I'm writing this because I'm worried that the media is going back to the "shock factor" age when reporting trans issues, or at least in Australia.

Today I noticed a story popped up on News.com.au (News Ltd, who I once worked for) on a swimmers girlfriend and that she was intersexed.

The stories headline was simple; "Swimmers ex-girlfriend was born a boy"

Now I could be wrong, but I doubt it, she was born intersexed, as stated in the story, however she was raised a boy, again, as stated in the story and in her teens stared to live as a female.

The headline is not only misleading, its mean and insulting.

A few months ago a man killed his girlfriend, before running from people and killing himself.
The headline read; "Man kills She-Male girlfriend before himself".

Now this woman had undergone SRS, had lived as a female all her adult life and looking at her pictures, was as much as a woman as the ones who walk down the streets of our cities.
The paper then ran several stories over the next few weeks outlining this womans past, if that has matted, she was killed by a man, not because she was transgendered, but because her boyfriend killed her.

What is going on these days? we had a radio station here in Victoria, btw, the number 1 breakfast program in Victoria by a long way use the word "->-bleeped-<-" on air, the hosts were laughing and then repeated it.
I called to complain, I asked to go on air and was told "its a minor matter and we've moved on".

We do see some great stories, but for some reason we keep seeing these headlines and stories in the papers, why?
Why all of a sudden are the media going back to the dark ages in trans matters? its almost a Jerry Springer type of journalism.

Wasn't Cindy interviewed by an Australian network? From what I see it went rather favorably. I agree though that most media lumps us with drag queens (not that there's anything wrong with them)

I have definitely noticed there is a enormous disconnect in the media and the general population between the emerging transgender "celebrities" and people like you and I. 

From my perspective, transgender people like Laverne Cox, Lea T, Isis King, Carmen Carrera, etc. are seen and "accepted" by the mainstream primarily based upon their exceptional beauty, their status as celebrities and/or because they are so thoroughly convincing as women...therefore the average person perceives them as "non-threatening".  However, this same "acceptance" does not carry over to everyone else.

Let's face it...the average guy would probably admit to his friends that he would go out with Carmen Carrera, or at a minimum admit she was "hot".  However, that same guy would also be the one to call out hateful comments and slurs to a transgender person on the street.  There is a definite double-standard when it comes to those who can pass (even if they are out) versus those who are obviously transgender and cannot pass as well.  The media reflects this mindset...and often reinforces it.

Again, I think it comes down to people feeling "threatened" by those who are different or aren't binary (or at least close enough not to be able to differentiate), and therefore are seen as somehow "less a person" than everyone else...but we already knew this.  My concern is that until people are more exposed to the "average" transgender person, instead of the runway models and movie stars, they will continue to have this unrealistic/idealistic image of what a transgender person is and hold this double-standard and these negative attitudes.

This is why I like role models like Kristin Beck...Ms. Beck is a great example of someone who is a real person with whom people can relate and equate with more "average" transgender people, not some inaccessible beauty queen.

Please, don't take anything I am saying as disparaging towards those who do or do not pass well or vilify my use of the word "average"!  I am just highlighting what I believe is one of the underlying reasons why the media (and individuals) can accept and embrace transgender celebrities, but still sensationalize, criticize or marginalize other transgender individuals or issues.   

Quote from: Wendywishes on November 20, 2014, 01:57:57 PM
Please, don't take anything I am saying as disparaging towards those who do or do not pass well or vilify my use of the word "average"!  I am just highlighting what I believe is one of the underlying reasons why the media (and individuals) can accept and embrace transgender celebrities, but still sensationalize, criticize or marginalize other transgender individuals or issues.   

Well, some transgender celebrities. Bruce Jenner seems to be on the rotisserie. I've seen speculation on the covers of everything from crazy tabloids to "respectable" celebrity gossip magazines. I've only seen covers. I wouldn't read those rags if you mailed it to me in a plain wrapper made of $100 bills. That may be the exception that proves the rule, (s)he's not an "A" list celebrity anymore, if (s)he ever was. I truly wish they would leave that story alone.

respectable: a respectable magazine performs rudimentary fact checking.

Well, unfortunately, it takes more than just the celebrity status to get acceptance.  I think because he is someone who was very well known before his (possible) transition, his acceptance will not come nearly as easily.  Those who come to fame post-transition don't carry that baggage of people being acutely aware that this woman/man used to be someone else (and being beautiful helps, too).

It seems "pseudo"celebrities who were not particularly well known before transition also seem to do better, like Lana Wachowski.  I think she is another good role model.  I think she is cute and pretty passable, but she is not a beauty queen.  However, she went forward and transitioned in public, despite her fame, and is still successful. 

I guess someone has to compete for and collect the mouth-breathers' cash. and sensationalizing trans* stories for the ignorami is apparently one way to do that.  It's disgusting, sleazy and wrong, but shareholders would probably have heads rolling if their gravy train ever got derailed. 

If we could just educate the masses, stories like this would cease to be printed due to the public outrage factor.

I think in general, FTMs have it easier as far as media coverage and subsequent comment sections. Of course, a sort of erasure of FTM identity comes with that. MTFs and even intersex women have it much worse.

Evidence of such media bias I have here in two stories from the same site. Notice the differences. It's stark and undeniable.

http://elitedaily.com/news/world/woman-finds-boyfriend-actually-born-girl-photos/849873/

http://elitedaily.com/entertainment/celebrity/michael-phelps-girlfriend-admits-born-intersex-photos/856949/

EDIT: I'm not saying FTMs have it easier at all, just in comment sections and sensationalist media coverage.

Quote from: Jill F on November 20, 2014, 02:45:24 PM
If we could just educate the masses, stories like this would cease to be printed due to the public outrage factor.

There is your problem: Education (or the lack thereof). Plenty of people would rather live as ignorant fools instead. Thinking is too difficult for them.