Podcast Summary: On the Media – "Trans Formations"*

Podcast Information:

• Title: On the Media
• Host/Author: WNYC Studios
• Episode: Trans* Formations
• Release Date: May 7, 2021

Overview: In the "Trans* Formations" episode of On the Media, hosts Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger delve into the escalating wave of anti-trans legislation in the United States. The discussion encompasses the multifaceted challenges faced by transgender individuals, the historical context of trans movements, the role of media representations, and the ongoing fight for trans rights and visibility. Featuring insights from journalists Kaitlyn Burns, Dr. Jack Turbin, Jules Gill Peterson, and activist Imara Jones, the episode paints a comprehensive picture of the current landscape and future prospects for the trans community.

1. Current State of Anti-Trans Legislation

Proliferation of Restrictive Bills: Brooke Gladstone outlines the alarming rise in anti-trans legislation, noting that "at least 117 bills in some 33 states have been introduced in the current legislative session alone" (03:13). These bills mark the highest number since the Human Rights Campaign began tracking such legislation over 15 years ago.

Two-Pronged Legislative Assault: Kaitlyn Burns explains the dual strategy behind these bills:

• Sports Bans: "The most successful prong so far is banning transgender girls from girls sports in school" (03:44).
• Healthcare Restrictions: "The second line of attack is to try to ban transition related health care for people under the age of 18" (04:01).

Origins of Anti-Trans Rhetoric: Burns attributes the anti-trans arguments to a 2015 document by the Family Research Council titled "Understanding and Responding to the Transgender Movement," which asserts biological determinism and dismisses trans identities as societal fantasies (04:10).

Impact of Previous Campaigns: Referencing the North Carolina bathroom bill, Burns highlights how fear of economic backlash—such as boycotts from businesses and the NCAA—successfully stalled the legislation (06:27). However, the current landscape shows these strategies facing diminishing resistance, particularly concerning healthcare bans (07:38).

2. Medical Perspectives on Trans Youth

Interview with Dr. Jack Turbin: Dr. Turbin, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellow at Stanford University, provides a medical overview of treatments for transgender youth.

• Puberty Blockers:

  • Used to halt puberty for transgender youth experiencing severe body dysphoria (09:20).
  • Research indicates that access to these blockers "had lower odds of having considered suicide in their lifetime" compared to those without access (10:28).

• Hormone Therapy:

  • Involves estrogen or testosterone to align physical characteristics with gender identity (11:17).
  • Emphasizes the irreversible nature of some changes and the careful deliberation required before proceeding (11:55).

• Detransitioning:

  • Studies show that less than 1% of individuals regret transitioning (13:00).
  • Most detransitioning occurs due to external pressures like job loss or family rejection, not personal regret (13:00).

Mental Health Implications: Dr. Turbin highlights the high risk of suicide among transgender adults, with some studies reporting rates as high as 40% (19:08). Affirming medical interventions significantly reduce these risks, although societal stigma continues to impact mental health (19:09).

3. Representation of Trans People in Sports

Debunking Myths of Biological Advantage: Dr. Turbin challenges the notion that trans girls have a biological edge in sports, noting the lack of comprehensive research in this area (14:22). He argues that:

• Hormonal Treatments: Many transgender athletes undergo puberty suppression and hormone therapy, which mitigate any potential advantages.
• Psychological Factors: The constant societal bullying and anxiety faced by trans athletes can impede their athletic performance (14:35).

Historical Context: Burns references a federal lawsuit by the families of female athletes opposing policies that allow anyone identifying as female to compete in girls' sports, noting that such instances are exceedingly rare (05:38).

4. Historical Context of Trans People in the US

Trans History Beyond Modern Narratives: Jules Gill Peterson provides a historical perspective, emphasizing that transgender identities are not a recent phenomenon but have existed across different eras.

• Early Medical Model:

  • Harry Benjamin, a German-born endocrinologist, played a pivotal role in shaping the medical understanding of transsexuality in the 1950s and 60s (27:39).
  • His work laid the foundation for the modern medical approach to transgender care (28:20).

• Racial Disparities:

  • Peterson discusses the racial biases in historical trans treatment, noting that Black trans individuals were often excluded and marginalized within medical institutions (32:20).

5. Activism and Community Leaders

Stonewall Uprising and Beyond: Imara Jones recounts the pivotal role of trans activists like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera in the Stonewall riots, which ignited the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement (35:38).

• Founding of STAR:
  • Johnson and Rivera established the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) in the early 70s, advocating for homeless LGBTQ+ youth and resisting police harassment (37:28).

Ongoing Struggles: Jones highlights the continued violence and discrimination faced by trans individuals, particularly Black trans women, referencing the unresolved murder of Marsha P. Johnson as a case in point (38:54).

6. Trans Representation in Media

Problematic Portrayals: The podcast critiques historical media representations of trans people, often depicting them as villains or subjects of pity.

• Negative Stereotypes:
  • Examples include Tony Perkins in Hitchcock's Psycho and Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs, where trans characters are associated with violence and deviance (45:40).

Positive Shifts: Recent media has begun to offer more nuanced and authentic representations.

• Laverne Cox and "Orange is the New Black":

  • Time magazine's cover featuring Laverne Cox marked a significant moment of visibility (43:15).

• Documentary "Disclosure":

  • Sam Feder discusses his documentary's impact on industry perceptions and policies, including influencing actors and judges to adopt more trans-inclusive practices (51:12).

Desire for Complex Narratives: Sam Feder advocates for stories that portray trans individuals with depth, showcasing both challenges and triumphs without resorting to one-dimensional positivity (49:37).

7. Future of Trans Rights and Representation

Visions from Experts and Activists: Experts like Dr. Turbin and Jules Gill Peterson, alongside activists like Imara Jones, articulate a vision for a society that fully embraces and celebrates trans identities.

• Societal Transformation:

  • Peterson emphasizes the need to move beyond defensive stances, advocating for the celebration and normalization of trans childhood as a foundational societal change (33:56).

• Trans District Model:

  • Jones presents the transgender district in San Francisco as a pioneering model for historical preservation and social justice, aiming to rectify past injustices while fostering community growth (39:12).

Call for Inclusive Progress: The episode underscores the importance of inclusive policies, authentic representation, and societal acceptance in building a future where trans individuals can thrive without fear of discrimination or violence.

Notable Quotes:

• Kaitlyn Burns (03:13): "At least 117 bills in some 33 states have been introduced in the current legislative session alone, the most since the Human Rights Campaign began tracking such legislation over 15 years ago."

• Dr. Jack Turbin (10:35): "Those who accessed puberty blockers had lower odds of having considered suicide in their lifetime."

• Imara Jones (35:38): "Trans people have been targets of violence and extreme violence for time immemorial."

• Sam Feder (49:37): "I want complicated stories, you know, the antidote to negativity. I do not believe sterilized, positive stories will make the world a better place."

• Jules Gill Peterson (33:56): "I want to live in a world where trans children are wanted, where we see trans childhood not as something that should be managed medically or controlled or policed or at worst, eradicated, but something that we want, something we're excited about."

Conclusion: "Trans* Formations" offers an in-depth exploration of the challenges and progress within the trans community, highlighting the intersection of politics, medicine, history, activism, and media. Through expert insights and personal narratives, the episode underscores the resilience of trans individuals and the ongoing fight for equality and recognition in an often hostile landscape.