Trans People: A Comedic Prop in Television Film Media

Robert Watson
Nov 3 · 4 min read

Your lying at home watching the television and family guy comes on (Yes), Peter Griffin is dressed as a girl, Quagmires dad has got a sex change and your soon to find out that Bryan has slept with Quagmire’s dad. Bryan just found out, he is now vomiting and your stomach starts to hurt because you can’t stop laughing. But the reality is transgender lives are being laughed at by television writers, editors, producers and broadcasters and here we are laughing alongside them. In doing so, we are encouraging an onslaught towards other humans and their biological right, to think and feel as they wish.

The media is now used as a foreground for the unethical portrayal and victimisation of transgender characters. In turn, this has led to unfair and inappropriate stereotypes that are being treated as valid assessments of human beings, with the transgender community being caught up in this as no more than comedic props. These ideas are then ingrained into the audience watching, forcing them to think this is an acceptable stereotype and social norm. That is why we must notice there has to be a change. Television film media will not give responsible and honest portrayals of transgender characters until we demand it of them.

Transgender Stereotype in Television

Television has served as one of the most influential forms of media and it is such a shame it continues to contribute towards negative transgender stereotypes. For those who have been living under a rock for the past 20 years, the sitcom ‘Friends’, shows the perfect example of how an extremely popular sitcom was able to use a trans character as a comedic tool rather than an equal character. The group’s treatment of Chandlers parent Helena is not respectful and displays a very inaccurate knowledge of gender identity. Several episodes throughout the show ‘Friends’ make reference to chandler’s parent’s non-conformity. The one with Chandler and Monica’s wedding was viewed by 30 million people and throughout make fun of Helen, displaying a disrespectful and inaccurate representation of gender identity. Within the episode, 22 minutes of is it ‘him’ or ‘her’ jokes are used to make the audience laugh at Helen's own expense. The show raises questions as to why they didn’t choose to use Helena’s gender identity as a positive plot point? Instead the stigma society places on anyone who is not “normal” and in this case, a transgender character is unfortunately not resolved throughout the show.

The television animation show Family Guy also continues to challenge and reinforce social norms, misleading the public into an anti-trans movement that continues to be laughed at and not taken seriously. The show takes a more modern approach of victimising transgender people to gain publicity and as a result, categorise trans people. Family Guy associates being transgender with disgust, which plays a key role in shaping attitudes related to sexuality and gender identity. This can be seen in one episode when Bryan finds out he has slept with a trans person and vomits excessively on screen for almost 15 seconds straight. These two examples demonstrate the power of entertainment narratives and there ability to influence negative attitudes and stereotypes towards trans people.

What’s Happening With The Serious Roles?

In more recent matters, outrage arose when Scarlet Johansson was cast for the film “Rub and Tug”, where she was set to play a transgender man. Although, she had to withdraw from the role after facing intense backlash from the LGBT community. This example showed how Hollywood almost doesn’t care by disallowing trans actors the opportunity to portray themselves in movies unless they are laughed upon.

Rewriting the Script

It is now more important than ever to notice the value in creating a positive representation of trans people in contemporary young adult fiction and television. Television needs to be able to portray the role of trans people in a positive light moving forward. As a result of creating transgender protagonists and central characters, it has been able to assert their individual agency, educate an audience and create a sense of self on the viewer.

The importance of this goes beyond poor stereotypes of trans people being moulded by television media and touches on mental and physical well being also. The incorporation of positive trans role models via television media will increase the well-being of trans people and create a sense of belonging for all trans people everywhere.

Robert Watson

Written by

Hey I’m Robbie. I’m hoping to improve my skills in creative writing. Most of my articles will be raising awareness on current issues within the media.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade