Trans Stories Onscreen, Explained

[@nep86]

About why man in a dress is funny i remember a quote from the cement garden and it was used by madona: "Girls can wear jeans, cut their hair short, wear shirts and boots, 'cause it's OK to be a boy, but for a boy to look like a girl is degrading, because you think that being a girl is degrading, but secretly you'd love to know what it's like, wouldn't you... What it feels like for a girl?"

[@justin.7849]

Do you knowwwwwwww what it feels like for a girlllllll in this worlddddddd

[@BTheTrue]

No thanks. I am a woman. Strong and special. I wouldn't change that for the world.

[@zemoxian]

I don’t think I’d feel degraded. I think I wouldn’t look or feel right in women’s clothes. I also don’t think I’d know what a woman feels like in women’s clothes as I don’t think clothes make the woman. That’s in the head. But I do recognize that most of society does degrade women.

[@entertain7us148]

I'll always remember that Iggy Pop quote: "I'm not ashamed to dress like a woman, because I don't think it's shameful to be a woman."

[@dilektan1591]

@@entertain7us148 yes. I love this picture of Iggy in a dress hold a clutch

[@sayakchoudhury9711]

MJ Rodriguez not getting an Emmy nomination for Pose is crime, especially when Billy Porter is recognised. I love Billy and he deserves all the recognition but MJ Rodriguez's character Blanca is the beating heart of the show.

[@starlightt4094]

She was robbed because she was great in pose

[@user-mb9nm7bq5e]

That’s a fact! Billy is great and all but Blanca makes me cry. She’s got a puppy dog face which helps, but you hear so much heart and emotion when she speaks. Like I actually believe the character

[@brianabellissima1264]

That’s an opinion. Billy just happened to outshine all the trans women because he is a great actor to a lot of people. He deserves that Emmy

[@starlightt4094]

@@brianabellissima1264 why are you so pressed? MJ deserved an emmy as well. They both shined bright.

[@CassieJazz96]

Uggh...... she deserves an Emmy!

[@anjalibaskar6255]

one more point to make: all drag persons aren’t gay or trans, cross dressers aren’t the same as trans people

[@MariaThePotterNut]

Some Drag Queens and Kings are trans, some using it to find and represent their true gender, others doing the art of drag dressed as their assigned gender. ie, some trans men are drag queens and some trans women are drag kings, and non binary people can go one way or the other, or anyone's art can go any way when it comes to gender, there's no rules or limitations. But no, drag is not a signal of being trans.

[@corriethomson4431]

@@MariaThePotterNut no there are limitations, there are only 2 genders. Drag queens are mostly regular guys who love wearing women's clothes it's that simple.

[@SingingSealRiana]

yeah, there is so much more variety. liking some cloths that are male doded does not make a woman trans for liking and wearing them, neither does liking make up make a guy trans, some gays like gendertrancending styles, ohers dont, forcabeling everything as the same is so reductiv and disingenuis

[@andreabanuelosavila2317]

@@MariaThePotterNutSo straight people can cross dress too?

[@MariaThePotterNut]

@@andreabanuelosavila2317 Yeah? Just crossdressing is like a thing for a lot of straight men, used as a sort of escape from the pressures of the gender roles in society, weither they always realize thats why or not. And straight men nd women do drag as well. It's ok as long as you're respectful about the art and it's history as well as the spaces that you're in

[@TititoDeBologay]

Interesting that Black men impersonating women was seen as emasculating. Yet seldom as masculinising Black women. Hello, strong black woman trope.

[@realkr8324]

Right!!. The black man is emasculated and the black woman is masculated.

[@ginao6810]

That was my thought too. If a black man chooses to put himself in a dress for comedy, he is in on the joke. The black women he degrades for a laugh are not in on the joke.

[@maxwellmediainc]

I wouldn’t call it a golden age but we are certainly getting better and we love to see it !!

[@trinaq]

Precisely, even though we like to think that we've come a long way in terms of Trans acceptance, we still have more to go, as Transphobia is still rampant, as evidenced by JK Rowling's recent Twitter scandal.

[@ganarygirl4557]

I would say comparing to aaaaaall of history, it is a golden age. But yes, we don’t know what is going to come. I hope it still gets better.

[@alienboy1322]

@Maxwell media Inc. Agreed.

[@gasst5000]

Ganary Girl I think that's exactly what they mean

[@ganarygirl4557]

@@gasst5000 Yeah, probably. They know its not perfect.

[@konraddygudaj257]

“All of us are put in boxes by our family, by our religion, by our society, our moment in history, even our own bodies. Some people have the courage to break free.” Geena Rocero.

[@trinaq]

Precisely, it must be tough for our own bodies and society to constantly tell us that we're one thing, only to know deep down inside that we're another. 😔💔

[@konraddygudaj257]

@@trinaq I agree

[@konraddygudaj257]

@Paul Truman I agree with that.

[@EGV88]

I'm not trans, but I've broken free in a lot of ways.

[@zemoxian]

I’m not trans but learning about gender I’ve realized I’m not really that straight. I’m finding that I’m also attracted to feminine people who may not identify as women. Finsexual seems to describe my orientation. I’d prefer not to label it but if I came out to people I know, I’d like to be able to describe it. I’m also not certain it’s completely accurate. Am I attracted only to feminine? Because I might be attracted by some degree of androgyny as well which I think falls outside finsexual. I’m just learning these terms. Finding stuff out is difficult.

[@tariqthomas9090]

Can I just say that *Pose* is one of the best television series I have ever seen? There are few shows that are able to make me laugh, cry, and cheer as much as that show does.

[@MaRyaYTOfficial]

Exactly like I loved it so much. I didn’t know the show was about lgbt lives when I first started, but I loved watching it and learning about how hard and somber it was. Especially in the 80’s.

[@JasminesRosesAndTulips]

I know right its amazing i can't believe i ignored it all this time while scrolling on netflix

[@yaelfeder9042]

I write superhero fanfic and the most recent superhero I added is Aurora and she is based almost entirely off Angel

[@leiloqui]

please watch veneno on hbo max with subtitles, it's amazing

[@caleb282]

The majority of the emotional trans movies feel like it's for cis people written by cis writers, directed by cis directors and usually preformed by cis actors, I'm not saying this is every movie because I know it's getting better, this is just what I have seen.

[@trinaq]

I greatly concur! I wish that writing rooms would include more trans writers, directors, screenwriters or specialists, to ensure that they are depicting Trans characters with as much respect and care as possible. 💯🥰

[@TarellHudson]

As a cis male and heterosexual, I never considered these stories or the real people behind them. It did not affect my life. My wife, however, loves stories dealing with the community and by her watching, I began to watch by proxy. Pose has been such an eye opening experience. Some of the individuals are easily identified as trans. But I avidly thought that much of the cast was a mix of trans and cis gendered individuals. Discovering that nearly every single beautiful woman I saw was in fact trans in real life was quite interesting.

[@metalgrinch]

Cis.... 😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂 stupid pawns with their made up language to appease their politically correct brainwashed sensibilities and don't even know it.

[@haldir1991]

So what ? its called being an actor, they're supposed to play whatever. I don't need a gay man to play a gay man, stop being so stupid and close minded ! I hate how america is turning into a trash can of sensitive people complaining about everything

[@steamboatwill3.367]

@@haldir1991 ) including you.

[@alexisbatista8]

I’m not trans, but it annoys me how often jerry springer has the frequent “my girlfriends actually a man so I’m gonna attack her on stage” episode. It’s like every other episode.

[@steamboatwill3.367]

Jeez, what's funny about that?

[@alexisbatista8]

Steamboat Will3. Nothing really, but because he’s been doing the same “stories” for 20+ years, it’s mostly just for shock value. It’s really sad to see honestly, since he says at the end of every episode to “take care of one another”

[@alienboy1322]

@@alexisbatista8 Yeah, let's all pretend that we never watched the Jerry Springer Show.

[@Rosa5311]

It's actually pretty disturbing given the violence that trans people face on a daily basis, that's something I would like to see cancelled

[@alienboy1322]

@@Rosa5311 It feels like a conspiracy.

[@prageruwu69]

i watched 'boys don't cry' a while ago, but i couldn't watch it to the end because the phone call about the r*pe scene made me cry. it's a pretty good movie, and it even made me a bit euphoric when brandon was treated as one of the guys, but it's really hard to watch as a trans man. ALSO i know 'she's the man' isn't really a trans movie, but i remember thinking like "oh my god, i wish i could do that" and "why would she not want to continue being seen as a man?" lmao...

[@stitchedwithcolor]

It's pretty hard even when you're not trans masc, but i can only imagine how much harder it must be for you. *hugs* We really need more stories about trans folx, especially men and nonbinary people, that spend a little less time focused on trauma and tragedy. Unfortunately, watching boys don't cry gets even harder when you know that the director herself apparently didn't recognize brandon as a boy.

[@AxxLAfriku]

WARNING I am the unprettiest human YTer worldwide, but somehow I have TWO HOT KZbinR girlfriends. Thanks for being a future subscryber, dear ora

[@Noah-bp4gu]

omg I was so in love with She's the Man. I remember thinking the same thing and now several years later I'm a trans guy haha

[@logant2282]

I’m a cisgendered male. I saw “Boys Don’t Cry” when I was 9 years old at a family friend’s house when it was playing on HBO (the adults were asleep). That rape scene is probably the worst rape scene in a movie I’ve ever seen. I’m sure there’s movies with worst rape scenes but for me at that age it left a mark. It was truly horrifying.

[@Las645]

@@logant2282 yikes

[@zelamorre1126]

I was 12 when Ace Ventura came out. It was the first movie I went to see purely with friends with none of our parents with us. When I got home, I remember telling my mom it wasn't funny or a good movie because the end was so mean. I wasn't aware of transgender issues at the time. But I was being bullied. And I could see my experiences reflected on the screen as actors comically over-exaggerated their disgust at an embarrassed woman.

[@steamboatwill3.367]

The movie is so awful ( not just because of THAT, but it did cross the line ), i barley made it to halfway, I shouldn't have to ask for an explanation why the film is "funny" when it's NOT!!!!!!!

[@JC-yy8iv]

It’s so telling because if the character was a cis woman, the same people who think it’s funny would find it horrifying, him ripping off her clothes in front of everyone and pointing out her genitalia... and the actress is even a cis woman! But all they have to do is say the character’s trans, and suddenly you have a situation where it didn’t even occur to most cis people until years later that it was bad

[@owenlawrence670]

correct me if im wrong since i havent seen that movie in a long long time but wasnt that actually a man who was just pretending to be a transwoman? or pretending to be a woman because he wanted revenge? or was it confirmed in the movie she was trans? tbh i honestly cant remember.

[@lettylunasical4766]

Same here/ I was a young girl, maybe 9 or 10, and I remember feeling so uncomfortable when he was throwing up, and later when they tore her skirt and all the cops were throwing up and spitting. You're right, even as a kid you recognise it as bullying and bigotry.

[@SD-zz4ov]

@@owenlawrence670 i think its more about the implication here. not about tge character herself.

[@Doodlebob108]

I feel like everyone in the comments who are talking about how we're only seeing trans women on tv and movies are missing a part of the picture here. Trans women face hyper visibility while trans men face little to no visiblity. Both have their own set of problems. Being hyper visible puts you in a more vulnerable position and will get you attacked more frequently. Not being visible leaves you finding hardly any representation. These are both things we as a society need to work on. It's not just as simple as "trans women bare getting all the screen time".

[@hq4287]

^ This

[@rainbowsubs2]

I agree

[@SoniaSephia]

When we talk about Trans People we always talk about Trans Women. We seem to forget Trans Men exist!

[@enbeast8350]

And trans nonbinary people get even less representation. Sadly, I think a lot of the reason media likely highlights stories of trans women are because: 1.) Trans women are disproportionately assaulted more than trans men. That isn't to say or invalidate the violence and hate that goes towards trans men. But in cases like Pose, I'm glad they highlighted the ugly side that trans women have to deal with. (Hopefully s3 brings in trans men because that is definitely needed in that show) 2.) Hollywood thinks it's "sexier" to put a woman on screen than a man because most of Hollywood's higher-ups are attracted to women.

[@kelliehu8749]

I was hoping that this analysis would explore the links between "the man in a dress" trope among black entertainers and misogynoir, rather than just the emasculation point. Often these "performances" reinforce long standing negative stereotypes of black women.

[@johngibbs2419]

that's probably a whole other video that needs to be done.

[@AllieOk]

I think the reason why it's easier to find trans women on screen is that they are often found "aesthetically appealing". Because of society's objectification of women, Hollywood is full of women with certain beauty standards. Hyper-feminine clothing styles and makeup are usually considered the standard of beauty for women. Which is why trans men (as well as non hyper-feminine trans women and non-binary people) often don't fit the description. Instead of seeing them as men, Hollywood sees trans men as masculine women, and therefore non-appealing. This is all bullshit, of course, but sadly it may be the reason.

[@user-mb9nm7bq5e]

You’re one hundred percent right though

[@tam9856]

That’s a great point.

[@callmej5337]

Yeah, people see trans men as women trying to be like cis straight men and getting to date girls that some men maybe can't. And they get mad at it, they see as intrusive and darious.

[@lolcandyyy]

I was wondering about that too

[@Maru-bv4eg]

This year a Chilean movie called "Tengo miedo torero" was released. It's about a poor old trans woman, who falls in love with a young man, during the planning of an attack on the dictator Augusto Pinochet. It is a raw and real story. "La Loca" was played by a cis man, but that was a request from the original writer. I think everyone should watch it, it's heartbreaking and beautiful

[@sakura121094]

Qué curioso encontrarme a otra chilena (asumo) que también se llama Mariana jajaj

[@MarceRuz]

@@sakura121094 Otra más, aunque prefiero el libro a la película :P

[@theyoutubeanalyst3731]

Yo también soy latina pero nunca escuché de esta película!

[@MarceRuz]

@@theyoutubeanalyst3731 Es nueva, salió en pre estreno para Chile hace un par de semanas :)

[@mitchellattwood]

It actually bothered me on friends how chandler always referenced his father as “gay”. But then after all the seasons when they finally present the dad, he was trans. I was taken aback because why couldn’t he just say trans and not mislead the audience throughout the whole show?

[@mankytoes]

I don't think people really used the term "trans" back then... you're basically asking why a 1990s show doesn't use 2020 terminology.

[@paolina1802]

@@mankytoes I'm not sure but even in the 90s they could surely make the difference between a man liking other men and a man wanting to become a woman? Even without using the appropriate terms, it's clearly not the same thing (and it's disrespectful to gay people as well)

[@mankytoes]

@@paolina1802 I never thought that Chandler's dad actually lived full time as a woman, just that he was a drag queen/cross dresser, but still identifying as a gay man. Most drag queens are men, right?

[@_Sakidora_]

A trans 'woman' who has sex with men exclusively is a gay man.

[@DramaqueenEstrella27]

@@_Sakidora_ actually she's a woman who sleeps with men. Fixed it for you :)

[@trinaq]

I love how Trans people are getting the representation that they deserve. It's wonderful how trans actors are getting more of an opportunity to play trans characters, and it's even better when their entire role isn't played off as a joke, and they're rightfully treated with respect. 🥰

[@monabohamad2242]

@Lesbian Amazon Sister so homophobia is bigger than transphobia right?

[@beanman7546]

@Lesbian Amazon Sister The transphobia in your comment is rampant. Yikes

[@localtran]

Lesbian Amazon Sister stop trying to push your FART views on others. Being a Feminist Appropriating Radical Transphobe ain’t a good look

[@yany3xkkrenii144]

@Lesbian Amazon Sister No such thing as homosexual.

[@Whatsinaname_]

I strongly recommend watching the documentary Disclosure on Netflix to learn more. Thank you The Take for making another great video.

[@modrzewik123]

Soyboys community watching netflix, and triggered to real wordld XD

[@dilldes]

I love that we are getting better at trans narratives. Can you guys also address the issue of ageism via a show like "Younger"?

[@wannabecar8733]

I agree😔

[@faerlydisfunctional]

Seeing the improvement in the representation of my community almost makes me tear up, it means so much

[@delirium5381]

:')

[@Seefood73]

Just watched "disclosure" on netflix yesterday, I recommend it to all who are interested in the matter, and learn about the issue from transgender people first hand.

[@octabodemes]

You have no idea how much i want trans men representation, i wish there could be one thats close to euphoria's rep with how Jules struggles with her womanhood and even her atraction towards men. I hate that many trans men in media were basically lesbian butch women taking that one "little step" and boom. I want a trans man that struggles with how toxic our own masculinity can sometimes be because we want to fit in, i want a trans man to be attracted to other men and struggle with how that makes him feel as a man and how being bi or gay makes them feel, i want a trans man struggling with clothing, mannerisms, family things, just something that makes them feel real to be honest. Not just a skinny person binding their chest and wearing huge hoodies and pining over some girl when most of us have other struggles.

[@isabelbelem9062]

As trans woman, I'd really like to see that too, I got my struggles seen o movies, but I love to see a trans man's

[@gustavomartinssilva3207]

Do a take on crazy ex girlfriend Please

[@misshisokapaints109]

I wish the take would also meantion how black men hating the "man in dress" thing is rooted in homophobia as well.

[@stratospherica]

Yep, homophobia, sexism and transphobia are all different manifestations of the same prejudice.

[@monabohamad2242]

@@stratospherica is racism also a manifestation of that one same prejudice too?

[@stratospherica]

@@monabohamad2242 Racism intersects heavily with sexism and transphobia in particular (see Michelle Obama being accused of being transgender) but it's a bit more separate from the homophobia/sexism/transphobia trifecta of discrimination against people who step out of assigned and enforced gender norms

[@misshisokapaints109]

@@stratospherica but they meantioned it like it was some empowering thing that black men don't want to be in dresses. When it's not empowering. It feeds into this weird and gross conspiracy theory that some black men have that the world is trying to emasculated them by showing gay black men, trans women and men wearing dresses in hollywood. Like there's something wrong with men who want to wear dresses. Or that there's something wrong with black men who aren't masculine. So please don't correct me, ask what I mean if you don't understand what I was referencing. I don't need to be taught that transphobia and homophobia are apart of the same issue.

[@stratospherica]

@@misshisokapaints109 I'm......... not correcting you, I'm agreeing

[@Angi3_6]

We are in the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month, please do a video on Latino tropes. ☺🙏 Also skirts and high heels were originally for men. Dresses used to be unisex. Edit: I also think it is limiting to make cross dressing exclusive to trans community. Anyone can cross dress.

[@Angi3_6]

@Matthew Mattocks I know. Many people just act like cross dressing is something unique to the trans community when all it is is typically dressing like the opposite sex. Cross dress cosplay is a thing. I wear male pants because they have pockets. :)

[@Angi3_6]

@Matthew Mattocks I wasn't saying that? All I said was that many people perceive cross dressing as something exclusive to the trans community. That no other community (like cosplay) can cross dress and participating in it must mean the person is trans. I'm saying that I don't agree with that mindset.

[@ratonadebiblioteca98]

I find it ironic that the issue with the black man in a dress is the fear of "emasculating" black men, and not the caricaturesque and over-the-top mysoginist portrayals of Black women.

[@jlcii]

"Where there's still room to grow": cast actual trans people to play trans people.

[@mankytoes]

A really progressive state would be having cis actors play trans characters when they're the best actor for the part, but equally having trans actors play cis characters. Acting is supposed to be about portraying people who aren't you. Trying to restrict everyone by gender, sexuality, nationality or whatever is not progressive.

[@bananaforscale1283]

@@mankytoes That's better but many transpeople are visibly trans, and taking into consideration they are very small percentage of people that would be extremely rare to see trans actors as cis characters which would be rightful amount.

[@tavisha5139]

I'd love to see a guide-type of video on Blanca Evangelista-her way of life is beautiful and worth-emulating. Her hopeful outlook on life while still maintaining her 'tough-love-only' persona is so inspiring.

[@QueenFondue]

Really appreciate the love in the comments. Thank you all for being kind.

[@teenkitsune]

I remember growing up in the late 90s and early 2000s feeling like I had to hide or get rid of my more feminine/girly side because not only were the kids mean to boys who didn't confirm 100% to masculine stereotypes but the media I grew up on treated it as "a man in a dress" for use in punchlines, shows like Drake and Josh having the boys mocked for buying and driving a bright yellow Volkswagen Beetle with flowers that their sister wanted. Jokes like that, alongside social pressures, made me feel like there was something wrong with me and I needed to correct myself to be normal. Heck I often envied girls because as hard as girls have it in society at least there was more flexibility for gender expression for girls, girls could wear pants as well as skirts and dresses, they could act like boys if they wanted and no one batted an eye, whereas for boys it was much more rigid, there was no room for femininity of any kind if you were a boy, and as such to "fit in" even I took part in transmysogeny. It wasn't until my 20s where I learned others were like me and that there's nothing wrong with being male and feminine, I even came to accept that I am trans and that I do not want to be a boy, and that's because of my interaction with the community who were there to help me deprogram from the heteronormative narrative society had forced upon me. And I am really happy trans representation is getting so much better, I even think kids today have better shows and movies than I did when I was their age and better representation is a big part of that.

[@EndstationOstbahnhof]

But wasn’t the entire tragedy in silence of the lambs that he wasn’t transgender? (at least in the books it was explained how the killer went through a lot of clinics wanting to transition but they all declined because he wasn’t in fact trans but a violent man wanting to possess women)

[@PHlophe]

Pasha, pretty much

[@mankytoes]

Yeah, the film literally states "he isn't a trasnsexual".

[@JC-yy8iv]

Yes, both the book and movie include an in-universe disclaimer meant to deflect criticism. But that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a transphobic concept. It takes this perfectly ordinary, wholesome thing that probably every trans woman has done, dancing around your house in a pretty garment, tucking in front of a mirror, etc, this fun, joyful, private experience... it adds a crass line of dialogue meant to repulse (would you fuck me etc), and offers it up to cis eyeballs as this deeply unsettling sight. They may say the character’s not trans but what does it say that this is presented as something creepy, icky, gross and upsetting? That Harris was like “Hmm what could make this killer even more disturbing and repellent, I know, let’s have him be effeminate and dressed in women’s clothes and tucked.” Furthermore, I wouldn’t necessarily expect you to be familiar with virulent anti-trans rhetoric, but Buffalo Bill is the exact transphobic stereotype that TERFs believe in. Obsessed with women in some dark way, with a sexual edge, having some weird horny fixation on himself as a woman. The TERFs call this “autogynephilia” and the believe it motivates all trans women. It’s a horrible, bigoted concept and that movie brings it to life.

[@mankytoes]

@@JC-yy8iv "Yes, both the book and movie include an in-universe disclaimer meant to deflect criticism." I think you're missing the historical context here. This is a book released in 1988, and a film from 1991. There wouldn't have been this kind of criticism at that time. People don't realise how things have changed in thirty years. Hell, even ten years ago things were very different.

[@Ray03595]

@@mankytoes Agree. Throwing 80's books and 90's film to 2020 standards they will always fail. And in 2040, our 2020 films will be seen as problematic too. At the time, this was progressive, especially since the author did seem to go out of their way to make the distinction. Less so in the film, but if you are paying attention you should catch the explanation that essentially Buffalo Bill cannot live with who he is, and that's why he pretends to be transgender.

[@vikkile]

This feels so long overdue but I’m here for it ! Yes to trans representation !!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@foxbuns]

Im really disappointed you guys didn't expand more on Theo's actor, who is actually nonbinary, and who lended a lot of insight into trans struggles to the writers, who ultimately re-wrote important parts of Theo's character development to be more realistic to a true trans and nb person's experience. thats' something worth celebrating.

[@squashfei8907]

This video was great. I think you guys should do a video on how overweight and obese people are portrayed in movies and TV and how they're often the butt of jokes and no one seems to have a problem with that.

[@thefjk]

The Last of Us 2, is a great example of pro trans stories in video games. Proud of Naughty Dog!

[@sarahkim5428]

This channel is one of the best things I've discovered this year.

[@hermiona1147]

Last time I was this early The Take wasnt popular yet

[@fabchn6340]

Same

[@itsmilicaaaa]

Blanca is the auntie everyone needs

[@theedexterspeckman6512]

i like how you put rocky horror picture show in here, i see a lot of people refuse to admit that it’s a transphobic movie

[@northsnow4128]

Sense8 is the best show ever made. I have never seen another show so diverse and so spectacular. I recommend everyone watch it immediately

[@rori3509]

I cried watching this I'm so happy to have my favorite KZbin channel represent my community and it's role in the entertainment industry thank you

[@Az-bf8ik]

It really make me sad that trans people (and even non binary and intersex people) have little/no good and positive representation ... Even in our community they are left appart like it wasn't two trans women who fight for our rights

[@joaopedrovidottidecesaro8587]

Buffalo Bill is not a trans character, the book makes a case of stating this repeatedly. I don't remember if the movie does so as well.

[@tgirl_jocy]

Just because Buffalo Bill himself isn’t a transgender character doesn’t mean he doesn’t play into the oppression that trans women face. People hear about trans people and associate them with the creepy psycho killer they saw who also dressed as a woman.

[@gde4036]

The movie mentions it at least once. I don't remember if it happened more or not.

[@Ray03595]

Correct, people always miss this about the movie. I think it is only said once tho so I can see how it is missed.

[@Melanco001]

Look at those dislikes. Guess they want to live in the dark ages. Let people live! Glad it’s becoming better but there’s more work to do

[@monabohamad2242]

At least there are 2 thousand or so likes while there are only 120 or so dislikes so maybe there are WAY many more who DON'T "live in the dark ages" lol anyways I kinda of think that homophobia is um sorta of a bigger deal than transphobia or something

[@monabohamad2242]

BTW who's preventing who from living?

[@bananaforscale1283]

You want tolerance but fight agression with agression? You're the one who's from dark ages.

[@monabohamad2242]

@@bananaforscale1283 who are you talking to??

[@bananaforscale1283]

@@monabohamad2242 To Melanco. He's talking about dark ages.

[@maggiemcfly5267]

How do you people feel about Buffalo Bill? I remember reading the book and the doctors with whom Clarice talks while trying to identify the killer, were quick to tell her that Buffalo was in fact NOT transgender, but I can't remember if they did that in the movie. Personally it's one of my favorite fictional characters but, besides the issue of being a serial killer, do you consider him problematic? Edit: just to clarify that I am not blind to the negative connotations of the character. My mind just doesn't relate Buffalo Bill to being transgender because I am educating myself and I'd like to think know better.

[@caitlin329]

Norman Bates in Psycho is also quite clearly explained as not being trans, but his portrayal sort of fed into the idea that any kind of gender non-conformity=deviance/bad/evil/immoral etc.

[@The-Seal-Of-Approval]

Have you seen "Monsters in the Closet - A History of LGBT Representation in Horror Cinema" by James Somerton on YT? it discusses BB about 40min into the video I think. It's a really good video in my opinion

[@alexisgarcia1344]

@@The-Seal-Of-Approval I was about to mention him. He's really good at explaining nuance within the community.

[@giorgiamichelin6817]

Well in the book he's not considered a transgender so I really don't understand the critics

[@The-Seal-Of-Approval]

@@alexisgarcia1344 he's a really good content creator isn't he? I feel like I don't know nearly as many LGBTQ+ KZbinrs as I'd like to

[@griffinwetzel3059]

Euphoria is the first show I've seen where a character being trans wasn't the focus of their storyline or character arc. Jules could have been a cis girl and the story would have been the same. That's real representation. It sends a message that trans people aren't defined by their gender identity. They are real people who have real human experiences beyond being trans.

[@jamesgomez9151]

Coming from a straight male, I gotta say POSE is awesome. The acting is top notch, the story is grounded in reality, and there's a lot to learn from from it.

[@insertcacklingnoises5977]

great video as always! p.s. could you guys do the "hero gets the girl" trope? for example, katara and aang from avatar?

[@Whatsinaname_]

Would love to see that

[@inescastellano7960]

I will never understand why Eddie Redmayne got praised and an Oscar for playing a trans woman, but Scarlett Johansson got backlash for being casted as a trans man to the point she had to quit the casting. It's misogyny. Women can never win.

[@monabohamad2242]

I think I'm um kinda of unfamiliar with Eddie Redmayne playing a trans woman and/or Scarlet Johansson being casted as a trans man well I'm familiar with the actor and actress themselves:(like Eddie Redmayne portrayed Stephen Hawking in that 2014 movie theory of everything and Scarlet Johansson portrayed Black Widow from/in some of MCU movies): just not the roles you've apparently said they've apparently played/portrayed

[@cherhorroritz3298]

Scarlett Johansson has a history of being cast in roles she has no business being cast in, that was why there was specifically so much backlash around her. That and her dismissive comments around it all. But I agree that the industry is super misogynistic and transphobic and that has to change.

[@inescastellano7960]

@@cherhorroritz3298 Again you're hating on a woman...

[@Ray03595]

@@inescastellano7960 Eddie Redmayne did it before there was an outcry for change. Same with Transparent. The outcry has been at its loudest in the past 2-3 years I'd say. I'd bet in the trans community its been a huge discussion point for a while tho.

[@cherhorroritz3298]

Inès Castellano no I’m not, I’m criticising shitty behaviour. The main problem is the studios putting cis folks in trans roles, but SJ made the choice to accept roles which weren’t for her, and that’s shitty behaviour.

[@dogsarefab]

You forgot Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

[@hoikatia]

great video. i was in awe after watching pose because i’ve never actually encountered (that i know of) trans or drag individuals! we need more representation so people stop being “afraid of the unknown” as in if they’ve never encountered somebody personally. at least you can learn about diversity from pop culture representations and grow more tolerant and less ignorant

[@lettylunasical4766]

I don't know any trans people (or, not that I know of anyway!) so Pose was really helpful for me to see the struggle and understand.

[@SingAllTheThings]

I understand why so much of this video was dedicated to the discussion of "man in a dress", a truly horrid trope, and I don't wish to ever pretend like a majority of transphobic film and tv narratives aren't levied at trans women and trans feminine people. However, I think this video adds to the disservice of erasing transgender men, as well as nonbinary people (though some depictions of trans feminine people include nonbinary people). I really wish that even one minute of screentime had been used to discuss Brian Michael Smith's character in 911: Lone Star or Queen Sugar, Ian Alexander in The OA, Tom Phelan on The Fosters, or even Tony Sawicki on Orphan Black (played by a cis actress but the point of the character was to recognize diversity in AFAB clones, and she plays ever other clone as well). You could have talked about nonbinary character Syd on One Day at a Time, played by cis actress Sheridan Pierce, but Syd is examined in a very nuanced, full way. As a trans man myself, it really pains me to see the erasure of so much of my community to the point that far too many people STILL think only trans women exist. Trans women experience immeasurable pain and harassment, and are thrust into bad-faith spotlights, but trans men and nonbinary people aren't talked about at all. I really, really wish you'd addressed more of that in this video, though I do understand that the showrunners are cisgender, and may not have felt it was their place. But I'm saying, if you can use your privilege to advocate for trans women, who very much need it, can you advocate for us, too, the trans people society ignores?

[@SingAllTheThings]

@Natalie The only trans feminine representation you get is Blaire White? When there are people like Natalie/Contrapoints, Kat Blaque (who has been on the platform for more than a decade), Steph Sanjati (who has since moved to Twitch, but I digress), Riley J. Dennis, Samantha Lux, etc. Yes, Blaire has a pretty big platform due to being controversial, but Natalie Wynn (among others) isn't unknown. I'm also not saying that everything that is in the media or current social sphere about trans women is good, far from it! But if you aren't on the internet, if you don't care about KZbinrs like Miles or Jamie, Ty Turner, or Milo, there are not a lot of well-known trans men. I guarantee you most cis people cannot name a trans man, other than *possibly* Elliot Page. I am not trying to take time *away* from trans feminine people, as they get shit on and misrepresented constantly. But I just think trans men should be uplifted to be more visible. That's all. And videos like this, claiming to talk about "trans stories onscreen", barely even *mentioning* trans men and non-binary people, is a gross oversight.

[@SingAllTheThings]

@Natalie Trans men *also* get told that our identities aren't valid. I'm a bit confused why, when I'm asking cis people to do better, that we have to compare who has it harder. I'd even go so far as to say that trans women and trans feminine people *demonstrably* have it harder, but that doesn't exempt cis people from needing to talk about trans men as well. It is a fact that there are very few stories written about trans masculine people, and far, far fewer that have trans masc people in those roles. So let's talk about the need for more accurate, better trans feminine representation, AND the need for trans masc stories. We can have both.

[@AleksandraKloc]

I am always crying watching your videos like that one. So wholesome. So heartwarming. Your channel is the best part of youtube and i am very well aware how much greatness is here, watching youtube all the time. You are great @thetake. Keep doing great things!

[@kaitlynr.9555]

I was surprised y’all didn’t mention Alexis Arquette. She started off in film as a man and transitioned very openly while still acting, even doing a documentary about her transition process. Also Candis Cayne, she’s a very well known a trans actress who gets lots of roles. Love y’all’s channel! ❤️

[@felixborreguero1866]

oh wow, am I first? LOVING this vid and so so glad to have a vid about trans stories.

[@BestgirlJordanfish]

We're not quite at a golden age, but perhaps we are starting to recognize the bridge and take our baby steps. Trans men, nonbinary reps, and normalization in blockbusters and children's media needs to push more.

[@cherhorroritz3298]

Ok but Ru Paul’s Drag Race is HORRIBLY transphobic. The drag community is also largely cis gay men who are often quite misogynistic and centred in the LGBTQ+ conversation. I love this channel but this video was flawed.

[@alimhamad6532]

Why is ru apul transphobic?

[@alimhamad6532]

And why is the drag community largely misogynistic?

[@alimhamad6532]

I'm gay and just asking

[@sammyr6911]

L H Did you know that is what drag is, cis gendered men (or women), mainly gay or even bi, who do performances as female (or male if you’re a drag king) caricatures. And btw trans women(people) don’t actively participate in drag for various reasons

[@sammyr6911]

L H They’re not misogynistic. They just appreciate the female aesthetic. It’s just for entertainment

[@angelicamabone2934]

The fact that they didn't mention Adam from degrassi which is where majority of my generation found out about transgender people. Adam was the first transgender character to be a main character on a tv show

[@emilymatthews2990]

Definitely!! Kinda sad they killed him off.

[@patrickpaul8432]

I love this channel I get to understand so much more about pop culture the harmful ideas hollywood has been perpetuating about popular tropes. Keep up the great work!

[@alinedantas8738]

Wow I'm so surprised and happy to hear u recommended a Brazilian documentary at the end, I'm really proud of my country arts movements and I love ur channel, love from Brazil ✨

[@dragos4439]

"movie you've been dying to see" *shows clip of portrait of a lady on fire* well, you aren't wrong

[@milo1842]

It makes me so happy to see these nuanced, beautiful portrayals of trans women becoming more commonplace, but I can't help feeling incredibly frustrated and disheartened with the lack of trans men in cinema. I've never been able to find a TV show or movie that presents a trans man as a nuanced protagonist who's story isn't tragic or obviously written for a cisgender audience. We are so often wholely ignored except for a couple of mentions here or there. I had hoped that wouldn't be the case in a 20 minute long video focusing entirely on trans representation. I hope that I'll be able to create that representation myself later in my life.

[@grey_wolf_tg2235]

Would have liked to see a clip from Rent and Angel. She was a very important character.

[@Silvercentipede]

Oh is there not one :( I'm upset and would have expected that too. I guess you could consider her non flattering but flattering at the same time, I mean her dress sense was hardly subtle or nuanced to say the least, and kinda presented this idea that to dress as trans means to be this ridiculous caricature. BUT she's a really important character, is intelligent, is respected by everyone, and has some incredible songs and dialogue. I guess her dress sense and aesthetic was a bit OTT, but if that's her style then so be it, it doesn't make her any less genuine. Plus it was progressive as hell at the time.

[@jo_jo_jo]

In Spain we've also had a rising in the way transgender people is represented in media. In fact, there are several new exemples. I write here, just in case someone wants more information: Luna, from 'Vis a vis' (played by trans woman Abril Zamora); Gloria, from 'El viaje de Ulises' (played by trans actress Carla Antonelli); Ángela Betanzos, en 'Servir y proteger' (played by trans actress Lara Martorell); or 'Veneno', where multiple trans actors and actresses appear. Recently, cisgender actress Belén Cuesta was brought into 'Money heist (here: 'La casa de papel') to play trans woman Manila, and there was a huge debate in social media. I'm glad that it happened, as it is important that this kind of roles and debates take place not only in English-spoken coutries.

[@marlboroprime657]

no hay hombres trans lol

[@sapphic.flower]

Cis actors win awards for playing trans people because being trans is so “exotic” and “niche” that portraying them looks like a feat. Acting feminine or masculine isn’t particularly impressive though, it’s just the trans tag on the role that makes cis people find it so “compelling”.

[@sp691]

Yay I like where the take is going with lgbt videos, first with the bisexual one than the bury your gays than trans. Can you do asexual representation next, maybe?

[@SuhannaDeSilva]

Hunter Schaffer in Euphoria 😩

[@timtam3730]

The most underrated LGBTQ film I can think of is the Thailand film Iron ladies from the year 2000, which is the story of a group of LGBTQ individuals creating a vollyball team to compete in a tournament. Even if you're not LGBTQ, it's still a very funny and heartwarming film, so please give it a watch!

[@acenull0]

I literally cried when I first watched Paris is burning

[@NellyNutmeg]

Tootsie is technically a "man in a dress" movie, but the overall message of the film is equality and empathy. Dustin Hoffman who played Dorothy aka Tootsie said it was never a comedy to him.

[@thecat_iswatching]

This was really educational, thank you once more for your hard work! I also want to add on the trope 'black men dressing as drag' is not only harmful because it tries to de-masculinize black men, but can it also be because black women are often portrayed as 'more masculine' than white women. For instance the way Serena William is depicted in cartoons is always in some way very masculine to insult her. So the trope is used to just reinstate harmful tropes to both genders, and overall control how black people are seen by non-black people. Happy to hear anyone's opinion on that and chat about this further!

[@artisticaperture846]

Glad you guys made a video supporting trans people. A while back I saw your channel being recommended in terf circles

[@anaj835]

Fun Fact: Zeke Smith from Survivor 33 and 34 is in Disclosure.

[@manasvisharma4990]

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS VIDEO. I love your channel so much. So entertaining, informative as well as educational!!!

[@KaylaNoelle1]

Could you do a whole video about Theo and his confidence journey? He's one of my favourite characters ever.

[@13myrrh]

I know you can't include every movie but I wish you mentioned Victor/Victoria . It's a very interesting twist on the 'man in a dress' trope. And Julie Andrews is phenomenal in it.

[@Moonstreamfeline]

for those who think trans guys are underrepresented - Jammidodger, Noah Finance, Ty Turner and many more are some cool trans guy youtubers you can watch :) share any others you know (I've learned a lot thru trans tiktok as well)

[@caitlin329]

I think Denise Bryson in Twin Peaks is more complicated than its brief appearance in the 'man in a dress' section. Kind of surprised it wasn't properly mentioned, actually. It's almost part of the transition period I think, especially taking into account The Return.

[@AB-dm1wz]

Did you mention Dog Day Afternoon? I really hope you guys mentioned Dog Day Afternoon. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it. It's such a good film.

[@AB-dm1wz]

@@elizabethdegroot89 Too much work

[@fatimagic1365]

as other people in the comments have said, no shade to billy porter, but the women on pose make and carry that show. it's extremely telling how eager straight cis white critics (and i say this is a cis woman) are to pat themselves on the back for praising the show but constantly snub mj rodriguez and dominique jackson in particular despite them being two of the lead characters and porter being the only major cis character on the show. it's really frustrating because rodriguez and jackson should have won emmys for that national anthem lip sync and :you get to choose loneliness" (respectively) alone. whenever privileged actors step into a marginalized role (i.e. cis people playing trans roles or able-bodied people playing disabled roles, etc.), they're always awarded and talked about how "brave" they are, but the second marginalized performers get a chance to represent their own experiences (because they're literally NEVER given a chance to play any other roles) they're seen as "limiting themselves." just say you don't want real diversity on screen and go.

[@robint8855]

y’all should watch Disclosure on Netflix. A documentary hosted by trans people on exactly this topic

[@finpin2622]

I'm so glad to see more trans people on screen nowadays, although I do certainly think there could be improvements in representation. I'm looking forward to wayching Pose, though, I've heard such great stuff about it! Honestly what I really want, as a massive scifi/fantasy nerd, is trans folks in scifi movies. I mean, come on... gays in space... but also there's so many interesting things you can do with gender in a futuristic world!! Or in a fantasy setting? Just... give me that and I'll be happy.

[@sifatshams1113]

One reason I really hated The Hangover 2 is that it turned one of my favorite adult film stars into a mean punchline. Fuck that movie.

[@IvyWolk]

worked with Silas Howard last summer! he is an amazing director. so cool to see him mentioned here

[@taronrose8896]

My issue is you bringing up Rupaul's Drag Race. RuPaul is VERY transphobic, even misgendering a drag queen on his show. He also has said many slurs.

[@pagusmusic6254]

we need more trans stories, great analysis! Disclosure was a huge revelation!

[@Leto85]

As a heterosexual man in a man's body I can only imagine how difficult it must be for transgender people in society. I am very glad to see we are slowly but steadily heading towards a new future where hopefully people look at a person as who that person decides him/her/itself who that person is, as I believe only they themselves have the right to decide that. But what about people who are religious and from that point have difficulty accepting transgender people? Not because out of hatred, but because they truly believe that God/Allah haven't meant a person to be like this? Can we accept these people as well? I know I can. I have a Muslim friend who is not fond of this but doesn't go out of her way to persecute or ridicule them either. That for me is not only understandable, it is acceptable as well. I'm curious to see how the future will include them with different opinions into acceptance as well.

[@JNava]

First trans movie I saw was on Lifetime it was called “A Girl Like Me” I’ll never forget that movie, it was a sad movie the way people did her wrong.

[@Dauerglotzer123]

For the silence of the lambs it was stated that he wasnt truly trans, he just hated himself so much he thought being someone else would solve his issues for him

[@boyroy4u]

The Canadian skit comedy show Kids in the Hall was a really fun example if cross-dressing on screen, not to make fun of the concept of men dressing as women, but to explore the types of female characters they included in their skits. They played a lot of middle aged moms and wives, and their other characters were just as over the top and extreme in how they displayed their maleness. (This comment is meant to reflect on the idea of drag on TV, not Trans representation, as those are two different things entirely)

[@pincmin]

I've just remembered Tangerine (2015). It's played by trans women but it's not about being trans, no social commentary whatsoever, which I find revolutionary. If you like fun, adrenaline filled movies you should definitely check it.

[@vlaf9]

I really liked the movie Boy Meets Girl (2014). Very positive, and just around that tipping point you're talking about. Also starring a trans-woman as the lead role.

[@MrHootiedean]

I highly recommend a film I came across on Amazon Prime called Trade. It's a story of an interracial hook up between two men where one is a transgender sex worker who ends up helping the other come out with his female side. It's insightful, well acted with enough melodrama to make it entertaining, too. Please check it out! It needs more recognition.

[@animeluver45]

Omg I loved Pose! Really really awesome show about being trans, the ballroom culture, and it is such a heartwarming show.

[@lilybarnes-taylor652]

I’m actually using a bunch of these examples in an essay I’m doing for school! Thank you!

[@SingingSealRiana]

a very good example of how to tread a gender not conforming character not as a joke, mentioning some issues even though their exact identity is never explored is val from the bbc show uncle. He uses male pronouns, though it is not exactly clear if by his own choice of just having given up on it, calls himself a father, also often referes to himself as a gurl or lady and dresses very confidently in female coded attire. He is the father of the mcs love interest and gets never treated as a joke. I do not need a lable for val, val is simply great as he is, an absolute force to be reconed with, very layered, intimidating, having kind of a bleeding heart for the mc against his will, fiercly protectiv of his daughter and everyone he deems his, hilarious on other peoples expenses, against his will acting as the mcs fairy godmother and most of all, absolutly unoppologeticly himself! Val is simply a delight to watch, even if he does not fit any box cleanly and it should not be half as much fun to watch him engage in threats and acts of voilance. Just with how much time is invested in his conflicted relationship with the mc, the compassion he has for him despite dispising him at the beginning, how the mc starts to come to him with every problem like a lost puppy despite every and all logic . . . to be honest, their relationship as weird and undefinable as it is, is by fare my favorit thing in the show, that is supposed to focus on entirely different relationships.

[@sylviebrebach8371]

Druck season 3 is perhaps more obscure, but I found to be great representation. A trans actor playing a trans character, who is explored in depth and shown having a relationship as a trans gay person :)

[@ChannelMialee]

About Silence of the Lambs. It is clearly stated in the movie and (if I recall it correctly) the book that Buffalo Bill is not transgender. He hates himself because of his childhood and abuse,thus confusing his self loathing with being transgender. To be fair this does not annoy me at all. It has a certain truth to it. I have met trans gender people who really hated themselves and especially their bodies and who worked a lot in order to overcome this. I have also met people who weren' t actually transgender but had psychiatric conditions that led them to believe they were, at least for sometime. This is why in my country you have to have clearance from a state psyciatrist after 2 years (I think) of seeing one. If we must talk about a trooe concerning Silence of the Lambs, I think the trope of the violent person with mental health issues should apply, not the trans one. Lack of mental health rarely leads to violence towards others. However to be fair serial killers probable have some sort of mental issue so it is not totally inaccurate. In conclusion, I never thought of Buffalo Bill as transgender, neither Norman Bates btw (I see your point there, I just find it to be a strech, he was more on the oedipus syndrom side of the road). Generally these movies explain really well.that this has nothing to do with gender confusion but with actual mental issues.

[@Rain-kp2nf]

I see Pose on the thumbnail, I click right away.