by Joanna Nicholls | Jan 29, 2024 | Activism, News
The charity Mermaids, which offers support services to transgender young people and their caregivers in the UK, was once portrayed in the media as a respected source of advice and information. But by 2022, this had changed. (The Conversation)
Our recent study showed that negative attention to the charity peaked in 2022, a year that saw British newspapers regularly publishing stories that helped establish an image of Mermaids as a danger to young people. Similar complaints and concerns from members of the public led the Charity Commission to open a regulatory compliance case on Mermaids, in late September 2022.
Our findings show how some media outlets have used negative representations of Mermaids to imply that those who support trans young people are untrustworthy. Such representations have threatened to turn the organisation into a weapon against the very people it is trying to help.
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by Joanna Nicholls | Apr 12, 2023 | Media, Positive
In today’s world, media and entertainment hold immense power in shaping society’s perceptions and understanding of various communities, including the transgender community. With increased visibility and authentic representation, the media can be a powerful ally in raising awareness and promoting acceptance. In this blog post, we will delve into the history of transgender representation, examine influential transgender actors and characters, discuss the positive effects of visibility, and explore the future of representation in media.
The History of Transgender Representation in Media
The journey of transgender representation in media has been a long and complex one, marked by both progress and setbacks. Early examples of transgender characters and portrayals can be traced back to the 1950s, when Christine Jorgensen, a transgender woman, became a media sensation for her gender affirmation surgery. Although this brought some attention to transgender issues, it was still very limited and often sensationalized. It wasn’t until the 1992 film, “The Crying Game,” that a transgender character played a significant role in a mainstream movie, breaking new ground for transgender visibility. Over time, the representation of transgender individuals has evolved, with an increasing number of complex and diverse portrayals on screen. However, many of these portrayals have also perpetuated harmful stereotypes or focused on the characters’ transition as their sole defining attribute.
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