Ali Otuzoğlu

Currently, the LGBTQ+ rights movement is at an unprecedented pace. It’s evident that new generations are much more respectful of different sexual orientations and gender identities. As we are  approaching a time of universal respect and acceptance in one way or another, we realize how deeply embedded transphobia is in our perception of social nonconformity. While no queer identity is 100% respected in a heteronormative, cissexist and patriarchal society; transgender individuals have been ostracized by their communites, and have been neglected in the LGBTQ+ Pride  movement disproportionately. 

​

While the queer revolution has been initiated and driven by trans sex workers, the LGBTQ+ Pride movement has recently been reduced to gay rights. Usually, the only queer representation we see in the media are eurocentric, upper-middle class, gay men and women. This is reductive of the disparity between queer and non-LGBTQ+ individuals. While popular queer advocacy only consists of shallow remarks of allyship, it is important to realize the sheer importance of  trans visibility and inclusivity. Therefore, we must realize our own transphobic tendencies as well as the institutionalized and pervasive marginalization of the trans community.

​

According to several studies, the majority of people do not personally know a transgender person. Transgender issues are not frequently discussed in schools, let alone in families. As a result, the general perception of transgender identities is formed by media portrayal. Therefore, when it comes to transgender issues, life is quick to imitate art. Personally, when I watched the documentary DisclosureI realized that I, too, have very transphobic unconscious thoughts. For example, in many movies, trans women’s stories usually follow similar patterns. Either, they are portrayed as sex workers who are trying to “manipulate” or “trick” men into having intercourse with them; or, they are used as an object of deeply transphobic and sexist jokes -most of them being (well surprize!!!!) about genitalia. In addition, there’s also the widespread perception that transgender intersectionality is a layer. Many people, unfortunately, see trans identity as an addition to the body a transgender person was born in. This, in my opinion, is because of the shallow portrayal of transgender characters in the media. Most storylines that revolve around transgender identity only display trauma and oppression. Transgender characters are anything but intersectional. This snowballs into systemic violence against the trans community.

​

As a society, I feel that we should first acknowledge the harm caused by transphobic media portrayal, in order to fix it. Just like how The Birth of a Nationrevived the KKK in America, we must realize what a profound impact these have in our perception of gender-variant identities. Instead of focusing queer advocacy on a few cherry-picked forms of allyship, we must learn the true history of the LGBTQ+ pride movement. Transgender women, men and non-binary people have always been at the forefront of queer activism. Their exclusion from the currently shallow narrative of queer liberation shows us that we still have a lot of work ahead of us.

In order to better educate ourselves on LGBTQ+ issues, here are a few documentaries which we think are essential.

​

●     The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (available on Netflix)

●     Disclosure (available on Netflix)

●     Paris is Burning