Dustin Lance Black Calls ‘Bullsh*t’ On Hollywood’s View Of Trans Actors

[stephaniec]

Dustin Lance Black Calls 'Bullsh*t' On Hollywood's View Of Trans Actors

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dustin-lance-black-when-we-rise_us_5894f857e4b09bd304bb716d?utm_hp_ref=transgender

The Huffington Post/By Curtis M. Wong   02/05/2017 11:43 am ET

"Count Dustin Lance Black among the Hollywood heavyweights who are unsatisfied with the treatment of transgender people on the big screen.
The Oscar-winning "Milk" screenwriter is currently in the midst of a media blitz in support of his seven-part ABC minseries, "When We Rise," which premieres on Feb. 27 and chronicles the LGBTQ rights movement throughout history. When it came to casting the series, Black told PrideSource that he could officially "call bullsh*t" on those who say they have difficultly finding talented transgender performers to portray trans characters on film and television. (You can view the trailer for "When We Rise" above.) "

[Nina_Ottawa]

Interesting.
I was thinking the other day regarding "Transparent," which I really enjoy. I've heard or read some who are disappointed that they didn't hire a trans person.
I disagree. First there are trans actresses in the show.lwhy I think Jeffrey Tambors portrayal is so good, is because the show started off with a man, then thinking he was a cross dresser, then realizing SHE was transgender, and finally, wanting surgery.

I love the show just the way it is.

[patrick1967]

i think it depends on the part and the character. I have gotten into some knockdowns with trans friends over the issue, because my feeling is that if the part calls for something like Jeffrey's role, a fully transitioned and passing trans woman can't play it convincingly. Not sure how many "non passing" actors there are in hollywood, but frankly I think that the presentation of on;y "pretty trans folk" who could pass for cis does many of us who do not pass a disservice. We come in all shapes,sizes and colors. I'm just glad to see some parts that are not sex workers or villans out there

Additionally there are protections in California law that make it illegal to question an actor on their gender status or sexual orientation. So how can you cast trans actors only if you can not advertise a part as being for trans actors? How do you cast LGB actors in LGB rolls if you can not ask if they are gay? Kind of a catch 22 with equality protection