Jeffrey Tambor Dedicates Emmy Award To Transgender Community

[stephaniec]

Jeffrey Tambor Dedicates Emmy Award To Transgender Community

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jeffrey-tambor-best-actor-comedy_55f83a97e4b09ecde1d9b4a3

The Huffington Post/Julia Brucculieri Entertainment Writer, The Huffington Post
Posted: 09/20/2015 09:05 PM EDT | Edited: 4 hours ago

"Jeffrey Tambor took home the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series at the Emmys on Sunday night for his role in "Transparent."
The actor, who plays a trans woman named Maura Pfefferman on the Amazon original series, dedicated his award to the trans community with a beautifully touching speech. This is the first time the actor has won the award, and he made sure to make it count."

[suzifrommd]

Still uncomfortable with cisgender actors exploiting our issues for fame and profit, but it's nice to know he understands a little about what we go through.

[ChiGirl]

Transparent is the one exception I have because Tambor seems to get it more than any cis-actor has.  Maybe we'll see if Eddie Reddymayne takes any cues from Tambor when he does press for the Danish Girl.

The fact that the production is full of trans people and pretty much every other trans role is played by trans actors makes me feel better about this show.

I know the argument is that trans people should be telling their own stories and I totally agree with that.  In this case, the creator Jill Solloway has a transgender father.  The show IS called "Transparent" and focuses as much on the kids as it does on Maura.  Jill is telling her story and her father's story.  I think it's a good mix that represents the trans community well.

Just my 2 cents.  I also think Jared Leto and the director of "Ray" can suck my (CENSORED)!

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[iKate]

Still uncomfortable with cisgender actors exploiting our issues for fame and profit, but it's nice to know he understands a little about what we go through.

It's a catch-22 because if you cast someone who passes well, they'll be basically the same as a cisgender person.

You have to find someone good who "looks trans" to play a trans role and that may be a bit difficult.

[ChiGirl]

And there certainly is a practical concern in that you have a character who has to be shown in male mode in flashbacks. 

But this is how I see it.  I'm old enough to remember when "Will & Grace" premiered and how shocking it was to some people.  Gay characters before were generally funny supporting roles or the butt of jokes.  Or they were characters to be pitied.  But W&G changed that by having a lead gay role who was generally pretty normal.  Yes, he was played by a straight and yes, there was Jack, but it was still positive representation.  And it's come a long way from there.  That's how I view "Transparent."  A good first step showing transgender people as basically normal, instead of jokes or tragic figures.  Tambour does play up the tragedy, but you know, that's Emmy bait.

[Joi]

I was at a stage in my life (age 66) when my perceptions of myself were changing dramatically. After the end of  a marriage of 38 years, which had nothing really to do with my being Trans., by chance, a friend told me that I should watch this show.  I had no idea what to expect, but I followed her suggestion.  As I watched each episode, I saw myself as in a mirror.  Divorced, 3 grown children, retired and free to determine my future unencumbered by anyone or anything. It was "Transparent" that said to me "It's time" Go for it with gusto.  You deserve this!  And so I did. I am finally free of the guilt, shame & fear that I have carried for over 50 yrs. This feels soooo good and right!  Thanks Jill Solloway for bringing me home.

[BunnyBee]

I felt like they (he and Jill Soloway) were patting themselves on the back for helping trans people maybe a little too much in their speeches, but still, it's good.  Far better than when Jared Leto didn't even acknowledge us.

The show, other than Tambor, has all trans people playing trans people, and hired a trans woman to the writing staff for next season. I think they really do try to do right by us.

[Peep]

And there certainly is a practical concern in that you have a character who has to be shown in male mode in flashbacks. 

For Orange is the New Black they cast Laverne Cox's twin brother to play her character pre-transition.

I think if they can make Eddie Redmayne into Lili Elbe they can make a trans actor/ess look convincingly opposite. It'll take a pretty tough trans actor/ess to do it tho... being taken back in time...

[ChiGirl]

For Orange is the New Black they cast Laverne Cox's twin brother to play her character pre-transition.

Yeah that was well done.  The producers even made it a point they didn't want Laverne to play Sophia's male self because they didn't want to potentially cause any dysphoria or other issues.  Laverne said she would have done it but was glad she didn't have, too.  I agree it would take a tough trans actress to do that.


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[Melanie ♡]

It's a catch-22 because if you cast someone who passes well, they'll be basically the same as a cisgender person.

You have to find someone good who "looks trans" to play a trans role and that may be a bit difficult.

Yeah because we need to perpetuate the stereotype that trans women are never passable.

[Peep]

Yeah because we need to perpetuate the stereotype that trans women are never passable.

That's a double headed one cause you either perpetuate the idea that transwomen are never passable or the idea that they have to be passable/ traditionally attractive to be valid. 

Side note: when will trans actors be cast as cis characters?

[Devlyn]

That's a double headed one cause you either perpetuate the idea that transwomen are never passable or the idea that they have to be passable/ traditionally attractive to be valid. 

Side note: when will trans actors be cast as cis characters?

Well, that's a double headed one too. If only trans people should be portraying trans people, then only cis people should be portraying cis people, right? Anything else would be hypocrisy.

Hugs, Devlyn

[Jill F]

Side note: when will trans actors be cast as cis characters?

How about Chaz Bono in the 2015 film Dirty?

[Eva Marie]

The fact that the production is full of trans people and pretty much every other trans role is played by trans actors makes me feel better about this show.

I know the argument is that trans people should be telling their own stories and I totally agree with that.  In this case, the creator Jill Solloway has a transgender father.  The show IS called "Transparent" and focuses as much on the kids as it does on Maura.  Jill is telling her story and her father's story.  I think it's a good mix that represents the trans community well.

I have rubbed elbows with some of the people that produce that show (very nice people!) and I was called to be an extra on the show recently (I was out of town at the time and couldn't do it). Some of my trans friends have been on the show as extras.

They go to great lengths to include trans people in every aspect of the show, from the actors, to the production, to the writing because they believe it helps increase the authenticity of the story. From season 1 to season 2 they actually increased the trans representation on the show for that reason. Opportunities for trans people in Hollywood are few and far between unless someone needs a stereotype trans actor like a prostitute, so Transparent stands alone in their hiring of trans people.

Jeffrey is not trans but his acting has been superb in the role of Maura. Judging from the awards the show continues to win that seems to be the prevailing attitude among other people too.

It's not perfect but it's a wonderful show that is doing good things for our community, educating the general public, and is setting a precedent for trans actors in Hollywood.  All good things. Lets be happy for the success of the show, because a rising tide lifts all boats 

[QueenSwag]

For Orange is the New Black they cast Laverne Cox's twin brother to play her character pre-transition.

Ummm WOW. How did I not know this? Haha.

Happy about the acceptance speech. So much progress! More and more positive portrayals keep popping up in the media, and the world keeps getting a little better, day by day.

[Peep]

Well, that's a double headed one too. If only trans people should be portraying trans people, then only cis people should be portraying cis people, right? Anything else would be hypocrisy.

Hugs, Devlyn

That's assuming that all people are created equal, though - I mean at the moment cis people have the upper hand. It's a bit like how people complain about white people jokes and call it reverse racism. At the moment cis people get away with playing trans all the time, and if trans actors were popping up in cis roles there would be more balance. If the only roles trans people are given are trans roles that's pretty limiting.

How about Chaz Bono in the 2015 film Dirty?

I didn't know about that movie lol