Tropes are recurring themes that appear in stories and literature. They help audiences relate to characters and understand their motivations and behaviors.
Certain tropes can create false stereotypes or reinforce existing ones. This essay will examine how transition storylines in movies and television influence public perception of trans people.
Transition is the process of changing one's gender identity from male to female or vice versa. It involves physical, social, psychological, legal, medical, emotional, and personal changes. Trans individuals may undergo hormone therapy, surgeries, dress differently, take new names, and present themselves accordingly. Stories about these experiences often focus on transitions as a journey toward self-discovery and acceptance.
In fiction, transitions typically follow a few patterns. One is the "coming out" narrative, where a character reveals their true gender identity to loved ones and struggles with rejection, isolation, or misunderstanding. Another is the "passing" trope, where a character pretends to be cisgender until they feel safe enough to live openly. Others include the "transformation," where a character becomes someone else through magic or technology; the "self-acceptance" arc, where a character learns to love who they are; and the "villainous transition," where a character uses their newly found power for evil.
The trope most commonly associated with transitions is "coming out." These stories tend to portray transitions as difficult but rewarding. Characters face obstacles like discrimination, prejudice, violence, and loss of family and friends. They discover strength, courage, and resilience along the way. The "coming out" trope can be positive if it shows characters navigating challenges without tragedy or suffering.
It can also reinforce harmful ideas that being trans is a choice or a disability requiring "fixing."
The "passing" trope portrays trans people as deceitful and dishonest. It suggests that trans individuals must hide their identities to survive in a cisnormative society, which may lead viewers to see them as manipulative or untrustworthy. Passing stories also depict trans lives as secretive and shameful. This trope reinforces stereotypes that trans individuals are dishonest, dangerous, and inauthentic.
Transition storylines featuring transformations are common in sci-fi and fantasy genres. Trans individuals often use superpowers or magical objects to change their bodies or appearances. While this trope allows trans representation onscreen, it perpetuates the idea that gender identity is mutable and controllable. Transition should not be framed as a physical transformation but rather an emotional journey toward self-acceptance.
Self-acceptance stories show trans characters learning to love themselves. They focus on internal struggles like doubt, depression, and anxiety. These narratives help audiences empathize with trans individuals by humanizing them and highlighting their vulnerabilities. Still, they fail to address external pressures like discrimination, violence, and lack of resources. Self-acceptance stories can also gloss over the complexities of transition, making it seem simple or easy.
Villainous transitions feature trans characters who misuse their newfound power for evil.
In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Lex Luthor exploits Bruce Wayne's trauma to create Doomsday. While these stories allow trans representation onscreen, they present it as a threat to society. Villains do not reflect real life experiences of trans people, who may face stigma and discrimination without becoming monsters.
Transition tropes shape public perception of trans individuals. "Coming out" narratives reinforce harmful stereotypes about trans lives being difficult or tragic. "Passing" portrayals paint trans people as secretive and dishonest. Sci-fi and fantasy transformations reduce trans identities to physical changes. Self-acceptance arcs humanize trans characters but ignore systemic oppression. Villainous transitions perpetuate fear and hatred of trans people. Stories should represent trans identities accurately and positively to foster greater empathy and understanding.
How do storytelling tropes about transition shape public empathy toward trans individuals?
The way stories about trans individuals are told can influence how people understand their experiences. Narratives that emphasize individuality and personal choice may be more effective at raising awareness of the diversity within the trans community and creating empathy for trans people as distinct individuals with unique identities and needs.