Media Shapes the World: Let's Make it Trans-inclusive

Introduction

“The Role of Media,” is to “[shape] public awareness and [provide] information that shapes attitudes and public opinion.” It has been reported that over 1.6 million people ages 13 and over identify as transgender in the United States (Williams Institute.) In the article, “Media’s Power: Shaping Perceptions of Transgender Candidates,” author Sharon Giulia Vitulli illustrates the negative nature of which the media tends to portray transgender individuals. With all of this considered, how will the public’s perception of such a large minority group, currently excoriated by the media, be affected?  

Currently the narrative toward transgender individuals of many media platforms debates whether they should even exist or mass produces and distributes a stereotypical persona. Many movies and television shows make their transgender characters a punchline or the villain of the story.  

For people who have never met a transgender person, the representation of the transgender population in mainstream media might be the only perspective they receive. These themes and stereotypes directly feed into their own perspectives and opinions on the transgender community, having been shaped by the feelings and thoughts of others who happen to have a platform to spread these harmful ideas. 

Athens County Independent Assistant Editor, Dani Kington, believes there is a direct correlation between this type of transgender representation in media and mental health trends within the transgender community. 

“There's a lot of really harmful coverage of trans people nationally right now that is under-researched…I think that has a really harmful impact on trans people and the trans community. Seeing those perspectives out there unchecked, there's a correlation between the passage of anti-LGBTQ legislation and suicide rates among queer and trans people,” Kington said. 

As a local journalist, Kington has personally felt the effects of local, subversive coverage of the trans community from other news outlets. 

“[It’s] really jarring because this is where I live. These are my neighbors. This is the narrative that people are seeing about me and people like me and my friends, and that really sucks,” Kington said.   

In Kington’s profession as a journalist, she tries to constantly emphasize the responsibility of the media to enact truthful and unbiased coverage regarding the transgender community, specifically the significance of transgender journalists covering transgender issues. She also noted that the media should acknowledge the correlation between negative transgender media portrayals and increased transgender suicide rates. Kington’s hope for the future of trans representation within media is to see more peer-to-peer support among transgender journalists and more opportunities for a platform to cover their own stories. 

Call to Action 

The issue of who gets to tell trans stories is central to the discussion. Historically, trans narratives have been filtered through cisgender lenses, often reducing characters to tragic figures or comedic devices. Casting cis actors in trans roles not only denies opportunities to trans performers but also perpetuates the notion that trans identities are costumes or performances rather than authentic lived experiences. Thankfully, we are witnessing a shift, as more trans creators, writers, directors, and actors are stepping into positions of influence, bringing with them the ability to tell stories that resonate with truth, depth, and complexity. 

“I think [I Saw the TV Glow] is a really good representation because the director is non-binary, and they did a really cool job of depicting that trans experience of trying to find your way in a world that has such a hard time accepting you, and especially when you don't fit into those molds,” Miranda said.  

According to Standpoint Theory, which states that “social positions influence individual perspectives. Marginalized groups offer unique and often critical insights into power structures, making diverse viewpoints essential for understanding societal issues.” This illustrates that it is an amazing change to have more trans individuals in the creative process.  

“There's a really harmful idea that [if] you're part of a marginalized population, you shouldn't be involved in covering that population because you have a bias. But I think that is really backwards,” Kington said. “I think actually being a trans person covering things that impact trans people, you know, I do that work, and I feel able to do it from a much more informed position because of my identity, and I don't see it as any sort of conflict.” 

This growing creative agency is pivotal for reshaping the cultural narrative around gender and identity. 

Conclusion 

Trans representation in the media stands at a critical juncture. While progress is evident and deserving of celebration, it is not enough to rest on visibility alone. Representation in both journalistic stories and in the mass media must be more thoughtful, inclusive and driven by trans people themselves. Society has the power to challenge harmful tropes and truly change the perception of trans folks. The media holds immense power in shaping the culture; with great power comes the great responsibility to truth and, ultimately, trans joy. Only then can we move toward a future where trans people are not only seen but also fully uplifted in the stories told.