Trans Actors Reaching New Audiences on Broadcast TV

Despite the current popularity of online streaming, broadcast television still reaches millions of Americans. However, broadcast shows are seen as less important and not as influential as shows that are streamed online, especially in terms of queer representation.

Shows such as Euphoria, Pose, and Sense8  are not only critically acclaimed, but also receive attention and adoration from the LGBTQ community. However, broadcast shows such as Fox’s 9-1-1: Lone Star, NBC’s Good Girls, and ABC’s The Good Doctor have queer and trans representation that is almost never acknowledged. These shows introduce transgender characters and trans actors to millions more viewers outside of the LGBTQ community, yet receive little to no attention from the queer community and media.

Shows such as Blacklist  and The Good Doctor are not popular shows among young queer people, but reach audiences who may never have knowingly interacted with queer people. The four largest broadcast stations—ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS—has an average viewing of people 52 to 63 years old. This group of individuals generally do not actively seek out shows with queer representation, and are less likely to be accepting or supportive of transgender rights or view transgender people positively.

However, these audiences reacted positively to the transgender characters, and the trans actors that played them, that were introduced on these shows. When The Good Doctor introduced a storyline about a pregnant, transgender man, they were apprehensive at first to see what the audience thought. Surprisingly, audiences responded well to the character and the story, and some even reached out to say how much they enjoyed the episode and how they learned so much.

There is a hope that if stories of trans people can be told in a respectful way, older generations may realize that times have changed, and that trans people are just as deserving of rights as any other group of people.

Transgender representation in media is incredibly important, as many states are facing anti-trans legislation. Trans rights, particularly trans youth’s rights, are on the line in the United States. Proper trans representation in media can help change people’s opinions on trans people and issues and creates a step toward a more tolerant and accepting society.