Regressing, Progressing, orTransgressing on the Small Screen?Transgender Characters on U.S.Scripted Television Series

摘要

This study explored representation of lead and supporting transgender characters in nine U.S. scripted television dramas and comedies aired 2008–2014. Employing qualitative contentanalysis techniques, episodes were coded for casting, visibility, identity, embodiment, andsocial interaction. Findings suggested that scripted television has begun to evolve in amanner that relies less on a standardized narrative and one-dimensional characterizationof transgender people. The formerly ubiquitous “wrong body” discourse seems to have ebbedin favor of more diverse and refined stories about transgender identity and subjectivity.However, increased visibility does not apply across the spectrumof transgender identity andexpression. Transgender people as a population and a political community, trans men, andgenderqueer characters remain largely invisible.