On Hollywood’s evolution of trans representation:
“I don’t think Hollywood, in general, understands anyone but Hollywood. What’s happened is that trans people have gotten louder. Laverne Cox is not asked to walk into a room and become a shy, petite, flower. She knows what she wants to say, what she wants to do, and if nobody will help her, she’ll do it herself. Trace Lysette doesn’t walk into a meeting with cis white people and squirm. She knows what project she wants to get done. These trans artists understand who they are. What all of us have done collectively is say here’s what we’re not going to do. So Hollywood hasn’t come to the realization of ‘let’s be nice to trans people.’ They’ve gone ‘we need a trans hooker, a trans guy dying of cancer, and a trans doctor. Let’s go talk to Laverne and Alex and Trace.’ What’s happened is we’ve just said ‘No, thank you.’ So what Hollywood has had to do is say ‘Gee, they don’t want to play these roles. Why don’t we cast them as neighbors or just people?’ Which is what we’ve been saying for the past 50 years.
Lorelei Erisis
This is a really nice piece and some of the most incredible representatives of the Trans Community!
However, this is the Transgender Day of Remembrance. NOT Trans Awareness Day.
I can see where the confusion might come from, this being Transgender Awareness Week. Still, TDoR has a long history, and if you are going to publish a tribute to trans folks, it’s something you should get right.
Thank you again for the lovely article. But please fix this.
Slàinte!
David Reddish
Thank you Lorelei. The article has been updated accordingly–it is in honor of the week. I suppose because I knew it would run today I got confused. I’m really proud to have spoken to so many amazing members of our community. It’s the honor of my job.
Lorelei Erisis
Thanks for doing that David! I do see the change reflected in the text. The headline is still wrong though.
And again, excellent article.
GreekKeys
How could anyone, especially someone who reads this website, not have an awareness of The Trans. You do realize you report more on them than gay people. You know, gay men and lesbians. The same sex attraction people. Remember them? The ones The Trans accuse of “genital fixation”. The ones being pushed out of Gay Pride events. The ones who’s pride flag has been made into some kind of joke.
Yeah.
We’re aware of The Trans.
When they take sport awards away from women.
We’re aware of The Trans.
When they take acting nominations away from women.
We’re aware of The Trans.
When they’re declared the first woman to achieve something when they’re not women.
We’re aware of The Trans.
When, with their outlandish demand to access to women’s bathrooms cost us the governorship of Virginia.
We’re aware of The Trans.
When they demand gay people have sex with them when they are, in fact, not same sex.
We’re aware of The Trans.
Trust us.
We’re very, very, very aware of The Trans.
Oh. PS: Please remove from your remembrances, those killed while engaging in illegal activity. Those people know what they’re getting into and the risks. They are not martyrs and making them so devalues the movement gay people have been building up for 80 years.
wooly101
Right on