Are you stuck at home and looking for trans-positive representation on the small screen? Or maybe you’re not exactly “stuck” but still want something you’ll enjoy watching? We’ll share some of our favorites!
Note that while these selections may contain some hard scenes, they are chosen for their trans-informed representation of trans people, and generally treat these harder subjects in ways that remain respectful of trans people, even while some may portray some of the negative things that happen to us.
Tangerine (Film)
From the film’s official website:
It’s Christmas Eve in Tinseltown and Sin-Dee (newcomer Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) is back on the block. Upon hearing that her pimp boyfriend (James Ransone, STARLET, “Generation Kill”) hasn’t been faithful during the 28 days she was locked up, the sex worker and her best friend, Alexandra (newcomer Mya Taylor), embark on a mission to get to the bottom of the scandalous rumor. Their rip-roaring odyssey leads them through various subcultures of Los Angeles.
Why it was chosen: A high-energy film that follows a trans woman who is seeking justice, at least in her own way. The characters are fun to watch and there is plenty of comedy (but never the cheap comedy of laughing at the idea of trans people).
Content notes: Transphobic, sex work, discussion of body parts
Available on: Amazon ($, Not Prime), Google Play ($), Hulu (Subscription)
Pose (TV Show)
From FX’s official site:
Pose is a drama spotlighting the legends, icons and ferocious house mothers of New York’s underground ball culture, a movement that first gained notice in the 1980s. Making television history, Pose features the largest cast of transgender actors in series regular roles, including Mj Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson, Indya Moore, Hailie Sahar and Angelica Ross, who co-star alongside Tony Award® winner and Golden Globe® nominee Billy Porter, Ryan Jamaal Swain, Angel Bismark Curiel, and Dyllón Burnside. Sandra Bernhard and Charlayne Woodard round out the ensemble. The Golden Globe-nominated drama also features the largest recurring cast of LGBTQ actors ever for a scripted series.
Why it was chosen: While this show is fictional, because some of the key people behind this show are trans, it’s informed by trans experience. Many of the actors in the show are part of the Ball culture, and it shows. It’s also a compelling drama about LGB and especially T life during the 80s.
Content notes: Transphobia, sex work, discussion of body parts
Available on: Netflix (Subscription), Google Play ($), Amazon ($, Not Prime)
Tales of the City (2019) (TV Show)
From Netflix’s official site:
Inspired by the books of Armistead Maupin, the new Netflix Limited Series Tales of the City begins a new chapter in the beloved story. Mary Ann (Laura Linney) returns to present-day San Francisco and is reunited with her daughter Shawna (Ellen Page) and ex-husband Brian (Paul Gross), twenty years after leaving them behind to pursue her career. Fleeing the midlife crisis that her picture-perfect Connecticut life created, Mary Ann is quickly drawn back into the orbit of Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis), her chosen family and a new generation of queer young residents living at 28 Barbary Lane.
Why it was chosen: This story, a continuation of a ground-breaking PBS show (first shown in 1993 – but don’t worry, you don’t need to watch those episodes first – although if you would like to you can do so on Netflix), incorporates the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot into the story.
Content notes: Transphobic violence, sex work, police brutality, and a cis actress playing a trans character (normally a show-stopper for me, but due to the nature of the series continuing from 1993, it feels like the right decision for this single character; All other trans characters are played by a trans actor).
Available on: Netflix (Subscription)
The Fosters (TV Show)
From The Fosters’ official site:
The Fosters is a compelling, one-hour drama about a multi-ethnic family made up of two mothers and their adopted and biological children. While living in sunny Southern California, the Foster family must deal with the complexities of foster care, racism, sexuality and immigration. Though the problems they face are tough, this family knows that if they stick together they can get through anything
Why it was chosen: There are multiple seasons that include a trans man character. The trans history is neither ignored or focused on – they, like other characters in the story, is simply living their life. Also, we’re not portrayed as sex-maniacs or sexless, which is a nice change (and the scenes are tasteful – this was on broadcast TV, after all).
Content notes: Transphobia, Foster System Abuse
Available on: Netflix (Subscription), Amazon ($, Not Prime), Google Play ($)
Sense8
From the Sense8 Twitter account:
One gunshot, one death, one moment out of time that irrevocably links eight minds in disparate parts of the world, putting them in each other’s lives, each other’s secrets, and in terrible danger. Ordinary people suddenly reborn as “Sensates.”
Why it was chosen: Nomi, one of the Sensates and a trans woman, has a delightful relationship with her partner, Amanita. While there are many love relationships in the film, it’s Nomi and Amanita who show us what a relationship can be like without the dysfunction common in many relationships (and indeed in all the other Sensates’ love relationships). She’s also a badass, showing up as a strong, smart, and proud woman throughout the series. Directed and written in part by the Wachowskis, trans women themselves, her portrayal is not a cheap plot trick.
Content notes: Transphobia, Homophobia, Violence
Available from: Netflix (Subscription)
What Did We Miss?
What is your favorite show with a trans character? Do you know of shows where the trans character doesn’t have to endure any transphobia (that happens in pretty much all of the above shows/films)? We’d love to hear!