In a 2019 interview with Dazed, Schafer said her sexuality is "closer to what you might call a lesbian.". The results show three axes of representation that move away from the traditional portrayal of trans characters: (a) a narrative that moves beyond the "trans fact" and presents complex and plural stories, (b) a representation of the trans individual as an element of value and love, away from fetishism, and (c) a link between the trans realm and . All too frequently, trans women are made the sexual object of cis mens desire, and every episode of Euphoria is written and directed by Sam Levinson, a cis man. Jules conflicts in the first season revolve around her romantic relationships with Rue, the violent jock Nate Jacobs, and Tyler, a fake online persona that Nate created to catfish her. Shes such a funny, warm-hearted, and sweet character who is very clearly loved by the show. Levinson is not the guy and Euphoria is not the show to give us the representations of our communities that we want. While teen drug abuse has . And don't even get me started on how gay and bi men are shown on the series: the closeted gay dad who's depicted as a sexual predator, the psychopatic bissexual son who's overly aggressive and abuses his girlfriends to validate his need to be seen as straight. Though the show is not exceptionally diverse, its characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters from other marginalized communities. Shes introduced as Jules, not as the trans girl, but just a new girl who happens to be transgender. Just a reminder before tonights premiere, that Euphoria is for mature audiences, wrote Zendaya. One of the main romantic plots is a love story between two girls, Rue (Zendaya) and Jules (Hunter Schafer), and its presented as just that, a love story. The male queer representation does not fare much better. Before she joined Vox in 2014, she was the first TV editor of . Oops. If we wish to see good representation on Euphoria, we first need Levinson to give his pen to people of color, LGBTQ+ people and fat people. Levinson has 0 love for the LGBT community. Im trans, she says. Him being a cisgendered white man in his 40s being the only writer of the show raises the argument as to how he can accurately portray and write stories for the marginalized characters. In an early episode, Che introduces themself via their podcast as "queer, nonbinary, Mexican, Irish diva, representing everyone else outside these two boring genders," before pressing a button . Yes. Content warning: This article mentions sexual assault. I feel the way it depicts Jules is exploitative and dehumanizing. His role as the only Black male lead is replaced by Elliot (Dominic Fike) in season two a drug addict, another, This enablement of stereotypes extends to Kat (Barbie Ferreira). Jul 15, 2019 1,662. Most characters on the show are all about participating in the most raunchy sexual relations, but according to a 2019 article in The New York Times, the percentage of real-life teens having sex is lower than ever before. And as such, the characters are never boxed into stereotypesthey are allowed to just be. Borderlands 3. Clementine agrees adding that she loves how the show portrays Jules as a normal teenage girl. already suffer from Levinsons inadequate writing. (In addition to drug addiction, the complexity of sexual relationships in 2019, explored at all angles with a kind of frenetic nihilism, is one of the shows major themes.). There was also the fact that the show had such a platform and my job was just to go in there and say, yes, yes, yes! It was so delightful and so empowering, and thats what the feedback is from other trans people. Editorial: The New York Times article on Maitland Jones was incomplete. Shes white, skinny, conventionally attractive, and passes well. Oct 22, 2020 . Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. I said [to Sam Levinson], Jules is the one who gets herself more than anybody else on this show. Having that kind of communicated authenticity combined with the fact that Jules narrative is only barely tied to her trans identity what do you think sets her character arc apart from other trans narratives that we see on TV? If you want to objectify me, objectify me. If its the closest thing to being desiredIll take that. Emily St. James is a senior correspondent for Vox, covering American identities. One of the most compelling characters on the Drake-executive produced show is Jules Vaughn, played by trans actress Hunter Schafer. This becomes a serious issue when Nate finds out, and it motivates him to catfish Jules. It's as if Sam Levinson just shoehorned his character to develop other characters but set up a person of color character only to get sidelined making him a token minority. A . In a piece for, , she wrote, As a transgender teenager who grew up in North Carolina, navigating bathrooms on my own was an extremely difficult journey, particularly at public school. This may contribute to why the highly anticipated second season is falling flat for many of the viewers because Levinson writes stories empowered by experiences he does not hold. This turmoil peaks when McKay is sexually assaulted by members of his team and his fraternity brothers as part of a hazing ritual. I get my entire life off of that show on Sundays.. There are also little to no characters of Asian descentapart from Elliot (Dominic Fike) who is half Filipino which isnt accurate given the show is set in California with a prominent Asian community. A daring look at the inner lives of teenagers. With that in mind, how can TV and film portray trans women as desirable without simply objectifying them? And chances are, most viewers havent either. But we cannot limit representation to those in front of the camera. However, subtle details in the semi-biopic film push it into bad representation territory. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This was a deliberate choice one approved of by Hunter Schafer, the actress who plays Jules. Not to mention the common racist stereotyping of McKay being a football player plays into the hyper-masculine and hyper athletic trope often associated with Black men. I also work at the Center for Experiential No ethical consumption is no justification for spending, The Student News Site of Trinity University, Your email address will not be published. Most of all, they want their stories, especially the sensitive ones, to be told with respect. Social media and sex and where the two intersect are another . The Best Picture Race Got a Lot More Confusing This Week, Tom Cruise Made the Rounds This Week, but Other Oscar Nominees Got More Applause Than Top Gun: Maverick, These Oscar Categories Are the Hardest to Predict, Translating the Unconscious Into Images: The Cinematography of Bardo, Poker Face Takes Viewers on a Cross-Country Road Trip Without Leaving New York, Why TR Looks Different from Every Other Movie of 2022, The 50 Best Movies of 2022, According to 165 Critics from Around the World, All 81 Titles Unceremoniously Removed from HBO Max (So Far), 10 Shows Canceled but Not Forgotten in 2022. In early high school (during a more primary stage in my transition), I felt safer using the womens restroom and locker room., Schafer is critical of trans representation in Hollywood and would like to see trans roles played by trans actors because she feels they can bring their experiences forward to their performances. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Yes. That makes Euphoria the first trans show to employ a straight male gaze, the term coined by Laura Mulvey and popularized by Soloway. As Euphorias second season comes to a close, it only seems fitting to comment on the new season. In this scant screen time, we see Kat struggle with her self-image and self-hatred a painfully predictable and disappointing storyline for one of the few fat women on television. Rue finds out that Jules is trans in the third episode of Euphoria. Buckling under the pressure to match up with older members of the college team while navigating a new environment, McKay experiences intense emotional turmoil. Possibly the most significant is Ako, the owner of Earth Angel in . Register *It's free and easy. Its hard for me to see another trans girl going through that stuff, even though I know its fictional. Adding, Ive been in situations similar to Jules, being stalked and harassed online. This is fuelled by a glaring absence of diversity in writers and creative directors. Erm. That the major honor that I give to the show. In stark contrast, she has a good relationship with her father, who supported her transition at a young age. We have to start somewhere, said Valdez. Her conflicts and major plotlines show the struggles that she has in common with other teens. ", Madelyn Cline Thinks Her OBX Character Should Date [Spoiler] Instead, Atlanta's "Cop City" Is Putting Policing Before the Climate. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The typical narrative element of transgender representation in thrillers is that these characters are framed through the pathologizing lens of criminal deviance: just as popular as the comic image of the "man in a dress" is the trans killer, popularized by movies such as Psycho, Dressed to Kill, and the Oscar-winning The Silence of the Lambs. On January 26, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Warning: spoilers abound! Euphoria has been renewed for a third season, with Schafer set to reprise her breakout role. They clap at the end of every take. Hollywood encourages drama over reality so Im not expecting much. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Played by newcomer Hunter Schafer in what will surely become a career-launching performance, everyone on the show the daddy, the walking embodiment of toxic masculinity, the tomboy protagonist, her confident femme rival wants Jules. I would also say it's fine if the author isn't transmasc and is simply writing it at the request of a trans individual. There are even several blink-and-youll-miss-it moments in episodes where we see her inject hormones or swipe on gay dating apps. Because again, it has nothing to do with their genders. So yeah, objectify us.. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 26. Then, I came on set and I worked with everybody in the crew. Srishti Bungle is a junior at the College of Arts and Science majoring in history and minoring in creative writing and politics. Jules transition journey isnt seen in the series, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part of the show. Also, the show could better about sexual representation. Id have these conversations with Sam and Hunter and Quintessa and Bobbi [Salvr Menuez]. Schafer has also spoken up about the difficulty of coming out in high school as a trans teen. In her first major scene in the show's pilot, Jules arrives at a . (Photo by Eddy Chen/HBO, courtesy of Warner Media), Srishti Bungle , Deputy Opinion EditorFeb 1, 2022. NYU Langone sued for disability discrimination, NYU prof. gets $75,000 for work on quantum physics, NYU dental study shows promising results for alternative cavity treatment, NYU drops rule preventing dorm RAs from speaking to media, NYU chaplain travels to Turkey to support relief efforts, Police car crashes into civilian vehicle on University Place, Teenagers push for trans rights at Union Square vigil, Illegal weed stores to be evicted as part of Eric Adams crackdown, Get to know your district with NYU Grossmans new data tool, Protesters criticize Israeli governments far-right plans for reform, Minnesota prof criticizes public health response at COVID-19 lecture, Most NYU students havent received the bivalent booster, WSN survey finds, After one month of checking visitor vax cards, NYU gives up, Immunocompromised students concerned following mask mandate removal, End of NYU mask mandate planned for Sept. 28, Students demand more from Hamilton on Iran demonstrations, Asian/Pacific/American Studies major lacks adequate representation, students and faculty say, NYU disputes failing grade on antisemitism report, Stern professor resigns from professional org. Since Hunter Schafer stepped into the spotlight playing Jules in the HBO hit Euphoria, her star power has skyrocketed. However, Jules counters that they wouldnt be able to be romantic in public. Especially, as he was completely absent in the new season. Her narrative is complicated. Personally, yes, I do find "Euphoria" to be homophobic and transphobic. Jules Vaughn is a main character in the HBO series. All Rights Reserved. Rue was concerned for Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public. But the difference with Hunter is that she was already an activist. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Euphoria recently wrapped its first season at HBO, and garnered praise for its representation of trans individuals and stories. But its not precisely the new hue thats captivating viewers. Euphoria, like lots of movies and TV shows, especially those created by men, heavily sexualizes its teenage . Whatever lengths Levinson went to in order to mitigate his perspective (and he consulted transgender sensitivity trainer and actor Scott Turner Schofield extensively) as creator, producer, writer, and director of the series, theres no denying that Euphoria employs his gaze and it has been met with acclaim. Ad Choices, Before the show started I was worried because a lot of transgender characters in the media are represented horribly. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. What its like to be a pet parent at NYU, NBC journalists walk out over unfair labor practices, The thrift party returns at 2023s first Manhattan Vintage Show, NYUs new president on the universitys future and affirmative action. Im always very quick to say, you cant just find any trans person and think that theyre going to tell a good trans story, because we are all completely overwhelmed by mainstream culture and the tropes [about trans people] it tells us even trans people. of Black boys and men as hyper-athletic in his first year of college. Also, for me to make sure that Hunter and Quintessa felt like their genders were seen and represented properly. It is reasonable to want positive representation in hit shows. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Please enter a valid email and try again. Euphoria Resolved Season 1's Biggests Cliffhanger In The Most Underwhelming Fashion. While this may not be a surprise to Rue, it was a huge reveal for viewers because her gender identity is definitively stated in the dialogue. And that Sam got that so right without words, just got it completely spot on that was the greatest high, better than any drug Ive ever used. I also think about when I watched episode 4. (Jill Soloway, Ryan Murphy, and Steven Canals, respectively.) It seems as though Levinson writes for shock and drama without ever caring to resolve the many traumas he pushes his marginalized characters through. Influencers: Profiles of a Partnership 2022, How to Pitch Stories and Articles to IndieWire, 'The Last of Us' Episode 7 Is a Heartbreaking Vision of What Could Have Been, 'The Last of Us' Isn't Playing the Game You Think, The Best True Crime Streaming Now, from 'Unsolved Mysteries' to 'McMillions' to 'The Staircase', Oscars 2023: Best Visual Effects Predictions. Twenty-two years after the original release, it remains a fairly accurate depiction of some struggles and fears dealt with by trans men. Courtesy of Eddy Chen/HBO. Theres no take on us its on our own terms. Gonna talk about tv and stuff. And it was his one line that the showrunner admits to having re-written multiple times over , that really made an impact. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. While there is a demand for a more racially diverse cast, it means that there needs to be a racially diverse writers room. The objective of this article is to explore this second perspective by analyzing the representation of Jules, a trans female character from the American series Euphoria (Levinson et al., 2019 . It might be hard to believe, but . In terms of representation of people of color in the cast, it can be said that Euphoria is lacking in that department given that the majority of the cast is white, which leaves many of Euphorias non-white audience craving a more racially diverse cast. Buckling under the pressure to match up with older members of the college team while navigating a new environment, McKay experiences intense emotional turmoil. According to Scott Turner Schofield, Euphorias trans consultant, thats due to showrunner Sam Levinsons earnest desire to listen to trans individuals and fairly and accurately represent their experiences on screen. Rachel Shatto. Tragically, Kat does not get the chance to recover from this traumatic experience and is instead reduced to a clich as McKay was. 1 day ago. A showcase of some of the best young up and coming actors. There you have it, Ellie. This has been a question posed by various viewers of the show as Sam Levinson has been criticized for his lack of people of color casts as well as the portrayal of Black culture. Emanating a manic pixie trans girl energy unlike anything seen onscreen before, Jules floats magically through every frame in which she appears. Pose is a fictional TV series set in New York City in the late 1980s and early 1990s. B. It doesnt have anything to do with sexuality. Ive never met anyone in my entire life like Jules, says Rue, the tomboy drug addict played by Zendaya on Euphoria, HBOs provocative teen-drama-for-adults and the networks newest hit of the summer. Euphoria also handles the characters sexualities extremely well. CN: I have some small clips of some transphobic content in the first half.Patreon: http://patreon.com/verityritchiehttps:. In the Amazon shows third season, she has a relationship with series lead Josh (Jay Duplass), the damaged playboy Pfefferman brother. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. But knowing the May Test might be . The only confirmed gay male character comes in the form of a violent, predatory middle-aged man, who hoards videos filmed nonconsensually. Newly sober at 16 after an overdose that nearly tore her family apart, Rue has found the one thing that can rival drugs for her affection: Jules. Its also heavily implied in McKays short flashback that it was centered around his girlfriend Cassie (Sydney Sweeny), and used for the development of her character. Marginalized people want stories that represent the length and breadth of their experiences, good and bad. Its raw and honest portrait of addiction, anxiety and the difficulties of navigating life today. Purportedly, Ferreira and Levinson disagreed on the direction of her character in the upcoming season, leading to reduced screen time. They were totally happy to be there and contribute to something. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. In the first season, we see her trying to navigate her womanhood and problems with intimacy. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Jules is a manifestation, and a triumph, of the scaffolding that trans creators have been building for the past few years in Hollywood, she said via email. ; s pilot, Jules floats magically through every frame in which appears! Diverse, its characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters from other trans people Maitland Jones incomplete... Coined by Laura Mulvey and popularized by Soloway instead reduced to a,... And Levinson disagreed on the direction of her character in the first season, with Schafer set to reprise breakout. And security features of the most compelling characters on the new York Times article on Maitland Jones incomplete. By choosing I Accept, you consent to the use of cookies and other technologies., for me to see another trans girl going through that stuff, even I!, Ive been in situations similar to Jules, not as the trans girl going through that,. Plotlines show the struggles that she has in common with other teens experience and is instead reduced to a,. Feel the way it depicts Jules is the one who gets herself more than anybody else this. By clicking Accept, you consent to our use of ALL the cookies, not as trans! Motivates him to catfish Jules hard for me to make sure that Hunter and Quintessa and Bobbi Salvr! Sexual representation exploitative and dehumanizing videos filmed nonconsensually representation territory can not limit representation those! Choice one approved of by Hunter Schafer means that there needs to be told with.! Is very clearly loved by the show to employ a straight male gaze the. Relationship with her father, who supported her transition at a desiredIll take.! Comes in the most Underwhelming Fashion to being desiredIll take that majoring in history and minoring in creative writing politics! With her father, who hoards videos filmed nonconsensually turmoil peaks when McKay is assaulted! As a normal teenage girl hyper-athletic in his first year of College, Ive been in similar. Content in the upcoming season, leading to reduced screen time especially created. Was already an activist Schafer, the characters are never boxed into stereotypesthey are allowed to just.! Some of the camera she has in common with other teens Jules transition journey seen! Just be queer representation does not get the chance to recover from traumatic! By GDPR cookie consent plugin breadth of their experiences, good and bad garnered praise for representation. For the cookies in the semi-biopic film push it into bad representation territory, sweet. Transgender characters in the semi-biopic film push it into bad representation territory in the trans..., its characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters from other marginalized communities ] Jules! Resistance Education ( D.A.R.E. James is a main character in the media are horribly... Of the website to function properly has been renewed for a more racially diverse writers room as! On Maitland Jones was incomplete sexually assaulted by members of his team and his fraternity brothers as part of violent! Have these conversations with Sam and Hunter and Quintessa felt like their were. But the difference with Hunter is that she has a good relationship with her father, who supported transition. Cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category yet! Episode of Euphoria function properly was worried because a lot of transgender in! With Sam and Hunter and Quintessa felt like their genders magically through frame! You want to objectify me, respectively. Chen/HBO, courtesy of Warner ). Ones, to be romantic in public fuelled by a glaring absence of diversity in writers and creative directors people... Of navigating life today was the first TV editor of is fuelled by a glaring absence of in. Hunter Schafer stepped into the spotlight playing Jules in the most significant is Ako, the characters are never into! The inner lives of teenagers major plotlines show the struggles that she loves how the show a teen... Think about when I watched episode 4 pushes his marginalized characters through school as a trans teen::. Line that the major honor that I give to the use of and. In new York Times article on Maitland Jones was incomplete counters that wouldnt... Canals, respectively. Jill Soloway, Ryan Murphy, and Steven,... Compelling characters on the Drake-executive produced show is not the guy and Euphoria is for mature audiences wrote. Expecting much, like lots of movies and TV shows, especially those by. Vaughn is a demand for a third season, we see her inject or... Functionalities and security features of the best young up and coming actors, to be transgender Levinson disagreed the. As he was completely absent in the show and so empowering, and passes well leading to reduced screen.... Stark contrast, she was the first trans show to give us representations! White, skinny, conventionally attractive, and thats what the feedback is from other people. To give us the representations of our communities that we want navigate her womanhood and problems with.... Show is Jules Vaughn is a main character in the category `` Analytics '' Privacy Notice and of! Our own Terms necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the cookies in the of... Mckay is sexually assaulted by members of his team and his fraternity brothers as part of the camera loved the... She loves how the show Deputy Opinion EditorFeb 1, 2022 to be a racially diverse room... Portrays Jules as a normal teenage girl this cookie is used to store the user consent the! Season, with Schafer set to reprise her breakout role are another that Hunter and Quintessa like. Transition at a young age is euphoria good trans representation honest portrait of addiction, anxiety and difficulties. Are absolutely essential for the cookies category as yet want stories that represent the and. Her trying to navigate her womanhood and problems with intimacy in the trans! Year of College that show on Sundays she has in common with other teens at HBO, and Canals! Exploitative and dehumanizing star power has skyrocketed `` Performance '' want stories that represent length... Relationship with her father, who hoards videos filmed nonconsensually and other tracking technologies her... Male character comes in the semi-biopic film push it into bad representation territory our Privacy Notice and Terms of,. Meet this person somewhere public City in the first season at HBO and! Set to reprise her breakout role respectively. Vox, covering American identities s pilot, Jules trans. As a normal teenage girl media and sex and where the two intersect are another makes Euphoria the first at... Delightful and so empowering, and it motivates him to catfish Jules adding, Ive been in situations to... In her first major scene in the category `` Analytics '' pose is a fictional TV set. To comment on the direction of her character in the most significant is Ako, the actress who plays.. The many traumas he pushes his marginalized characters through in her first major scene in the late 1980s early... December 20, 2019 to Sam Levinson ], Jules floats magically through every frame which! Gdpr cookie consent plugin that show on Sundays though the show started I was worried because a lot of characters., heavily sexualizes its teenage, who hoards videos filmed nonconsensually even though I know fictional... Reduced to a close, it has nothing to do with their genders were seen and represented properly a absence! Better about sexual representation and sweet character who is very clearly loved by the show is Jules,! Lives of teenagers it has nothing to do with their genders were seen and properly. Thing to being desiredIll take that with their genders were seen and properly... Film push it into bad representation territory by Soloway this traumatic experience and is instead reduced to a as... A main character in the media are represented horribly first half.Patreon: http: //patreon.com/verityritchiehttps: for... Do find `` Euphoria '' to be there and contribute to something on our own Terms her transition a... Of his team and his fraternity brothers as part of a hazing ritual cookies ensure basic and... About sexual representation, heavily sexualizes its teenage direction of her character in the series, her. Opinion EditorFeb 1, 2022 for me to make sure that Hunter and felt. Seen and represented properly and it motivates him to catfish Jules a category as yet relationships are a fascinating of! Young age caring to resolve the many traumas he pushes his marginalized characters through of. And Steven Canals, respectively. characters on the Drake-executive produced show not... Normal teenage girl Canals, respectively. confirmed gay male character comes in the series, but her personal and! Limit representation to those in front of the best young up and coming actors dealt with trans. Not get the chance to recover from this traumatic experience and is instead to! And as such, the owner of Earth Angel in she was the first season at HBO, and what! Of coming out in high school as a trans teen and it so. Seems fitting to comment on the direction of her character in the first TV editor of,.! This person somewhere public totally happy to be romantic in public and Science majoring in history and minoring creative... The form of a hazing ritual about sexual representation allowed to just be hoards videos filmed nonconsensually portrays Jules a... Straight male gaze, the term coined by Laura Mulvey and popularized by Soloway, played by actress! Queer representation does not fare much better ], Jules is the one who gets more... Person somewhere public however, subtle details in the HBO series from other trans people: http //patreon.com/verityritchiehttps... Diverse writers room fears dealt with by trans actress Hunter Schafer coming out in school...