As the transgender community is in the media spotlight at the moment, Oct 2021, I wanted to discuss the media portrayal of Transgender people and I’m going to discuss the difference between transgender celebrities versus how it treats regular transgender people and how we are perceived in the media.
First, let’s look at the celebs, and I’m going to discuss Eddie Izzard, who is a massive hero of mine, and a role model for many people. The way the media treat Izzard is completely different from the way the media treats regular non-celebrity trans people such as me.
Why does the media have two different opinions of a group of people other than elitism because of Izzard’s social class? I am no different from Izzard in my transition process and the way I am dealing with things, other than one person is rich and in the media, while I am not. Is there a bigger picture I am missing??
First of all let’s take the article written below, by the Guardian. It is hard to read this and not think the newspaper is holding up Izzard as some kind of, not only a god-like figure but some hero-type figure. Yes, I fully appreciate that Izzard does a lot of work for charity, (Applauds), and I’m not being funny here but, if my bank was such as hers then I would probably spend my time doing something a bit more productive than working, such as helping my fellow Transgender people.
Here, it is not Izzard herself that is my issue, it is the way, that the media, portray the rest of the transgender world compared to trans people like Izzard, Caitlyn Jenner, etc.
Even the way the media talks to trans celebrities is kind of condescending and I would probably take exception with some of the questions Izzard is asked in this interview for the Guardian newspaper. Especially the title, irrespective of whether she has boob envy or not!
If you’re a celebrity and you’re out as transgender then the rules of Media seem to be very different from those of your average transgender person in the street.
The way that we on the street, the so-called “great unwashed Trans people”, are talked about, and the way that the services that we require are portrayed in the media is also very different. There are many articles listed below where these services are belittled, berated, and sometimes paraded as unnecessary! It does nothing for the Media portrayal of Transgender people.
You only have to look at the political parties at the moment who are holding up Trans people in the way they held up other minorities in the past!
I’m surprised I’ve not seen signs outside B&B’s saying, Sorry, No DSS, No Dogs, No Trans. The press side with whoever shouts the loudest and the political parties can’t decide how they should vilify us, berate or belittle the trans community and the media are quick to report on these Trans issues in any way which helps them sell their newspapers/subscriptions.
And then we have both major parties in the past week having internal spats going on about Trans people with Labour MP Rosie Duffield spreading falsehoods about trans people (yes, Trans People are people) and this has meant she has been criticised by others in her own party for her views, but not by the Leader, Keir Starmer.
Then we’ve got the Conservatives, sorry Tories.
The party who have given a voice to the anti trans pressure group, the LGB Alliance at their annual conference in Manchester. No doubt because the LGB Alliance has given the Tory party money! Forget your principles, here’s some money! Or maybe I’m wrong and the Tories invited them there because their views/policies align with the LGB Alliance?
I will write about my view on the LGBA soon but I will state here and now, people should be able to express themselves, dress as they wish and have control of their bodies as long as it doesn’t harm others in any way. Plus my sexuality is no one’s business but my gender is visible to all, every day of my life.
I hate that the media portrays Trans people as freaks to be made fun of or have fingers pointed at. I have fought with my conscience about who I am and being trans for 47 years of my life and admitting to myself and seeking professional help has led to me 4 years later being the happiest, the most productive, and most helpful I have been in my entire life. A sentiment repeated by lots of trans people I have met.
The process I have been through has also made me Asexual and I absolutely resent the implication in the media that I am some kind of pervert who looks under toilet stall doors. Honestly, this is what transphobic people do, I’ve had it done to me!
Can you imagine now if the very same media which pokes fun at Trans people now held up the same stick in their treatment of our Trans celebrities!?
The media is very quick to “Out” celebrities but at the same time is also quick to distance these celebrities for the vitriol and bile they reserve for the non-celeb classes.
Media portrayal of Transgender people related links
Why we’re worried about the Government’s statement on trans rights legislation
Where does the British public stand on transgender rights?
1 in 7 trangender people have been refused care by GP in the UK
Labour’s Transphobia problem is only getting worse under Keir Starmer, trans members say
How to talk about trans rights
Think being trans is a ‘trend’? Consider these 18th-century ‘female husbands’
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/24/uk-council-europe-report-lgbt-hate-speech/