I want to unpack some feelings I have about trans characters in media I've been consuming lately but don't know quite how to do it justice, and it's very tricky. There's something here about what you think entertainment media's purpose is in society.
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Like it's clear that we've come a long way from Seinfield's man hands or HIMYM's absolutely atrocious portrayal of a trans woman and constant pot shots. But there's still kind of a mono-narrative around MtF characters even when presented compassionately and I find it irritating.
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At first I chalked this up to the fact that I was mostly consuming media written between 1995-2010 and even the _presence_ of a trans character in a book or show was progressive if not played for cheap laughs.
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And I'll set aside depictions of FtM or nonbinary characters because of course they're completely ignored for the most part (invisible as always) or are portrayed as "nonbinary = basically feminine"
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But there's a very consistent set of stereotypes you run into in media depictions of MtF characters, especially in male-oriented mediums Here are the rules:
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1. MtF characters are permitted their femininity most of the time, but permitted is a very intentional word choice. Other characters very pointedly and casually remind them that they're not really seen this way at a base level whenever it's convenient for a gender-driven plot.
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2. If you get into a magickal or religious context in your media, trans women are always barred from participating in gender-specific magickal acts and the subtext implies that it's because the gods know the difference.
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Replying to @liminal_warmth
I was specifically curious if you were going to tweet or subtweet sandman here
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Replying to @eigenrobot
The whole Moon Road subplot annoyed tf out of me
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Replying to @liminal_warmth
might be worth noting that the mortal characters had a different view of things than the gods, who were kind of assholes throughout
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like there is a very specific parallel drawn between what's-her-names parents and Thessaly
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Replying to @eigenrobot
I'm also gesturing at Y and Saga here though too The writing is not as progressive as it wants to think it's being
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