Why Can't We Speak For Ourselves?
Why have Channel 4 and The BBC Refused To Give Us a Proper Platform?
Why is there no forum for trans people to honestly discuss trans issues on TV? This is something I’ve been pushing for for years now, and I can’t for the life of me understand why we don’t have something by now.
A few years ago I was invited by Channel 4 to discuss, internally, how they could be doing more for trans people. I was on a panel with some amazing fellow trans people - like Munroe Bergdorf & Shon Faye - and all I could think during the entire thing was: why is this only being seen internally? THIS was exactly the thing we should be doing on TV.
It seemed like a total no-brainer that something like this could be deeply powerful, if done right. If it was light and funny and humanistic and trans-lead, it could showcase our perspective, diversity and humour. So often we aren’t given the opportunity to share our own perspective on the issues which directly affect us - and surely, the unapologetically inclusive Channel 4 would be keen? But no. I pitched something like it a few years back, and no one seemed bothered.
They’ve made shows like the popular ‘Unapologetic’ which describes itself as: ‘A late-night topical discussion programme that doesn't hold back… Black guests talk freely about the big issues of the day and what's new on social media’. Wouldn’t something like that be absolutely incredible for trans voices? I think so. There’s no shortage of discussion ABOUT us, after all.
So what’s stopping them? Is it that, really, no one cares quite enough about us to bother?
Now is a pivotal time for trans people - and media institutions have spent so long leaving us out to hang, surely it’s about time we were extended an olive branch from them?
The problem is, too many people view ‘trans issues’ as niche. But they aren’t - because people are clearly interested in us. Unfortunately, most of the public’s perception on trans lives is entirely skewed by a toxic media landscape that has had it in for us ever since it pointed its hungry cameras toward Christine Jorgensen.
We deserve a chance to speak for ourselves - and companies like Channel 4, the BBC or ITV have a responsibility to let us be represented, honestly, and authentically. Channel 5, I’m not as bothered about.
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