Trans characters are disappearing from the big screen – what we know about Hollywood’s destruction of diversity

Win You He gave up waiting for Hollywood to save him.

A Vietnamese-American trans woman living in Brooklyn, NY has not only made her first short film, but also taken on her own work. “Mandarin” but he also writes the script, produces it, and stars in it.

Sen is steering the ship of her own creative endeavors amid a decline in transgender talent on screen in Hollywood. GLAAD 2024 Studio Responsibility Index (SRI).

SRI maps the quality, quantity and diversity of LGBTQ characters in films released by 10 major motion picture studios (A24, Amazon Studios, Apple TV+, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount Global, Sony, Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros. Discovery and their affiliates) through 2023.

This year SRI 256 movies reviewed70 of them featured LGBTQ characters. Of the 170 LGBTQ characters counted in total, 95 were male, 67 were female, eight were non-binary characters who were not explicitly identified as transgender on screen, and only two of the women were transgender. Less than half were characters of color, queer, trans, and non-binary, There was a 6% increase From last year’s report on 2022 productions.

However a striking finding It leaves trans filmmakers feeling marginalized in the industry, especially when compared to their cis counterparts: transgender representation in films dropped from 12 trans-inclusive films last year to 2 trans-inclusive films. The number of trans characters in films then dropped from 13 to just 2.

Sen called the decline in numbers “disgusting” and criticized Hollywood for being performative in championing diverse stories.

She describes her short film “Clementine” as “the story of a late-developing trans woman who reluctantly confronts her trans-specific dilemma as a male assigned at birth, with the help of her closest friends.” Sen gave up acting after being unable to audition for roles other than trans roles that she felt sensationalized trans narratives, were not current enough, or lacked Asian narratives.

“If Asian trans roles are being changed to accommodate a different race or cis women,” Sen added, “we’ve had to defend ourselves even within our own Asian community.”

Overall, Sen’s experience mirrors what other trans filmmakers in the industry have been critical of.

Glass ceiling and lack of retention in trans representation

Scott Turner Schofieldtrans actor, writer, producer and consultancy firm founder Speaking of transgendertells Guessing the base transphobia is a major obstacle to more green-lit productions. Schofield has worked on “Euphoria,” “The Idol,” “We’re Here” and many other productions.

She explains that not believing trans stories are valid, not wanting to work with trans people, and not trusting that the community can do a good enough job that audiences will want to see everything contribute to the barrier to trans people having more opportunities in all areas of the film industry.

On the average production he works on, Schofield usually comes on board after a script has been written, when he’s advocating for necessary changes. He explains that he often has to pick his battles, often fighting against what’s harmful in a script and less often against what could stand out in the script, which means that for him, representation never reaches its full potential.

“Because we are so heavily marginalized, not many people have the benefit of the kind of development process that it takes to gain the confidence that we can do this. But our work is getting better every time, so it’s time to take a risk and support us in making that leap.”

In a report published in 2017, Spring titled, “More Than a Media Moment” She explored the relationship between trans narrative depictions on screen and their impact on societal views and attitudes.

Assistant professor of communication at Washington State University and one of the corresponding authors Traci K. GilligIt has been said Guessing the base The decline in trans characters in SRI could be a sign that the industry is bouncing back “transgender turning point” Celebrating Laverne Cox’s groundbreaking role in “Orange Is the New Black” for opening a new chapter for trans people on screen.

The phrase “transgender milestone” invented by Time Magazine in 2014It marks a moment of significant increase in transgender visibility in the media. This period saw an increase in trans representation across various forms of media, including television programs, films, and news coverage, leading to greater public awareness and discussion of transgender issues.

“Trans characters and stories have the power to influence people’s attitudes,” Gillig said. “Unfortunately, hostile messages from other sources, such as political figures, can have a greater impact, especially when people’s media preferences do not expose them to detailed depictions of trans people.”

Schofield speculates that the decline in trans representation in film may be a byproduct of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes and the decline in production overall. However, the wave of anti-trans hate that threatens society, especially 658 bills in the legislative assembly this year—making the situation even more dire.

Studios have the ability to effectively validate and humanize trans people, she said, and their silence on the issue “validates and reinforces the growing transphobia that we experience every day,” she said. “They’ve either forgotten what movies can do, or they know exactly what they’re doing by not making movies that include us. Either way, the silence in this moment is chilling.”

In the silence, many trans filmmakers are successfully carving their own paths in the industry, but they are not without obstacles along the way.

Community members are forced to take matters into their own hands

Unlike Hollywood, in the world of independent films, Nyala Bear She sees a resurgence of transgender perspectives and inclusion.

Writer, director and star of his multi-award winning short film “How Not to Date When You’re Trans” Moon was chosen as one of 71 artists 2024 Whitney Biennial Earlier this year, he also attracted attention Filmmaker Magazine between 25 New Faces of Independent Film In 2023.

“It’s hard not to be amazed by this new norm. It wasn’t that long ago that trans stories based on our experiences were used as a vehicle to reveal the artistic depth of cishet filmmakers,” she said. “But now I’m in a community with so many important filmmakers who inspire and challenge me to keep making films.”

Despite persistent exclusion and marginalization from mainstream Hollywood, trans creators are fiercely carving out their own space and making significant inroads into independent cinema and streaming platforms. Notable success stories include: groundbreaking FX series “Pose” co-created by a trans writer and director Janet Fakecollected critical acclaim and multiple Emmy nominations and winsYance Ford became the film producer first openly transgender director In 2018, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his documentary “Strong Island.” He also directed the documentary “Disclosure,” directed by Sam Feder and executive produced by Laverne Cox. praised For taking an in-depth look at trans representation in the media.

Like actresses I hate itHaving tried to break into Hollywood since 2012, finding a job is a high-stakes affair. Even the Hollywood-based actress, who starred in Blumhouse’s queer slasher “They/Them” last year and has appeared in “American Horror Story,” “How to Get Away With Murder” and “Dear White People,” Guessing the base depends on finding a job for his livelihood.

“When we see transgender roles diminish, that means my ability to care for myself diminishes,” she said. “That means I may have to leave a career I love and go back to college, finish my degree, or even go back to sex work.”

The writers’ and actors’ union went on strike last summer auxiliary streaming platforms Tann, who discovered that old TV series can be revived with great success, argues that Hollywood would rather make money with less effort than try to expand into new areas such as trans narratives.

It’s no surprise, she says, that Queen Latifah is producing her first TV show in years. She, herself a black and queer member of the industry. “Making $10,000 every two years is not a career, or even a part-time job,” she says. “So even when we make money, we lose money.”

The real role Hollywood needs to portray in trans excellence

Schofield calls for transgenderism to become “commonplace” in Hollywood because she believes such a cultural shift will accelerate the casual and authentic inclusion needed on screen.

“Don’t be afraid, put all the marketing resources behind it so it’s truly seen and heard, like the Marvel movies do,” he said. “When a small minority is hateful, put more effort into it, put it in more theaters, put it on the front screen of the broadcaster. Set the next cultural bar firmly, and then start looking for who’s going to beat it.”

NewFestivalNew York’s largest LGBTQ film festival to be held 34 years oldpearl repeat Next month. Among the films shown at the festival is Sen’s “Clementine.” world premiere on October 12.

Sen is grateful for the work within the community. She shared that when trans filmmakers aren’t spearheading their own projects, their work often comes directly from other community members who create opportunities for each other. That’s a reckoning in itself, she said.

“We are creating a new Hollywood.”