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In the words of the ferocious Elektra of POSE, “Focus, children! It’s time we remind the world who we are.” I’m @RaquelWillis_, writer and activist, signing on for #TransAwarenessWeek 
, and the category is trans representation. (THREAD)
, and the category is trans representation. (THREAD)
First, let’s get real about 2020. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, trans leaders developed mutual aid projects, caring for their siblings nationwide. In June, 15,000+ gathered for Black trans lives in NYC and #SCOTUS ruled in favor of workplace protections for LGBTQ+ folks.
Even with these wins, an epidemic of violence continues to plague mostly Black and brown trans women and folks. This year is considered the deadliest on record in the United States, with at least 34 trans people reported murdered.
In 2019, PRRI released research findings that more than 62% of Americans say “they have become more supportive toward transgender rights compared to their views” six years ago. I’m sure more and more authentic trans representation played a role in that. https://www.prri.org/research/americas-growing-support-for-transgender-rights/
More and more folks are also searching online for the unfiltered voices and experiences of trans people from the source. Recently, Google revealed that this has been a banner year for results on Black trans lives. However, we’ve always been here. https://twitter.com/Google/status/1306634445299101697?s=20
As @Disclosure_Doc shares, trans people have been depicted on the screen since the dawn of cinema. Most early portrayals were dangerously crafted from a cisgender lens. In general, it’s only been within the last decade or so that trans people have reclaimed our stories.
In the film, and in the culture, @LaverneCox serves as the glue between the past, present, and future of trans representation. Like many of you, I remember being fascinated by her appearance on ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK back in 2012.
Growing up in the ‘90s, I rarely saw glimpses of trans people, so I had very little idea about our lives. When OITNB came out, I was fresh out of college. It was powerful to see a Black trans woman playing a more fully realized character.
Laverne’s portrayal, in part, gave rise to what became known as the “Transgender Tipping Point,” a period of increased visibility of transgender people in Hollywood. One of my favorite cultural critics, @TrevellAnderson, wrote about it earlier this year. https://www.out.com/print/2020/2/18/its-time-new-tipping-point-transgender-folks-hollywood
Still, we are confronted with trans characters being played by cis folks of a different gender, feeding into the idea that we aren’t who we say we are. This damaging idea devalues the voices and self-determination of trans people and feeds the violence against us.
In fact, that violence is chronicled on POSE through the story of beloved character Candy Ferocity. Played by @AngelicaRoss, Candy, who engages in sex work, is brutally attacked by one of her clients. The heart-wrenching episode attempts to humanize our slain sisters.
But POSE is a watershed accomplishment not only for the real tragedies it shows but also for the pride it takes in the trans and Ball culture experience. One of the most formative experiences in many trans people’s lives is crafting a chosen family outside of their origin family.
Chosen families are sources of safety, support, and solace from a world that often ostracizes trans people. And POSE posits that seeing trans people experiencing love and care is one of the greatest ways we can undo the damage of ill-formed narratives of the past.
Works like DISCLOSURE and POSE elevate trans people not only as talent, but also as writers, directors, and producers. No doubt @JanetMock’s groundbreaking work with Netflix has inspired generations of creators.
Still, all is not perfect in the land of trans representation. The community continues to see depictions devoid of the reality of our lives. There are still far too many cisgender actors and creators who take it upon themselves to tell our stories and lack the range.
We must hold those who misstep accountable and continue to be invested in expanding the trans narrative. For too long, the experiences of transmasculine people and nonbinary folks have been largely ignored.
This year, one of my favorite portrayals was @TheoGermaine’s breakout character in THE POLITICIAN. They played a role where they were free to transcend their identity and have motivations beyond the typical “educational” tropes that have long plagued trans characters.
Further, Lachlan Watson’s role in CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA is fueled by the actor’s desire to bring their own personal experience to the fore.
In fact, trans masculine folks like Elliott Fletcher, Garcia, Ian Alexander, and Logan Rozas are transforming Hollywood. https://time.com/5686290/transgender-men-representation-television/
This is why we must elevate the work of trans folks. When you see a crowdfunding link or an article for an upcoming project, share it. When you have the opportunity, watch and discuss their work so we can keep the progress rolling.
Throughout #TransAwarenessWeek , let’s honor the work of trans people in front of and behind the cameras. We’ve seen some powerful stories told so far, but there’s always more. Let’s continue to expand the narrative until everyone can truly see their own story in its full glory.
, let’s honor the work of trans people in front of and behind the cameras. We’ve seen some powerful stories told so far, but there’s always more. Let’s continue to expand the narrative until everyone can truly see their own story in its full glory.
