to continue a quest for equality. However, even though he himself has struggled with being discriminated against, he still made one of his actor's life miserable, forcing him to quit the show (this actor just couldn't handle the horrible way he was being treated during rehearsals). This only happened because the director found out the bloke hadn't been born in a male body and was actually transgender. 

I find this horrifying, the reality that even people who have suffered the horrors of discrimination discriminate just like others did to them.

 

I'm getting a bit off topic here. Sorry about that.

 

Continuing:

It's true that I do believe there are many series/films which use trans characters as if they were a fashion accessory that's selling at the moment but I also believe the fact that addressing this matter, no matter the reason, is important (if respectful that is). I mean, many series/films are made with the objective of making money anyway, doesn't matter the subject. Just look at the avenger movies. The importance thing is: not representing trans folk in a comedic and also offensive way. The story could be funny yes, it doesn't have to be depressing just to be respectful. I'm just hoping for cis people to start watching and also enjoying these series/films without the purpose of mocking. I believe this might help end the "abnormal" or "freak" (shiver) words that many associate with transgender people. Cis people should be aware that the truth is we are all human beings looking for happiness in life, no matter the gender we identity with. 

 

I'm not an expert on the subject, so I apologize if my words didn't carry much knowledge. Even though I've been experience body dysphoria ever since the age of 12, I've only recently accepted the rather probable possibility of me being trans. 

It's scary as hell and the cause of this is the ignorance of the "normal" ones. Media is a powerful tool and it might be a way to lessen/stop transphobia.

 

Let's hope for a better future.

 

 

 

[NB Adult]

Wonderful post Oliver Perry! I find that the most transphobic types are the one that claim to be liberal that claim and prove to be otherwise. Things are never as they seem!

[VickySGV]

I am actually on the margins of the Trans acting community out here in So Calif and have an Artists Manager through a Trans owned agency  I did background artist work in one Transparent episode and have auditioned for a couple of Trans produced, directed and acted short feature films that will come out after the first of the year.  In one of those films, Trans people are playing Cis people.  I did not get either part but knew both of the people who did,.  I have had on-stage time with my Trans Chorus group, and they have an impressive list of singers they have backed over the last four years. They have also done work in a commercial recently but I can't say much about it.  Add to my personal list are a couple of documentaries on Trans life. , I can say that we are making inroads.  I recently posted a link to a U-Tube interview here about a series on people coming out.  Look for a film entitled Death and Bowling In Los Angeles after about February.  If you are over 18, look for Tangerine which is a story of Trans life on the streets of L.A.  It is rough but beautiful.

At he minute we do not have a big library of major producer films, but the documentaries I was in won prizes and have been seen in about 6 countries.  The Chorus is up to six countries for its work, so stuff is out there but I agree not from the BIG international producers as a rule.  When the 2020 awards season begins, you may see more.  One of our Trans children has also gotten recent awards for a short film they were in.  I had a movie camera on me at TDOR last night, and it was fun but ho hum.  . 

[KymmieL]

That is great to hear, Vicky. That we as transgender are finally getting time in front of the camera we need to help us as a group.

 

There is a documentary about a transgender woman and her struggle. called Prodigal Son. In internet searches only thing that comes up is the TV series. Can anyone post up a link so I can view it. 

 

Kymmie

[Moira Arista]

I don't know if I this counts. While watching a 1980s sitcom called Gimme A Break staring the late Nell Carter herself a lesbian at the time of her passing I stumbled on a 2 episodes that pertain to LGBT. As if Gimme a Break wasn't forward thinking enough with a African American women caring for a Caucasian Widower and his 3  daughters they touch on LGBT in two episodes. The one that comes to mind is an Episode titled Melissa. Nell must find a women to accompany her employer at an evening ceremony as he receives Man of the Year by his Peers at the Police station. She walks in to a Store that sells and rents suits and Tuxedos. The Women at the counter introduces herself as Melissa Winningham. Nell Sets her up with The Chief. It is only found out that she is transgender and has had reassignment surgery after a deputy comes in and recognizes Melissa as his old Karate instructor a man by the name of Harvey Wallace.  She and the Chief begin dating.  When she learns from Nell that the Chief plans to propose to her, she comes clean to Nell. She then leaves. The Chief ask Nell where she went and Nell then tells him that Melissa was born a Man. The chief at first takes it badly. Then he mellows and says he really felt something for her. The other one is when Carl finds out that one of his men is gay.

[NB Adult]

Interesting, wonder if it's on Amazon Prime, I'll check.

[Moira Arista]

You  can find it on Youtube.

[NB Adult]

Thanks!

[Cheyenne skye]

Pose on Fox. Though I haven't heard if they have a new season coming or not.

[VickySGV]

Jazz Jennings has recently appeared in a short film named Denim according to her mother. 

[Maid In Bedlam]

Face the fact the population of transgender people is extremely small when you gauge it against a population in general. Where homosexuality is far more represented Because is is far more widespread. The amount of television and cinema gauged at the transgender community reflects the statistics.

There is not many because there is not many so to speak.

 

However. In the UK there has been some very good documentaries regarding transition etc. Done with taste and dignity.
"The making of me" being one of them.

 

Another contributing factor is perhaps those who have completed there transition no longer want to be known as trans. There was a very good television comedy a few years ago that starred  actress Rebecca Root. It was called boy meets girl. Who had completed transition The fact that she had once been male was perhaps mentioned once or twice in the series and only when it was needed.
Rebecca has been in a few UK television series. But the trans side wasn't even mentioned.

Also a Dectetive series called Baptiste which had Talisa Garcia. Very gritty and quite a good watch.

 

Also. Perhaps the people that produce these shows are maybe not as proactive at seeking Trans actors and actresses to appear. Unless it is a documentary regarding real lives and not a drama or such like. I can't say I have ever seen a call for aspiring trans people on any forum or indeed anywhere which I ever visited asking for people from the community to try out for a show. I know a few actors that I have met at functions and dinner parties. Who are tried out for roles overlooking anyone else who may consider themselves for the part because of there popularity If they were trans they were very good at hiding it. Let's face facts. There are many aspiring actors or actresses among the trans community who will never get their chance. Therefore the pool of trans actors or actresses is very shallow. Also, as a rule, they will only use established actors or actresses for such roles for there scripts. because they can potentially make more money from those and not someone new and unheard of

 

It is mainly all about the money. Not because they want to promote the community as a whole.

 

Personally, if the money was right I would try acting as a career. But I doubt anyone would want a Miserable old drama queen like me on there set.?

[VickySGV]

10 hours ago, Maid In Bedlam said:

Personally, if the money was right I would try acting as a career. But I doubt anyone would want a Miserable old drama queen like me on there set.

 

The two parts I auditioned for were the parts of Cis women in their late 60's on up and were both bossy old girls.  My friends who got the jobs were type cast, since that is what they are IRL, but I love them anyway!!