The evolution of transgenderism in film and literature Peopl

[Anonymous]

Thanks Caty,

An interesting overview of Transgender in film and TV.

Coincidentally Hit and Miss is current on SBS ondemand so you can stream for free. It is a 6 part drama centered on a trans women who is a contract killer. The star is Chloë Sevigny who also had a part in Boys don’t Cry. The series is as much about displacement with the main character being displaced from the city to the country, a trans women needing to be a father.

[Anonymous]

Well I never realised I was famous. To be the star of stage and screen clearly it must have been a previous life. Little bit disappointed in how unaccepting they all were of me in those days. But it does show how far we have come in 50 odd years to go from the fact that Glen / Glenda was looked upon as a freak back then and today despite a few neanderthals running around we seem to be moving forward. One day I shall have to actually sit and watch some of the older films just to see what they are like

[Deleted User]

“One day I shall have to actually sit and watch some of the older films just to see what they are like”

Having seen a few I wouldn’t recommend it, you’ll get frustrated and horrified at how the transgendered were portrayed, Mostly murderers it seems, psychotic murderers, not even the common or garden murderer, we have to be psychotic Hannibal Lektors or Norman’s from Psycho. Even Michael Caine, Alfred, Bruce Wayne’s butler takes to dresses and starts murdering women willy nilly.
A lot of the more conventional stories had women playing a transwoman. ‘I Want What I Want’ starred Anne Heywood, Myra Breckinridge was played by Raquel Welch, Felicity Huffman from Desperate Housewives played a transwoman in Transamerica. But things have improved with genuine trans women playing roles in movies and serials and the fact they are trans is incidental.
While I did get a bit frustrated with Transparent, it seemed to be more about the dysfunctional family than about Maura herself, I have to acknowledge there are more transwomen playing prominent roles in this series than any other, which has to be good thing.

[Veronica]

Hi Sara,

Just finished binge-watching every episode and enjoyed it thoroughly. I realise that the employment of a female (albeit androgynous) actor in a trans woman role will be a concern to many, but this is the most subtle weaving of transgender issues into everyday life I have ever seen

Veronica

[Anonymous]

Hi Veronica,
I agree there are some great subtly in the Hit and Miss portrayal of a trans woman.

[Juliette]

It is getting better where we have stories where being transgender is part of the picture and not the whole picture. Life is complicated and as in my experience one thing does not define me

Juliette

[Phillippa]

Hit and miss is one of my favourite series. Thanks to everyone who brought up this topic!