Trans Media Camp = Social Innovation Camp + On Road Media + Trans Media Watch
What would it be like if the way you look on the outside didn’t fit the way you feel inside .. if you were expected to be a man but felt like a woman or vice versa … or if you didn’t feel yourself to be either? We all have some idea how it feels when we’re expected to behave differently to the way we naturally wish to behave. But how would it feel if this affected every aspect of your life?
This is how it is for trans people whose gender identity does not match their body sex. Some may only ever feel truly at ease if they undergo medical treatment to change their body. They may be very visible through that transition, and subject to ridicule. Others may celebrate their difference and always wish to be proudly non-conforming whatever the personal cost.
In our society we now embrace a much greater degree of diversity than we did in the past. Trans people–and particularly trans children–are still subject to abuse, ridicule and discrimination simply because they may not look the way we expect them to. Imagine growing up knowing you’d been labeled as the wrong gender. If you expressed this openly you would be likely to face incomprehension from your family and bullying at school. If you hid it away and denied it until it burst out in adulthood, it could have devastating results on your immediate social circle. It’s not surprising that research has shown 41% of trans people have attempted suicide at least once in their life … and those are just the ones we know about.
There are some good signs: UK Government legislation now protects trans people better than in most other countries and recognises their medical needs in the new Government Transgender Action Plan. The trans community is becoming more vocal in engaging with individuals to call time on the stereotypes and jokes at the expense of trans people, and many of those individuals are responding well. The reality format of Channel 4’s recent My Transsexual Summer allowed non-trans people to get a taste of what life is like for seven very different trans individuals. A few brave parents have spoken in the media about the abuse they’ve faced from other parents and teachers for supporting their trans kids on the journey to be who they need to be, and they’ve been generally applauded for doing so.
Transgender is not the same as gay. Trans people like anybody else can be gay or straight. Trans people however face the same kinds of discrimination gay people used to face (and still do face to some extent). A generation of gay kids is growing up in the UK supported by their families, free of discrimination, fulfilled in their lives and relationships. We need to make this happen for future generations of trans people.
What can we do?
Come work with us on 13th January at Channel 4 for a long, inspiring day that could make a massive difference in the lives of trans people.
On Road Media and Trans Media Watch are hosting a Trans Camp to help develop some new approaches to shift perceptions of trans people in the media – these could be tech-based or not. We’re seeking help from a range of media professionals, developers, and designers, to think and address these five questions:
- There is very little awareness of the existence of trans children. How do we change that?
- What can we do to help the media create more accurate coverage about trans people? Headlines are appalling – how can we start to change them?
- Can we find a constructive way of galvanising the trans community to report on transphobia in the media in a way that can be acted upon?
- How do we make producers of comedy aware of who they are making comedy about?
- How can we use the web to help family, friends and partners better accept and support trans people?
There’s a prize of £1,000 at the end to make the best idea a reality- and there will be a series of funders there looking to support innovative proposals to address discrimination.
You’ll meet a range of interesting, dedicated people, work hard on building some great ideas, sample the excellent Channel 4 catering, and make a profound difference.
Sound interesting? Sign up here to get involved.
