The majority of those who engage in media covering transgender topics voice an opinion that they would like to see it open up more. That until now transgender media has been limited, by a transgressive outing that only shows a few types of personalities. In this article, I will be examining Television, the Internet and a new development in the UK, called Transgender Media Watch. The article is intended to suggest that transgender personalities are diverse, and while discrimination is vast, our personal success stories, especially after transition stages are complete, can and ought to make a contribution to the world of media that is supportive, reinforcing, and shows and tells of our assets in a positive framework, frame of reference, and positive frame of mind.
Laverne Cox is the star of the Netflix television program “Orange is the New Black.” many viewers who follow and support her, view Cox as a civil rights spokesperson. Many people feel that the transgender voice is limited to a few role models and that in general transgender portraits in media need a lot of improvement in differentiating personality types that reinforce the lives we live and the dynamic multi-faceted views of the stories we have to tell. While Caitlynn Jenner is a TV role model, many who follow her fear that she may not keep up to par with the struggles we face in our daily lives and the political arena. Jazz Jennings, “Transparent” and “Sense8” just about cover the forum for which Private Television is covering the broadest range of Transgender Influence. Many people who view transgender-themed television series face a skepticism they cannot avoid. There is too much affiliation with the criminal mind and criminal behavior. Too much hetero-normativity, and not enough of what is being termed as a transgender normativity. Whereby, transgender success stories, our daily lives, gaining employment, and overcoming grievances make up a large part of the transgender stories viewers would like to see more of. I concur that a transgender normativity ought to be instilled in the media to avoid stereotyping and to portray us as real people living real lives.
Facebook and Tumblr got wrapped in a discussion as transgender resources, that can be supportive on the internet. While Tumblr was favored a little for transitioning issues, both serve as a vehicle and a voice that can follow, after an outing is made to family, to gain support from networks, and groups that can incorporate these testimonies into a new shift in personality dynamics. They both are genuinely seen as an opening up of storytelling, that can affect day to day lives, philosophical and spiritual approaches, that support the ongoing development of transgender personalities and the individual. Some would like to hear less about transitional stages, and more about what can be confirmed. The internet is a vast network of communication that can, and ought to be inclusive of the entire transgender community and population. As it is, the influence of networking, commenting and posting scripts, is an endless means of communication that offer support to us who live transgender lives, and are favored as a response that is effective. The Internet gains it’s advantage by discussing personal health crisis, indecision, alleviating suicidal ideation, and reinforcing our own belief systems no matter how far down we have gone by defending our freedom of choice in the aftermath of discrimination and persecution.
Transgender Media Watch, is a development in the UK that includes broadcasting, articles, academic and cultural events that occur in response to, and by the transgender community throughout the UK. It is a highly versatile means that has many followers in their transgender community. People turn to it to view, and to interact with others, it is gaining recognition and maybe a prospect in how the US can further their growth in Transgender Broadcasting, Interaction, and report viewing.
What is the protocol that is widely voiced concerning the need to expand transgender media? It starts with an account of personal success stories that many transgender men and women can relate to; it starts with a need to continue to support a transgender individual during, and after their outing. It starts with a confirmative need to stereotype our personalities less. Ours is a real call for transgender role modeling. “It Gets Better” was our first attempt at this, yet we often process the information we receive in a nonconforming way. Personal philosophies, of spiritual, and social implication, make for a transgender improvement that can and ought to be discovered more in the media. We need a portrayal that is less ambiguous, and more redeeming of our assets and liabilities.
More Information
Reactions of the transgender community regarding media representation
The Social Complexities of Transgender Identity Disclosure on Social Media
