The representation of trans women in fiction series: a comparison between Spain and the United States
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24197/mcreilq.2.2025.41-64Keywords:
character analysis, trans, television series, Spain, United StatesAbstract
The portrayal of trans* people in fiction can have a significant impact on the image that part of society forms of this group. This paper analyzes the representation of thirteen transfeminine* characters with a permanent presence in seven series (three American and four Spanish) released between 2014 and 2018. The results show that the characters analyzed are predominantly heterosexual and undergo medical transition with hormones and, in many cases, surgeries, indicating that only a part of trans* realities are depicted. Additionally, it is common to present family conflicts arising from the trans* condition of the character. On the other hand, there is a varied presentation of the trans* women analyzed in the labor field, where they perform diverse professions, not only those stereotypically associated with the community. Finally, the treatment of the group in American series is more respectful than in Spanish ones, where some characters are frequently ridiculed. Finally, it is found that the treatment of the community in American series is more respectful than in Spanish ones due to two reasons: a greater presence of trans* actresses in the North American environment and the fact that in Spanish productions some characters are frequently ridiculed, which hinders their normalization.
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