trans representations on tv

Netflix is often reputed as one of the most progressive and LGBTQ-friendly film production companies.

For many years, the company has helped to raise people’s awareness regarding the matter of LGBTQ+ through many positive portrayals of its products. However, recently, Netflix seems to be not living up to its reputation. On October 5th, the channel aired a comedy special of Dave Chappelle called The Closer. In this special, Dave has made several anti-transgender statements that appear to be overtly transphobic.

In response to this incident, many of Netflix’s transgender employees and allies went on a walkout to demand the company’s CEO to take down the offensive episode.[1] Several online media and internet users took Netflix’s employees’ side and criticized this problematic special.

However, instead of removing the episode, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos stands on Dave’s side and tries to reason for the transphobia of the comedian. He says: "We have a strong belief that content on screen doesn't translate into real-world harm".[1] To make the situation become even worse, Ted Sarandos fired and suspended the trans employees that were on the walkout.[2]

Netflix has been praised for its progress in fighting for positive and authentic LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood, including transgender representation, but now it goes against its will and lets such an incident like this happen. And with a statement like that from the CEO of the company, it really makes us question the ways that Hollywood truly handles the matter of transgenderism.

That's why I, with some amazing help from my friends, decided to analyze some depictions of transgender in Hollywood movies and TV shows to point out and to prove that authentic representations matter:

https://youtu.be/cZJte79cbBA