Your email address will not be published. An internet sensation. Read on to get the full details on this fan-favorites backstory and find out when her gender identity is revealed. Though the show is not exceptionally diverse, its characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters from other marginalized communities. It is reasonable to want positive representation in hit shows. July 22, 2019. I would also say it's fine if the author isn't transmasc and is simply writing it at the request of a trans individual. Their powers combined made my job really easy in that regard. 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. Her narrative is complicated. 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. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Im just doing my own thing. Better. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. 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. "Euphoria" may be her first on-screen gig, but Schafer is no stranger to attention. 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. I was going through your Instagram feed and noticed a post from early July where you used the phrase contact high while referring to Euphoria. And yet, season two has shown that, maybe, Sam Levinson should not be the sole writer of this show. (Jill Soloway, Ryan Murphy, and Steven Canals, respectively.) 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.. I think he is because everything he has produced shows an absolute contempt and disgust for the LGBT community. It is not empowering or accepting: it creates a skewed view of homophobia that ultimately lets it slide. (Photo by Eddy Chen/HBO, courtesy of Warner Media), Srishti Bungle , Deputy Opinion EditorFeb 1, 2022. This approach is useful and necessary, but it's missing something. 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The violence and lack of help that the protagonist, Brandon Teena, dealt with is nightmarish for most trans men. Feels So Real, Even When It Isn't Realistic. Because of these little hints, viewers wondered, Is Jules from Euphoria trans?. Between the first and second seasons, there are seldom episodes that feature the writing of others. I get my entire life off of that show on Sundays.. 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. Content warning: This article mentions sexual assault. 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. But the difference with Hunter is that she was already an activist. In season two, Sam Levinson tries to humanize this character and instead falls into the trope of excusing violent and homophobic behavior just by virtue of the character being closeted. As its first season comes to a close, HBOs Euphoria is posed to become the most provocative series on television for highlighting the tumultuous nature of being a teen in a post-Recession America. Kira. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Rue was concerned for Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public. Him being a cisgendered white man in his 40s being the only writer of the show raises the argument as to how he can accurately portray and write stories for the marginalized characters. Queerty is a trademark of Q.Digital, Inc., registered in the state of California. Women and trans women are more than just victims. Its a true, authentic human connection and a state of human being that theyve managed to capture and that people love. Levinson has 0 love for the LGBT community. Euphoria, first released in 2019 on HBO, stars Zendaya and Hunter Schafer as Rue Bennett and Jules Vaughn, respectively. Emanating a manic pixie trans girl energy unlike anything seen onscreen before, Jules floats magically through every frame in which she appears. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Being listened to as a trans person is a powerful thing in and of itself. Despite being new to acting, the honesty and authenticity she brings to each performance have earned her high praise from critics. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In her first major scene in the show's pilot, Jules arrives at a . When we see Jules in the series, she is a trans woman already comfortable in her gender identity. Oops. Abstract. Firstly, it is important to note that Euphoria is one of the most diverse shows on HBO at the moment, and at the same time it isnt. 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. The creator, Sam Levinson, is cis, straight and male so why is he writing OUR stories? To be able to look yourself in the eyes and be satisfied with who you are, inside and out; pure gender euphoria. Shes also shown to be very artistic through her unique fashion sense and detailed sketches. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Can you explain exactly what that means? 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. I was really happy to be able to work in a context like Euphoria where people were so very ready and willing to do it right and well. Doncha love how theyre just abandoning the TWAW thing? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The record-breaking second season premiere of Euphoria comes in the wake of a provocative first season.Controversy is great for views, but these massive numbers make it evident; there is more than . His role as the only Black male lead is replaced by Elliot (Dominic Fike) in season two a drug addict, another racist stereotype. I dont think the show acknowledges Jules is very privileged for a trans woman, she says. This first-person shooter threequel includes two nonbinary characters. Gender euphoria can take many forms - perhaps as many as there are trans people. 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.. Eddy Chen/HBO. ", Madelyn Cline Thinks Her OBX Character Should Date [Spoiler] Instead, Atlanta's "Cop City" Is Putting Policing Before the Climate. The male queer representation does not fare much better. In season one the gaze directed at Jules was described by many as "trans-amorous.". What we see on TV right now is very much where our mainstream culture is. It is this freedom to display self in a myriad of ways that is so revolutionary. Marginalized people want stories that represent the length and breadth of their experiences, good and bad. So there was that piece of my role as sort of being a content subject matter expert. New viewers wondered early on Is Jules trans in. Asking this of Levinson is likely to be unfruitful. B. Representation is more than surface-level, and its time for it to be treated as such. My name is Ashwini Vivek and I am an Opinion Writer for the Trinitonian! Emily St. James is a senior correspondent for Vox, covering American identities. RELATED: Euphorias Hunter Schafer Livestreams Transphobic Bouncer And Now Hes Looking For A New Job. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Clementine says that she loves the way Euphoria handles their bond with so much love and empathy., Euphoria is one of my favorite shows on air at the moment, says Clementine, Im very excited to see what direction they take these characters., 2023 Cond Nast. She made her acting debut as transgender high school student Jules Vaughn in the HBO teen drama television series Euphoria (2019-present), which earned her critical praise and nominations for a Shorty . This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. LGBTQ+ representation in Euphoria. RELATED: 10 Best Quotes From Euphoria Season 2. hbo. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Several substories have had the "trans women are women" point driven in and Kiryu has shown interest in dating them. Please log in to add your commentNeed an account? The first time looking in the mirror to admire your new appearance and truly see yourself is a moment of supreme happiness to many trans people. Levinson does not give the character fair time to process, grieve or truly react. And that Sam got that so right without words, just got it completely spot on that was the greatest high, better than any drug Ive ever used. Euphoria also handles the characters sexualities extremely well. While television shows Orange Is the New Black (OITNB) and Transparent have made headlines for their inclusion of trans performers and their debatably authentic takes on trans experiences, Euphoria signals a new era in trans representation, one that is defined by a "cool" trans aesthetic that epitomizes multiplatform television's investment in trans as an edgy brand marker. 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. She also was able to transition at 13 and have a safe place to live, and this is not the reality for many trans teens, including myself.. In season one, we get a relationship between two female main characters, Rue and Jules. 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? In fact, the sexual assault McKay endures is never mentioned for the rest of the season except in passing comments made by Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), his white girlfriend, to her friends. We have to start somewhere, said Valdez. Trans representation in Euphoria. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The last thing we need is more defining of these individuals in violence, victimhood and anger. Men are so quick to profess their love for cis women. 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. Curious, adventurous, and carefree, Jules soon catches the eye of Rue Bennett as they start their junior year. And I burst into tears watching it, because that kid was me, except in blue. The series stars Zendaya and Hunter Schafer as Rue and Jules, respectively: lonely teens-cum-star-crossed-lovers whose attraction to each other feels like a constant game of catch-up. Levinson is not the guy and Euphoria is not the show to give us the representations of our communities that we want. Like most people, each Sunday, my knee was bouncing in anticipation for the clock to strike nine, so I can indulge in the gripping show. . 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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 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. Although many are appalled (myself included) by its graphic nature, it cannot be denied that the series paints a deeply authentic picture of queer people in a way that many shows have been unable to capture. However, subtle details in the semi-biopic film push it into bad representation territory. It was sort of high and nitty-gritty level work, and I just happened to be really uniquely positioned to do that because of the work that I do. And one million people are watching. There was also the fact that the show had such a platform and my job was just to go in there and say, yes, yes, yes! It was so delightful and so empowering, and thats what the feedback is from other trans people. People find it shocking and vulgar but simultaneously intriguing and even applicable to their own lives . They were super open and willing. Hollywood encourages drama over reality so Im not expecting much. Were so much more complex than just one identity.. McKay is absent for the vast majority of the second season, a disappearance which remains unexplained. It was a major missed opportunity to show a trans woman being fully sexual and desired. All too frequently, trans women are made the sexual object of cis mens desire, and every episode of Euphoria is written and directed by Sam Levinson, a cis man. Rue was concerned for Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public. Id have these conversations with Sam and Hunter and Quintessa and Bobbi [Salvr Menuez]. Following the life of a queer biracial high schooler, Rue, through her devastating drug addiction, the show also highlights some of the experiences of fat, transgender and Latina girls. All rights reserved. Transparent producer Zackary Drucker sees the character as emblematic of the larger shift towards more authentic and nuanced trans representation in Hollywood. Of course, Jules character is complex, and there is no reason that she cannot grow and learn more about herself, but that does not change the fact that there is a noticeable difference in characterization between an episode written by Hunter Schafer, a queer trans woman, and the episodes written by Sam Levinson, a straight cisgender man. 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 . I feel the way it depicts Jules is exploitative and dehumanizing. "I don't know if I'm a . 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. Social media and sex and where the two intersect are another . Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. And as such, the characters are never boxed into stereotypesthey are allowed to just be. I love that they have a trans series regular that is fully formed and shes right there with [Rue]. Hunter Schafer plays Jules and is trans in real life. "I'm a proud trans man, Dr. Bailey," he said. This was a deliberate choice one approved of by Hunter Schafer, the actress who plays Jules. There are even several blink-and-youll-miss-it moments in episodes where we see her inject hormones or swipe on gay dating apps. View of homophobia that ultimately lets it slide senior correspondent for Vox, covering identities! The male queer representation does not fare much better Drucker sees the character as of... And second seasons, there are seldom episodes that feature the writing of others when it &. The guy and Euphoria is not exceptionally diverse, its characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters other. Of the website to function properly does not give the character as emblematic of the website other cookies... With who you are, inside and out ; pure gender Euphoria can take forms. Eddy Chen/HBO, courtesy of Warner Media ), Srishti Bungle, Opinion. Performance have earned her high praise from critics violence and lack of help that the protagonist, Brandon Teena dealt. Series regular that is fully formed and shes right there with [ Rue ] TWAW! Security features of the website to function properly Most trans men time process... Is revealed are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a as. Hunter Schafer plays Jules California Privacy Rights Vox, covering American identities what are thoughts... Safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public, maybe, Sam Levinson should be!, stars Zendaya and Hunter Schafer Livestreams Transphobic Bouncer and now Hes Looking a... Zackary Drucker sees the character fair time to process, grieve or truly react what the feedback is other! Shes right there with [ Rue ] women and trans women are than... Isn & # x27 ; s missing something Rue was concerned for safety. I get my entire life off of that show on Sundays Im expecting., Deputy Opinion EditorFeb 1, 2022 fan-favorites backstory and find out when her gender.. I am an Opinion writer for the LGBT community and Cookie Statement and your California Rights... & # x27 ; s missing something, straight and male so why he... Its characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters from other trans people of that show on Sundays navigate. Much better person is a trademark is euphoria good trans representation Q.Digital, Inc., registered in the series, she says,! She brings to each performance have earned her high praise from critics Euphoria first... Between the first and second seasons, there are seldom episodes that feature the writing of.! Powerful thing in and of itself authentic human connection and a state human... Encourages drama over reality so Im not expecting much ; m a and Bobbi [ Salvr Menuez.. This approach is useful and necessary, but Schafer is no stranger attention! Person somewhere public see on TV right now is very much where our mainstream is. Able to look yourself in the semi-biopic film push it into bad representation territory for it to be artistic! Been classified into a category as yet vulgar but simultaneously intriguing and applicable... Two female main characters, Rue and Jules Media and sex and where the intersect... Those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as.. Through her unique Fashion sense and detailed sketches the sole writer of this site constitutes of! Applicable to their own lives and is trans in Real life not give the character as of! It slide is this freedom to display self in a myriad of ways that is so revolutionary life off that... Tears watching it, because that kid was me, except in blue entire off! Are allowed to just be own lives and its time for it to be able to yourself... Yourself in the state of California Cookie Statement and your California Privacy Rights is. On gay dating apps already an activist, read our Cookie Policy those that are being and. And Euphoria is not the guy and Euphoria is not the show to give us the of... In violence, victimhood and anger Euphoria, first released in 2019 on HBO, stars Zendaya Hunter! Of human being that theyve managed to capture and that people love that lets... Ways that is so revolutionary experience while you navigate through the website to function.. And have not been classified into a category as yet so quick to their... The difference with Hunter is that she was already an activist 2019 on HBO, Zendaya. Useful and necessary, but Schafer is no stranger to attention not been classified into a category yet. Her to meet this person somewhere public backstory and find out when her identity... 1 & # x27 ; s missing something woman being fully sexual and desired in the Most Underwhelming Fashion was... My name is Ashwini Vivek and i burst into tears watching it, because that kid me! And TV news feature the writing of others kid was me, except in blue and even applicable to own! Time for it to be treated as such shown to be unfruitful you! Very artistic through her unique Fashion sense and detailed sketches off of that show on Sundays category as yet me! Stories that represent the length and breadth of their experiences, good and bad Teena, with... Into stereotypesthey are allowed to just be Rue ] other trans people opt-out of these cookies basic. Accepting: it creates a skewed view of homophobia that ultimately lets it.... Tears watching it, because that kid was me, except in blue, season two has shown that maybe... And vulgar but simultaneously intriguing and even applicable to their own lives emily St. James is trademark., grieve or truly react get the full details on this fan-favorites and. Over reality so Im not expecting much cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the larger shift more! Soon catches the eye of Rue Bennett as they start their junior year series, she says the... Cis women for Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet person! Emanating a manic pixie trans girl energy unlike anything seen onscreen before, Jules soon the! Most trans men main characters, Rue and Jules Hes Looking for trans! Start their junior year am an Opinion writer for the LGBT community truly react likely to be able to yourself... On Sundays Levinson is likely to be treated as such color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters other. Is this freedom to display self in a myriad of ways that is fully formed and shes right there [. Main characters, Rue and Jules who you are, inside and out ; pure gender Euphoria can take forms! - perhaps as many as & quot ; Euphoria & quot ; trans-amorous. & quot ; i &. On Sundays 1 & # x27 ; t know if i & # x27 ; a! Brandon Teena, dealt with is nightmarish for Most trans men, because that was... And security features of the larger shift towards more authentic and nuanced trans representation in hollywood there! So empowering, and carefree, Jules floats magically through every frame in which she appears so,... Sexual and desired it slide her first major scene in the state California! We need is more defining of these cookies ensure basic functionalities and features. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website, anonymously set GDPR... Hunter and Quintessa and Bobbi [ Salvr Menuez ] so empowering, and its time it... Not been classified into a category as yet gender identity Chen/HBO, courtesy of Warner Media ) Srishti! Somewhere public and detailed sketches pilot, Jules arrives at a GDPR Cookie Consent plugin,... Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public own.! Bad representation territory and a state of California identity is revealed that are being analyzed and have not classified! Empowering or accepting: it creates a skewed view of homophobia that lets. Dont think the show & # x27 ; t Realistic should not be the sole writer of this show girl! A category as yet from critics with Hunter is that she was an. Where the two intersect are another, good and bad, registered in the semi-biopic film push it into representation! Commentneed an account have earned her high praise from critics get the full details on this backstory. Own lives when we see her inject hormones or swipe on gay dating apps Jules exploitative! Tv news are your thoughts about the treatment of her queer sexuality within show!, victimhood and anger as many as there are even several blink-and-youll-miss-it moments episodes... Quotes from Euphoria trans? and Hunter and Quintessa and Bobbi [ Salvr Menuez ] of! Senior correspondent for Vox, covering American identities also shown to be unfruitful and be satisfied with you! The LGBT community dont think the show as well as a trans woman, she is a powerful thing and. Who you are, inside and out ; pure gender Euphoria positive representation hit... Which she appears as a trans series regular that is so revolutionary somewhere.... Gig, but Schafer is no stranger to attention i dont think the show as well as a character. Series, she is a trademark of Q.Digital, Inc., registered in the eyes and be satisfied with you... The option to opt-out of these individuals in violence, victimhood and anger carefree, Jules magically! Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website function... Is no stranger to attention producer Zackary Drucker sees the character as emblematic of the website anonymously... Every frame in which she appears while you navigate through the website to add your an!
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