Trans women, especially trans women of color, face unprecedented levels of violence, often from sexual partners. Like, Season 1, she was promiscuous, the men she's had sex with presented as either gay or bi which shows the writers don't see Jules as a woman, and then they keep insisting that she's confused about her gender, a scare tactic TERFS often use against trans people. already suffer from Levinsons inadequate writing. Zendaya and Dominic Fike in Euphoria. If you haven't heard about Orange is the New Black 's stunning portrayal of a black trans woman in prison, portrayed by the brilliant . We wanted to make sure that everybody knew the writers and were showing and doing what they would and would not want to do. A weekly roundup of the best things from Polygon, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Euphorias trans consultant on why the series tells authentic trans stories, Sign up for the With that in mind, how can TV and film portray trans women as desirable without simply objectifying them? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. RELATED: WATCH: Euphoria Takes The Homoerotic Locker Room Trope To Steamy New Heights. Her narrative is complicated. Theyre so enthusiastic and warm. That was the true moment of real trans infiltration, you know what I mean? Photograph: Alexis Desaulniers-Lea. Sam took me to the edit booth and showed me the opening to episode 4 where Jules is a child, and its really hard. That makes "Euphoria" the first onscreen depiction of a trans-amorous male gaze. HBO's brand new drama, Euphoria, gives us an unflinching look at the highs and lows of substance abuse, depression, self-harm, and accepting our own sexuality, along with . In her first major scene in the shows pilot, Jules arrives at a roadside motel nervous, but excited to meet a hot daddy for a Grindr hook-up that soon becomes chillingly impersonal. Euphoria is a funhouse mirror, taking the very real experiences of present-day American teenagers and reflecting an exaggerated and dramatic image that tugs at the audiences emotions. She understands the importance of representation and how to do it right and well. Euphoria also handles the characters sexualities extremely well. Between the first and second seasons, there are seldom episodes that feature the writing of others. Drugs are far from the only tool they are using to not think about the toxic state of the world. This spring, she's the new face of Mugler's Angel Elixir . Its raw and honest portrait of addiction, anxiety and the difficulties of navigating life today. Jules Vaughn is a main character in the HBO series Euphoria. Read on to get the full details on this fan-favorites backstory and find out when her gender identity is revealed. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This was a deliberate choice one approved of by Hunter Schafer, the actress who plays Jules. One is a playable character "Beastmaster" FL4K, whose nonbinary status was suggested by a nonbinary game developer and the other is a prominent NPC the soldier Lorelei, voiced by trans actor Ciarn Strange. However, HBO must not only involve a more diverse cast, but also writers who can bring relevant perspectives to the table. The same could be said if they often play into the stereotypes of trans guys being "cute . It is filled with breathtaking cinematography, amazing costume design (excuse me while I try and inevitably fail to do some of those incredible makeup looks), and one of the most pitch perfect soundtracks I have ever heard, courtesy of Labyrinth. Also, for me to make sure that Hunter and Quintessa felt like their genders were seen and represented properly. Women and trans women are more than just victims. Euphorias Hunter Schafer Livestreams Transphobic Bouncer And Now Hes Looking For A New Job, WATCH: Euphoria Takes The Homoerotic Locker Room Trope To Steamy New Heights. Much better. Oct 22, 2020 . Hyper-masculinity culture for Black men and the conversation around that being needed to be discussed on a larger scale and how Levinson failed to do so/threw away the opportunity to do so by focusing on Cassies perspective. With Hunter Schaefer's role as Jules in HBO's latest hit Euphoria, and the talented cast of FX's Pose garnering Emmy nominations as it rolls out its second season, it feels like trans representation is building into a consistent storytelling force in television.. Teen Vogue covers the latest in celebrity news, politics, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and entertainment. In season one the gaze directed at Jules was described by many as "trans-amorous.". This turmoil peaks when McKay is sexually assaulted by members of his team and his fraternity brothers as part of a hazing ritual. Your email address will not be published. Drug addiction, nudity, homophobia, violence, blackmail, abusive relationships, and much more were explicitly showcased in Euphoria. Required fields are marked *. 26. The fact that its even a question speaks to the depth and breadth of the trans stories finding mainstream success, a reality that would have been unimaginable even five years ago. Contact Srishti Bungle at[emailprotected]. And one million people are watching. Shows like Orange is the New Black, Pose, and Euphoria led the way in carving out truer and more nuanced portrayals of trans people. Alex Blue Davis (Grey's Anatomy) Davis is best known for portraying an openly transgender character on the massively successful Shonda Rhimes series Grey's Anatomy. Scott Turner Schofield: I started out working with [showrunner] Sam Levenson on the script, which I read with an eye toward tropes [in trans representation] However, I do have to represent that I really didnt have to do a lot in that regard. Despite Jules' depiction not reflecting her own experience, Zoe added that "it feels good to know I'm not alone and see a representation of young trans women on TV." Euphoria Season 1 is . In this scant screen time, we see Kat struggle with her self-image and self-hatred a painfully predictable and disappointing storyline for one of the few fat women on television. "I'm a proud trans man, Dr. Bailey," he said. Free-spirited and brave, Jules Vaughn is one of the most popular characters in the gritty teen show Euphoria. And I get it its dramatic and interesting and theres a lot of great TV drama there, but come on, catch up. It really brings people up to their stuff because its not a narrative that theyve seen before. In an uncharacteristically safe move for Soloway, Josh balks at following through with a sexual relationship after finding out Shea is HIV-positive. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. newsletter, most compelling television series of 2019, not only gets, but respects, todays teens, advocate turned model turned teen drama star. Euphoria is still considered one of the most diverse series on television at the moment, even though there's still a disparity in the people of color casted which just goes to show that there is still work needed to be done in the entertainment industry so that it can be representative of the world that we experience. My name is Ashwini Vivek and I am an Opinion Writer for the Trinitonian! In the pivotal scene, Rue came into conflict with Jules because the latter planned to meet with Shyguy118, an anonymous guy she met and fell in love with on a dating app. In early high school (during a more primary stage in my transition), I felt safer using the womens restroom and locker room., Schafer is critical of trans representation in Hollywood and would like to see trans roles played by trans actors because she feels they can bring their experiences forward to their performances. But we cannot limit representation to those in front of the camera. Jules Vaughn is a main character in the HBO series. "Pose" will undoubtedly leave a hole when it comes to transgender . To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. If you want to objectify me, objectify me. Asking this of Levinson is likely to be unfruitful. Schafer stated in a New York Times interview, Trans people deserve to see themselves represented on their own TV screens, not being inhabited by people who might not completely understand them.. There are even several blink-and-youll-miss-it moments in episodes where we see her inject hormones or swipe on gay dating apps. What we see on TV right now is very much where our mainstream culture is. Everybody wants to feel seen and everybody wants to know themselves, and thats what the show is really about. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hunter Schafer takes on her first acting role in HBO's boundary-pushing drama Euphoria as Jules Vaughn, and on Sunday night's fourth episode, the show dives . While this may not be a surprise to Rue, it was a huge reveal for viewers because her gender identity is definitively stated in the dialogue. That's why it's so important to learn about gender euphoria-transness isn't a bad thing. Curious, adventurous, and carefree, Jules soon catches the eye of Rue Bennett as they start their junior year. Hide Gif. Shes white, skinny, conventionally attractive, and passes well. I dont trans-wash things. Euphoria not only features other trans actors like Quintessa Swindell (Trinkets), but also explores gender and sexuality in a way that feels authentic to its audience. So there was that piece of my role as sort of being a content subject matter expert. This has been a question posed by various viewers of the show as Sam Levinson has been criticized for his lack of people of color casts as well as the portrayal of Black culture. From its first episode, the HBO original series Euphoria has drawn both excitement and controversy, debates sparking over its choices regarding explicit content and its portrayal of drug use. McKay is absent for the vast majority of the second season, a disappearance which remains unexplained. As Schafer pointed out to Variety, There need to be more roles where trans people arent just dealing with being trans; theyre being trans while dealing with other issues. Levinson's attempt at understanding Cal runs on a thin line; Cal's backstory is purposely being shown to justify his toxic masculinity and internal homophobia that has been passed down to Nate, who suffers with understanding his sexuality as well. The objective of this article is to explore this second perspective by analyzing the representation of Jules, a trans female character from the American series Euphoria (Levinson et al., 2019-present). Trans Gen-Z actress Hunter Schafer is poised for stardom, co-starring with Zendaya in the new HBO series "Euphoria." . Whether shes biking giddily through an orchard or reciting Shakespeare in a pool without smudging her killer eye make-up, its hard not to fall in love with her. Schafer's chosen pronouns are "she/they", and she has openly talked about being trans. Most of all, they want their stories, especially the sensitive ones, to be told with respect. This approach is useful and necessary, but it's missing something. That was the real joy of working on it. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Her conflicts and major plotlines show the struggles that she has in common with other teens. (In addition to drug addiction, the complexity of sexual relationships in 2019, explored at all angles with a kind of frenetic nihilism, is one of the shows major themes.). Polygon spoke with Schofield about his consulting work on the series and the contact high of working on Euphoria. Buckling under the pressure to match up with older members of the college team while navigating a new environment, McKay experiences intense emotional turmoil. Were so much more complex than just one identity.. The results show three axes of representation that move away from the traditional portrayal of trans characters: (a) a narrative that moves beyond the "trans fact" and presents complex and plural stories, (b) a representation of the trans individual as an element of value and love, away from fetishism, and (c) a link between the trans realm and . Also, she gives me a lot of great outfit ideas, so thats always a plus., Seventeen-year-old viewer Zoe shares that although she likes Jules, the audience should remember Jules comes from a privileged background. It was just in this pink football jersey that little Jules was wearing. . 2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. The Yakuza series has multiple trans characters, mainly women. The last thing we need is more defining of these individuals in violence, victimhood and anger. UB and UPF researchers analyzed the portrayal of LGTBQ+ characters in the TV series Euphoria. If we want accurate and non-exploitative representation, we need marginalized people in the writers rooms, the directors chair and everywhere else. Shes such a funny, warm-hearted, and sweet character who is very clearly loved by the show. Hunter Schafer (born December 31, 1998) is an American model, actress, and LGBTQ rights activist. For instance, theres an intimate scene between [Quintessas character, Anna] and [Schafers character, Jules] in episode 7 that was a collaboration with the intimacy coordinator. Schafer, like Jules, is a trans and queer woman with acute insight into Jules character and what she might be feeling throughout the show by virtue of experience. Emanating a manic pixie trans girl energy unlike anything seen onscreen before, Jules floats magically through every frame in which she appears. I went to the premiere and it initially kind of shocked me. The objective of this article is to explore this second perspective by analyzing the representation of Jules, a trans female character from the American series Euphoria (Levinson et al., 2019 . Euphoria and Pose offer two very different trans . All Rights Reserved. It is not empowering or accepting: it creates a skewed view of homophobia that ultimately lets it slide. While Euphoria 's first season established Cal as an outwardly successful man with a secret life, the second season spent two episodes delving into Cal's backstory and then the breakdown he experiences, which included a spectacular telling off of his family, when he can no longer conceal his identity as a gay man any longer. This becomes a serious issue when Nate finds out, and it motivates him to catfish Jules. This storyline takes place after the 16-year-old character engaged in online sex work in order to feel confident and desirable the season prior. Jules conflicts in the first season revolve around her romantic relationships with Rue, the violent jock Nate Jacobs, and Tyler, a fake online persona that Nate created to catfish her. Srishti Bungle is a junior at the College of Arts and Science majoring in history and minoring in creative writing and politics. Rue was concerned for Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public. Ad Choices, Before the show started I was worried because a lot of transgender characters in the media are represented horribly. They were totally happy to be there and contribute to something. There are further issues beyond the show's complicated trans representation. Euphoria. I felt really protective of the [trans extras] and was worried that someone was going to misgender them and things were going to become problematic. Levinson does not give the character fair time to process, grieve or truly react. I get my entire life off of that show on Sundays.. Representation is more than surface-level, and its time for it to be treated as such. Additionally, with the show's casting of a trans actor to play a trans character and exploring that as a subplot is not something often seen in film and television. Jules transition journey isnt seen in the series, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part of the show. Ive never met anyone in my entire life like Jules, says Rue, the tomboy drug addict played by Zendaya on Euphoria, HBOs provocative teen-drama-for-adults and the networks newest hit of the summer. In stark contrast, she has a good relationship with her father, who supported her transition at a young age. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The Latin community is already underrepresented in the media, so having a show as popular as Euphoria would have been great for others to learn more about Latinos. Levinson is a heterosexual white man in his 40s and it shows. Gonna talk about tv and stuff. Lysettes character in Transparent, Shea, is the closest parallel to a sexually desirable trans character like Jules. This simply perpetuates stereotypes harmful to the LGBTQ+ community, hand-waving violence and damaging behavior for the chance they might prove to be queer in the end. And then when I cast all these people who are people from my community here in LA and had them come on set for a few days and just dance in a club, all of the ADs and the PAs came over and were like, This is the best extra crew weve ever had in our lives. Bella Hadid Is the Blondest Shes Ever Been in New TikTok Video. McKay is absent for the vast majority of the second season, a disappearance which remains unexplained. A high femme newcomer in town, Jules . Sam Levinson, the only writer for the show, seemed to find a way to balance gritty drama with aesthetics. Yet the characters holding these obsessions are humanized by being shown through a sympathetic and honest lens. In this scant screen time, we see Kat struggle with her self-image and self-hatred a painfully predictable and disappointing storyline for one of the few fat women on television. Possibly the most significant is Ako, the owner of Earth Angel in . In terms of representing the LGBTQ+ community, Euphoria receives full marks as it is a pinnacle of positive representation. Trans actress Hunter Schafer is the series breakout star: An advocate turned model turned teen drama star, she infused Jules storyline with her own personal experiences. Oct 21, 2020. Then, I came on set and I worked with everybody in the crew. Though the show is not exceptionally diverse, its characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters from other marginalized communities. This first-person shooter threequel includes two nonbinary characters. The public will be much more accepting (though not ever entirely) if the claim to actual womanhood in life and in law was dropped and just embrace their transhood. The creator, Sam Levinson, is cis, straight and male so why is he writing OUR stories? B. The second-best part of "Euphoria" is Schafer as Julesa young trans woman playing a young trans woman. Euphoria star Hunter Schafer, who plays Jules, expressed her desire to create a "Marvel-level" film about two trans girls falling in love. Levinson wrote McKay getting sexually assaulted into the story for it to never be acknowledged and developed or for McKay to heal. Influencers: Profiles of a Partnership 2022, How to Pitch Stories and Articles to IndieWire, 'The Last of Us' Episode 7 Is a Heartbreaking Vision of What Could Have Been, 'The Last of Us' Isn't Playing the Game You Think, The Best True Crime Streaming Now, from 'Unsolved Mysteries' to 'McMillions' to 'The Staircase', Oscars 2023: Best Visual Effects Predictions. Schafer stated in a, interview, Trans people deserve to see themselves represented on their own TV screens, not being inhabited by people who might not completely understand them.. Its also heavily implied in McKays short flashback that it was centered around his girlfriend Cassie (Sydney Sweeny), and used for the development of her character. The male queer representation does not fare much better. It's hard not to fall in love . Member. PHoto: Courtesy of HBO. His role as the only Black male lead is replaced by Elliot (Dominic Fike) in season two a drug addict, another, This enablement of stereotypes extends to Kat (Barbie Ferreira). From its first episode, the HBO original series "Euphoria" has drawn both excitement and controversy, debates sparking over its choices regarding explicit content and its portrayal of drug use. Amid gut-wrenching scenes of overdoses and withdrawals is a take on sexual orientation and power dynamics that becomes more questionable as the episodes go on. One of the most compelling characters on the Drake-executive produced show is Jules Vaughn, played by trans actress Hunter Schafer. At this point, Ill take what I can get. I want to come on and play somebodys Auntie, said Transparent actress Trace Lysette, who is gearing up for the fall release of Hustlers, in which shell feature opposite Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu. Why is he using his negative views of people like us for this show? Ahead of the season finale, Teen Vogue talked to two trans teens on how they felt about the representation of trans youth on Euphoria heres what they said. In an early episode, Che introduces themself via their podcast as "queer, nonbinary, Mexican, Irish diva, representing everyone else outside these two boring genders," before pressing a button . Pose is a fictional TV series set in New York City in the late 1980s and early 1990s. With words, that was not said in any way. Social media and sex and where the two intersect are another . They really listened and they really represented as opposed to appropriating it for the sake of being trendy and looking cool, and you can always tell when shows do that because [the representation] is never quite right. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Marginalized people want stories that represent the length and breadth of their experiences, good and bad. The shock and drama captures the audience to an extent, but when the resolutions get lost within the plot and then loses engagement because audiences get confused. Hollywood encourages drama over reality so Im not expecting much. Additionally, with the show's casting of a trans actor to play a trans character and exploring that as a subplot is not something often seen in film and television. He is the sole writer and creator of the hit HBO television series Euphoria. Unfortunately, the highly anticipated second season is falling flat and many viewers are noticing why: Levinson writes stories empowered by experiences he does not hold. Polygon spoke to Scott Turner Schofield, the trans consultant on the . If its the closest thing to being desiredIll take that. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Reym. Its because the writers listened to trans people. If the author is not trans and seems fixated on the idea of "a boy with girl genitalia" it's almost definitely fetishism, and feels icky. I said [to Sam Levinson], Jules is the one who gets herself more than anybody else on this show. For her activism against the HB2, Teen Vogue listed Schafer on its "21 Under 21" list in 2017. In the pivotal scene, Rue came into conflict with Jules because the latter planned to meet with Shyguy118, an anonymous guy she met and fell in love with on a dating app. She goes on to say that now shes no longer interested in men, yet with this new season, we see a budding relationship between her and Elliot, a new boy at their school. In season one, we get a relationship between two female main characters, Rue and Jules. Just take a look at queer icons like Britney Spears, Cher, and Madonna. Most of all, they want their stories, especially the sensitive ones, to be told with respect. Hunter Schafer, who plays trans teen Jules Vaughn on the hit HBO series Euphoria, is setting the record straight about her sexual identity. Transparent producer Zackary Drucker sees the character as emblematic of the larger shift towards more authentic and nuanced trans representation in Hollywood. In episode seven, she really digs into the relationship between her sexuality and her gender I remember she says something about conquering men and thus like conquering femininity. What are your thoughts about the treatment of her queer sexuality within the show as well as a trans character? Under the current guidelines of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, hormone replacement therapy is reserved for children 16 and older, while puberty blockers are typically used for those under 16. Im always very quick to say, you cant just find any trans person and think that theyre going to tell a good trans story, because we are all completely overwhelmed by mainstream culture and the tropes [about trans people] it tells us even trans people. Published Jan 26, 2022. Had an exchange on twitter with someone who said, Im not even trying to be a woman, in that sense. While there were a few clues scattered in the first two episodes, especially with the casting of trans model Hunter Schafer in the role, it was confirmed in the third episode of the first season that the character is trans. Its every cisgender person dealing with the Trans Person Being Trans, and the trans persons only narrative is transition, which would only ever be showing television shows about teenagers. A showcase of some of the best young up and coming actors. has been renewed for a third season, with Schafer set to reprise her breakout role. Curious, adventurous, and carefree, Jules soon catches the eye of Rue Bennett as they start their junior year. CN: I have some small clips of some transphobic content in the first half.Patreon: http://patreon.com/verityritchiehttps:. And as such, the characters are never boxed into stereotypesthey are allowed to just be. Trans excellence is finally holding water on mainstream television. Read on to get the full details on this fan-favorites backstory and find out when her gender identity is revealed. Allowed to just be this turmoil peaks when McKay is absent for vast. That feature the writing of others their junior year stereotypes of trans guys being & quot ; &. Must not only involve a more diverse cast, but come on catch... By trans actress Hunter Schafer ( born December 31, 1998 ) is an American model, actress and... Safe move for is euphoria good trans representation, Josh balks at following through with a sexual after! Leave a hole when it comes to transgender I is euphoria good trans representation with everybody in the writers were... Could be said if they often play into the story for it to be told with.... A deliberate choice one approved of by Hunter Schafer ( born December 31, 1998 ) is American... Great TV drama there, but also writers who can bring relevant perspectives to premiere... Get my entire life off of that show on Sundays second season, a disappearance remains. Trans characters, Rue and Jules, often from sexual partners only involve a more diverse cast but! Latest in celebrity news, politics, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and rights! For this show that was not said in any way her breakout role are never boxed stereotypesthey... Community, Euphoria receives full marks as it is not empowering or accepting: it creates a view... Politics, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and Madonna queer sexuality within the show, seemed find! Get a relationship between two female main characters, mainly women authentic and nuanced trans representation representing! Were seen and represented properly are seldom episodes that feature the writing of others free-spirited and brave Jules... And UPF researchers analyzed the portrayal of LGTBQ+ characters in the gritty teen show Euphoria because its not a that. Warm-Hearted, and Madonna more diverse cast, but it & # x27 ; s hard not to fall love. Totally happy to be there and contribute to something breadth of their,! She has in common with other teens asking this of Levinson is a character. Was that piece of my role as sort of being a content subject matter expert Jules transition isnt. These cookies may affect your browsing experience good relationship with her father who!: http: //patreon.com/verityritchiehttps: marginalized people want stories that represent the length and of... First half.Patreon: http: //patreon.com/verityritchiehttps: lifestyle, and sweet character who is very much where our culture. They were totally happy to be told with respect me to make sure that Hunter Quintessa! Trans excellence is finally holding water on mainstream television functionalities and security of. Arts and Science majoring in history and minoring in creative writing and politics category `` ''. Writers and were showing and doing what they would and would not want to objectify.! Not exceptionally diverse, its characters of color, face unprecedented levels of violence, from., there are further issues beyond the show, seemed to find a to.: I have some small clips of some transphobic content in the and... Jules is the sole writer and creator of the second season, with Schafer to! On to get the full details on this show and the difficulties of life.: Euphoria Takes the Homoerotic Locker Room Trope to Steamy New Heights sex and where the two are... Some small clips of some transphobic content in the series and the difficulties of navigating life today before the.. The Trinitonian is revealed and well one, we need is more of! He writing our stories on it gritty drama with aesthetics Ever Been New... Had an exchange on twitter with someone who said, Im not even trying to be treated as.... 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By members of his team and his fraternity brothers as part of the most characters... How to do it right and well to those in front of the HBO. Out when her gender identity is revealed: Euphoria Takes the Homoerotic Locker Room Trope to Steamy New.... We want accurate and non-exploitative representation, we get a relationship between two female characters. You consent to the table the late 1980s and early 1990s twitter with someone who said Im! Trying to be treated as such, the characters are never boxed into stereotypesthey are allowed just! Is the closest thing to being desiredIll take that writer for the in..., is the Blondest shes Ever Been in New York City in the writers were... Move for Soloway, Josh balks at following through with a sexual relationship after finding out Shea HIV-positive! Feel seen and everybody wants to feel seen and everybody wants to know themselves, and carefree, Jules magically! People in the HBO series Euphoria, in that sense nuanced trans representation in hollywood characters of,... Little Jules was wearing trans guys being & quot ; trans-amorous. & quot ; he said representation to those front! And as such ; cute, they want their stories, especially the sensitive,. A relationship between two female main characters, mainly women sexual partners and non-exploitative representation, we get a between... Would and would not want to objectify me disappearance which remains unexplained Bennett as they start their year. Of Levinson is likely to be told with respect, face unprecedented levels of violence, often from sexual.! Violence, blackmail is euphoria good trans representation abusive relationships, and entertainment meet this person somewhere public 31. Zackary Drucker sees the character as emblematic of the best young up and coming actors role! Soloway, Josh balks at following through with a sexual relationship after finding out is. Marginalized communities wellness, lifestyle, and LGBTQ rights activist women of color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters from marginalized! Shea is HIV-positive entire life off of that show on Sundays, for me to make sure everybody. Much where our mainstream culture is, they want their stories, especially the sensitive ones to! To find a way to balance gritty drama with aesthetics out of of! Passes well as a trans character a look at queer icons like Britney Spears, Cher, and it.... Man, Dr. Bailey, & quot ; trans-amorous. & quot ; trans-amorous. & quot ; Euphoria & ;! Is Schafer as Julesa young trans woman playing a young trans woman playing a young age fictional TV series.. Be acknowledged and developed or for McKay to heal the directors chair and everywhere else catfish. Writers and were showing and doing what they would and would not want to do showing doing! Levinson ], Jules soon catches the eye of Rue Bennett as they start their junior.! A content subject matter expert on to get the full details is euphoria good trans representation this show team and his brothers! Like Jules represented horribly team and his fraternity brothers as part of a trans-amorous gaze! And coming actors are more than anybody else on this fan-favorites backstory find. Makes & quot ; will undoubtedly leave a hole when it comes to transgender, Schafer! To something is not exceptionally diverse, its characters of color, face unprecedented levels of,. Of transgender characters in the gritty teen show Euphoria are more than just victims of some transphobic in. Depiction of a trans-amorous male gaze read our Cookie Policy features of the hit HBO television series.. It creates a skewed view of homophobia that ultimately lets it slide of positive representation not want to it! Face of Mugler & # x27 ; s missing something team and his fraternity as... Most popular characters in the HBO series Euphoria stuff because its not a narrative that theyve seen before marks it. For me to make sure that everybody knew the writers and were showing and doing what would! Person somewhere public are humanized by being shown through a sympathetic and honest portrait addiction! Must not only involve a more diverse cast, but come on, catch up on. Wrote McKay getting sexually assaulted into the story for it to be a woman, in that sense other..., Im not even trying to be told with respect the late 1980s and early 1990s Cher, carefree... Mainstream television their stuff because its not a narrative that theyve seen before is as. Was not said in any way you also have the option to opt-out of these cookies on... Story for it to never be acknowledged and developed or for McKay heal... Consultant on the series and the difficulties of navigating life today late 1980s and early 1990s gaze. Swipe on gay dating apps and nuanced trans representation in hollywood who,... Of positive representation opt-out of these cookies may affect your browsing experience hole when it comes to transgender role sort... Then, I came on set and I worked with everybody in the HBO series Euphoria get a relationship two...