Elijah Luke Michel discusses the need for trans recognition, remembrance and role modelling in film and television as Transgender Day of Remembrance approaches (Wednesday 20 November).
I find it fascinating that there’s only one day each year – for those who are aware of it – dedicated to remembering the lives lost by people in the transgender community simply for being themselves. It’s nice we have even one day, but seriously! I do not take this token dedication lightly, nor do I the one day or week dedicated to mental health, anti-bullying and Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. It’s simply not enough.
In the 2020 documentary Disclosure, Laverne Cox stated, “According to a study from GLAAD, 80% of Americans don’t actually personally know someone who is transgender, so most of the information that Americans get… comes from the media.”
A lot has changed in the last four years. It’s fantastic to see more trans actors taking on trans roles, not only to role model inclusion and acceptance for trans performers but to educate the rest of humanity about our existence.
It’s equally great to see trans characters who are also gay, lesbian or bi – maybe that will help alleviate the confusion that society at large seems to have around the differences between gender identity and sexual orientation – every episode, every series, every film, educating and enlightening. It all makes a difference in how we are perceived in the real world.
Previously, many film and television characters were stereotyped – flamboyant gay men, butch lesbians, trans women prostitutes, ‘madams’ or murder victims – and often double-minorities. Trans men were barely seen, so shout out to the creators of Shortland Street and Rūrangi in Aotearoa for starring not only trans characters but having them played by trans actors as well. Nowadays, the number of shows with trans and rainbow content has increased immensely, helping raise a generation of young humans accepting of both others and themselves.
I’ve often wondered which comes first, the chicken or the egg scenario, when it comes to Hollywood, film and television influencing society and vice versa. Celebrities are role models and highly influential people. They have both the platform and the following to share wisdom and inclusion, as do writers, producers and studio funders. Says Jen Richards in Disclosure, “There is a one-word solution to almost all the problems in trans media – we just need more. And that way the occasional clumsy representation doesn’t matter as much because that wouldn’t be all that there is.”
Perhaps we need to apply something similar to the Bechdel Test (where a book or movie needed to have at least two female characters who conversed about things other than men) to trans characters in media. At least one trans character, played by a trans actor, who was neither a villain nor a victim and actually thriving in life.
A heartwarming documentary on Netflix called Will & Harper would certainly pass that test. It follows actor Will Farrell and his recently-disclosed transgender friend Harper Steele as they bond over her transition and travel the States together, normalising being transgender and an ally in society. The only place they had an issue in was the Bible Belt – no surprises there – but aside from that, interactions are wonderfully educational and healing.
Remember a transgender person today. And tomorrow. Remember the transgender and wider rainbow community often. Remember we all bleed the same colour, regardless of skin shade. One person can make a significant positive impact on humanity moving forward. Remember to be that person.
