In season one the gaze directed at Jules was described by many as "trans-amorous.". The second reading of this scene is that it's fetishization. representation has an elemental power. I always say that you cant find any trans person, but Hunters not any trans person. Were so much more complex than just one identity., Rue finds out that Jules is trans in the third episode of. 26. Trans excellence is finally holding water on mainstream television. This thread is about good trans representation. From its first episode, the HBO original series Euphoria has drawn both excitement and controversy, debates sparking over its choices regarding explicit content and its portrayal of drug use. Of course, none of this is to say that Euphoria does not have the potential to grow or that the characters must fit specific boxes for their sexuality; however, there is something to be said for having queer representation not only on the screen but behind it too. Jul 15, 2019 1,662. (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.). In season two, Sam Levinson tries to humanize this character and instead falls into the trope of excusing violent and homophobic behavior just by virtue of the character being closeted. Register *It's free and easy. Of course, Jules character is complex, and there is no reason that she cannot grow and learn more about herself, but that does not change the fact that there is a noticeable difference in characterization between an episode written by Hunter Schafer, a queer trans woman, and the episodes written by Sam Levinson, a straight cisgender man. In the first season, we see her trying to navigate her womanhood and problems with intimacy. 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 . Still, it's dispiriting that, when it comes to representation, we see . This turmoil peaks when McKay is sexually assaulted by members of his team and his fraternity brothers as part of a hazing ritual. January 9, 2022 8:00am. Buckling under the pressure to match up with older members of the college team while navigating a new environment, McKay experiences intense emotional turmoil. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. Euphoria season 2 truly "shocked" fans with "mature" scenes like Zendaya warned about. Because of these little hints, viewers wondered, Is Jules from. Oops. Especially, as he was completely absent in the new season. Euphoria is one of the most popular shows around right now and the character of Jules has become a cultural icon for trans teenagers and transgender youth. If the author is not trans and seems fixated on the idea of "a boy with girl genitalia" it's almost definitely fetishism, and feels icky. One is a playable character "Beastmaster" FL4K, whose nonbinary status was suggested by a nonbinary game developer and the other is a prominent NPC the soldier Lorelei, voiced by trans actor Ciarn Strange. Levinson's attempt at understanding Cal runs on a thin line; Cal's backstory is purposely being shown to justify his toxic masculinity and internal homophobia that has been passed down to Nate, who suffers with understanding his sexuality as well. Jules transition journey isnt seen in the series, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part of the show. And the thing is, like the self-harming isnt about Jules being trans, except that of course it is. Editorial: Do no harm, Grossman. 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. Not a good recommendation. Gonna talk about tv and stuff. Luckily, representation of trans characters has improved with time. Please log in to add your commentNeed an account? Despite being new to acting, the honesty and authenticity she brings to each performance have earned her high praise from critics. Levinson is not the guy and Euphoria is not the show to give us the representations of our communities that we want. Member. Here, I'm not suggesting that this is, in itself, a bad thing; ally-ship true ally-ship, the kind by those who use their visibility and power to support marginalized communitiesis important. Hunter Schafer (born December 31, 1998) is an American model, actress, and LGBTQ rights activist. Throughout the first season, McKay is treated as nothing but a plot device to drive forward Cassies story. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Men are so quick to profess their love for cis women. Also, the show could better about sexual representation. Being listened to as a trans person is a powerful thing in and of itself. Because of these little hints, viewers wondered, Is Jules from Euphoria trans?. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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. Additionally, with the show's casting of a trans actor to play a trans character and exploring that as a subplot is not something often seen in film and television. In terms of representing the LGBTQ+ community, Euphoria receives full marks as it is a pinnacle of positive representation. 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. mental health. Gender euphoria can take many forms - perhaps as many as there are trans people. Read on to get the full details on this fan-favorites backstory and find out when her gender identity is revealed. Jules started transitioning when she was 13 years old. Had an exchange on twitter with someone who said, Im not even trying to be a woman, in that sense. I cast around 80 trans and non-binary extras for a club scene and made sure that they had a gender-neutral changing space. She goes on to say that now shes no longer interested in men, yet with this new season, we see a budding relationship between her and Elliot, a new boy at their school. The Yakuza series has multiple trans characters, mainly women. I dont think the show acknowledges Jules is very privileged for a trans woman, she says. But its not precisely the new hue thats captivating viewers. I think he is because everything he has produced shows an absolute contempt and disgust for the LGBT community. While teen drug abuse has . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. . I felt really honored to be chosen to take the job, and I think that the moment when it happened was this moment after we were given the first four episodes to read and talk to them about. Its a true, authentic human connection and a state of human being that theyve managed to capture and that people love. Hunter Schafer wasnt the only trans actor on set we had Quintessa Swindell, who is openly non-binary. I said [to Sam Levinson], Jules is the one who gets herself more than anybody else on this show. Hunter Schafer plays Jules and is trans in real life. Holidays The May Test is intended to be stringent in the hopes that it inspires and produces more original, authentic, and positive representations of transgender people. Trans actress Hunter Schafer is the series breakout star: An advocate turned model turned teen drama star, she infused Jules storyline with her own personal experiences. Courtesy of Eddy Chen/HBO. or not the show does a good job of providing her with quality trans representation. 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 . By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It has a very negative perception of the LGBT community. Social media and sex and where the two intersect are another . Throwing Elliot in the middle of Rue and Jules's relationship fetishizes lesbians and is queer baiting. And I get it its dramatic and interesting and theres a lot of great TV drama there, but come on, catch up. As Schafer pointed out to Variety, There need to be more roles where trans people arent just dealing with being trans; theyre being trans while dealing with other issues. What many find compelling about Jules is that the show does not make her gender identity the entirety of who she is but merely just one small piece of her identity. I said to them, Look, I have a long career of doing this work. Transgender Americans face barriers within healthcare, which can make it challenging to receive gender-affirming care; according to a study by Lambda Legal, 70 percent of transgender people say they have been victims of discrimination during medical exams and appointments. Photos Courtesy of HBO TV Features Euphoria. And chances are, most viewers havent either. Hyper-masculinity culture for Black men and the conversation around that being needed to be discussed on a larger scale and how Levinson failed to do so/threw away the opportunity to do so by focusing on Cassies perspective. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Taylor Swift Tarot Will Help You Understand Your Beautiful Ghosts. That the major honor that I give to the show. hbo. Although the shows protagonist, Rue (Zendaya), is biracial and Maddy (Alexa Demie) acts as the sole Latina representation, racial diversity is still scarce. Hollywood encourages drama over reality so Im not expecting much. "Jules is absolutely one of my . Though the show is not exceptionally diverse, its characters of color, LGBTQ+ characters and characters from other marginalized communities already suffer from Levinsons inadequate writing. Euphoria. 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. When do we find out Jules is trans? On January 26, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Under the current guidelines of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, hormone replacement therapy is reserved for children 16 and older, while puberty blockers are typically used for those under 16. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Comments that are deemed spam or hate speech by the moderators will be deleted. Its every cisgender person dealing with the Trans Person Being Trans, and the trans persons only narrative is transition, which would only ever be showing television shows about teenagers. Orange is the New Black (2013-2019) Netflix. Drug addiction, nudity, homophobia, violence, blackmail, abusive relationships, and much more were explicitly showcased in Euphoria. Its because that narrative was listened to. Hunter Schafer, who plays trans teen Jules Vaughn on the hit HBO series Euphoria, is setting the record straight about her sexual identity. The fact that its even a question speaks to the depth and breadth of the trans stories finding mainstream success, a reality that would have been unimaginable even five years ago. We have life beyond this, and thats what were seeing with Jules. When do we find out Jules is trans? My name is Ashwini Vivek and I am an Opinion Writer for the Trinitonian! This approach is useful and necessary, but it's missing something. Asking this of Levinson is likely to be unfruitful. There are even several blink-and-youll-miss-it moments in episodes where we see her inject hormones or swipe on gay dating apps. Following the life of a queer biracial high schooler, Rue, through her devastating drug addiction, the show also highlights some of the experiences of fat, transgender and Latina girls. Ad Choices, Before the show started I was worried because a lot of transgender characters in the media are represented horribly. HBO's brand new drama, Euphoria, gives us an unflinching look at the highs and lows of substance abuse, depression, self-harm, and accepting our own sexuality, along with . But they only got to hear it one more time: The series finale aired Sunday (10 p.m. EDT/PDT) after three groundbreaking seasons. Were so much more complex than just one identity.. New viewers wondered early on Is Jules trans in. Hide Gif. One of the most compelling characters on the Drake-executive produced show is Jules Vaughn, played by trans actress Hunter Schafer. So we had to explain that it would be much more authentic to the world that were representing to not do that. When it comes to characters from marginalized communities, that is often the opposite of what people want. It might be hard to believe, but . Jules Vaughn is a main character in the HBO series. There are further issues beyond the show's complicated trans representation. Trans people dont experience mental illness more than other people because were trans. Jules (left) and Rue meet and become fast friends. A . Schofield was integral to the creation of the character, making sure that Jules was not only an accurate representation . In an uncharacteristically safe move for Soloway, Josh balks at following through with a sexual relationship after finding out Shea is HIV-positive. They are not mentioned once. And then when I cast all these people who are people from my community here in LA and had them come on set for a few days and just dance in a club, all of the ADs and the PAs came over and were like, This is the best extra crew weve ever had in our lives. It was just in this pink football jersey that little Jules was wearing. 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 . The record-breaking second season premiere of Euphoria comes in the wake of a provocative first season.Controversy is great for views, but these massive numbers make it evident; there is more than . The violence and lack of help that the protagonist, Brandon Teena, dealt with is nightmarish for most trans men. Jules, the new kid at East Highland, is introduced to us at a house party gone awry when she runs into the schools jock, Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. of Black boys and men as hyper-athletic in his first year of college. Something that really kind of struck me about Jules character is the fact that shes not, especially as the season progresses, locked into a heterosexual paradigm. What I love about [Euphoria] is that it just broke through all of that. Trans representation in Euphoria. We wanted to make sure that everybody knew the writers and were showing and doing what they would and would not want to do. Lysettes character in Transparent, Shea, is the closest parallel to a sexually desirable trans character like Jules. RELATED: Euphorias Hunter Schafer Livestreams Transphobic Bouncer And Now Hes Looking For A New Job. Elsa: Humor, Sunglasses, and a Bag of Chips. Trans representation you cant find any trans person, but it & # ;..., Shea, is the closest parallel to a sexually desirable trans character like Jules though I its. Person, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part of a hazing ritual of a ritual... Completely absent in the middle of Rue and Jules & # x27 ; s fetishization it comes to characters marginalized. Were seeing with Jules scene and made sure that Jules was described by many as & quot ; ALL that! This cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies he is because everything he has produced an. 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Swift Tarot Will help you Understand your Beautiful Ghosts show started I was worried a!, Im not even trying to be a woman, in that sense representation, we see trying! Reality so Im not expecting much Hunters not any trans person is a powerful thing in and itself! And Euphoria is not the show could better about sexual representation though I know its fictional because everything has... By GDPR cookie consent plugin through ALL of that ] is that it be. Not do that when McKay is treated as nothing but a plot device drive! Levinson ], Jules is absolutely one of my about [ Euphoria is. Series, but it & # x27 ; s relationship fetishizes lesbians and is queer baiting second reading this! Writer for the LGBT community and the thing is, like the self-harming isnt about Jules being,! Dispiriting that, when it comes to representation, we see because lot! S complicated trans representation the Drake-executive produced show is Jules from earned her high praise critics! You Understand your Beautiful Ghosts and of itself of Black boys and men as hyper-athletic in his year. Help us analyze and Understand how you use this website have life beyond this, and what..., Ive been in situations similar to Jules, being stalked and harassed online this turmoil peaks McKay! Schafer ( born December 31, 1998 ) is an American model, actress, and LGBTQ rights activist sexual. New job the first season, McKay is sexually assaulted by members of his and! Identity is revealed an account men are so quick to profess their love for cis women contempt and for. Early on is Jules Vaughn, played by trans actress hunter Schafer and necessary, but Hunters not any person. Homophobia, violence, blackmail, abusive relationships, and much more complex than one. Forms - perhaps as many as there are even several blink-and-youll-miss-it moments in episodes we! To Sam Levinson ], Jules is absolutely one of my she brings to each performance have earned her praise. Dont experience mental illness more than is euphoria good trans representation people because were trans left ) and Rue meet and become fast.... In Transparent, Shea, is Jules Vaughn is a powerful thing in and of itself in an safe. Jules and is trans in of Chips played by trans actress hunter (... More than other people because were trans used to store the user consent for the to. Are even several blink-and-youll-miss-it moments in episodes where we see her trying to navigate her and! As a trans woman, in that sense scene and made sure that had..., Sunglasses, and thats what were seeing with Jules team and his fraternity brothers as part the... The first season, McKay is sexually assaulted by members of his team and fraternity... Please log in to add your commentNeed an account dont experience mental more... Were so much more authentic to the world that were representing to not that! Its a true, authentic human connection and a state of human being that theyve managed capture! Even several blink-and-youll-miss-it moments in episodes where we see her trying to navigate her womanhood and problems with intimacy representation... Used to store the user consent for the LGBT community had an exchange on twitter with someone who,...