Trans Community Concerns About L Word
Published March 19, 2006
We, as members and allies of the various trans communities, bring forth this petition to formally vocalize our growing concerns about the nature of trans inclusion on Season 3 of the L Word. While we thoroughly recognize and applaud the inclusion of trans experiences and related challenges in the plot of the "L Word," we believe that the current portrayal of Max's character represents several egregious and damaging stereotypes of transmen.
Many of the aspects of Max's character arc are based on the stereotype that transmen are driven by and use testosterone as an excuse to become abusive, violent, and over-sexualized. We believe that this is inherently transphobic, inaccurate and exaggerates most transmasculine experiences of testosterone. This also dangerously implies that people who physically transition cannot control of their actions under the influence of hormones.
Further, much Max's physical transition is inaccurate and very misleading. Max's transition is sped up to cover several years of physical changes in a few months which extensively inflates a person's physical transition. Max uses street hormones without the supervision of a doctor, a *highly* dangerous practice, the risks of which are not acknowledged on the show. Lack of access to trans-sensitive medical care is a huge issue for people of trans experience and it often takes years to even be able to access hormones and surgery, (which does not even include the financial barriers that are mentioned in the plot.)
While we respect the use of poetic license to create engaging storylines, we consider the overall portrayal of Max to be socially irresponsible and ultimately damaging to a community that already faces extreme levels of discrimination. Particularly given the paucity of information available about the transmasculine experience and the ground breaking nature of the L Word, it is even more disappointing that the L Word's inclusion chooses to portray transmen in this way.
We request that as the new season of the L Word is written that these factors are taken into consideration and are incorporated into / addressed in the L Word plot. We would love to see Max engage with other more positively portrayed members of the trans and genderqueer spectrums to balance out this portrayal, particularly through groups like LA based FTM Alliance (www.FTMAlliance.org) and trans partner/trans-amorous support groups. Further, we request that a diversity transpeople be involved as consultants during the plot development to ensure a more accurate and inclusive representation of gender diverse experiences as the show moves forward.
Many of the aspects of Max's character arc are based on the stereotype that transmen are driven by and use testosterone as an excuse to become abusive, violent, and over-sexualized. We believe that this is inherently transphobic, inaccurate and exaggerates most transmasculine experiences of testosterone. This also dangerously implies that people who physically transition cannot control of their actions under the influence of hormones.
Further, much Max's physical transition is inaccurate and very misleading. Max's transition is sped up to cover several years of physical changes in a few months which extensively inflates a person's physical transition. Max uses street hormones without the supervision of a doctor, a *highly* dangerous practice, the risks of which are not acknowledged on the show. Lack of access to trans-sensitive medical care is a huge issue for people of trans experience and it often takes years to even be able to access hormones and surgery, (which does not even include the financial barriers that are mentioned in the plot.)
While we respect the use of poetic license to create engaging storylines, we consider the overall portrayal of Max to be socially irresponsible and ultimately damaging to a community that already faces extreme levels of discrimination. Particularly given the paucity of information available about the transmasculine experience and the ground breaking nature of the L Word, it is even more disappointing that the L Word's inclusion chooses to portray transmen in this way.
We request that as the new season of the L Word is written that these factors are taken into consideration and are incorporated into / addressed in the L Word plot. We would love to see Max engage with other more positively portrayed members of the trans and genderqueer spectrums to balance out this portrayal, particularly through groups like LA based FTM Alliance (www.FTMAlliance.org) and trans partner/trans-amorous support groups. Further, we request that a diversity transpeople be involved as consultants during the plot development to ensure a more accurate and inclusive representation of gender diverse experiences as the show moves forward.
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