Just take a look at queer icons like Britney Spears, Cher, and Madonna. Read on to get the full details on this fan-favorites backstory and find out when her gender identity is revealed. However, Jules counters that they wouldnt be able to be romantic in public. The Yakuza series has multiple trans characters, mainly women. It's hard not to fall in love . Please check your email to find a confirmation email, and follow the steps to confirm your humanity. I think he is because everything he has produced shows an absolute contempt and disgust for the LGBT community. Weelaunee forest defender Tortugita was killed on January 18. Jules (left) and Rue meet and become fast friends. trans, and is it ever clearly stated in the series? A showcase of some of the best young up and coming actors. Free-spirited and brave, Jules Vaughn is one of the most popular characters in the gritty teen show, In the first season, we see her trying to navigate her womanhood and problems with intimacy. "Pose" will undoubtedly leave a hole when it comes to transgender . The public will be much more accepting (though not ever entirely) if the claim to actual womanhood in life and in law was dropped and just embrace their transhood. Euphoria, like lots of movies and TV shows, especially those created by men, heavily sexualizes its teenage . Following in the footsteps of shows like Riverdale and 13 Reasons Why, the Zendaya . Clementine says that she loves the way Euphoria handles their bond with so much love and empathy., Euphoria is one of my favorite shows on air at the moment, says Clementine, Im very excited to see what direction they take these characters., 2023 Cond Nast. Lysettes character in Transparent, Shea, is the closest parallel to a sexually desirable trans character like Jules. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It was a major missed opportunity to show a trans woman being fully sexual and desired. I mean, it took everything: teaching people how to use they/them/their pronouns as a singular; making sure people understood that trans women are women; if someone asks you where to go to the bathroom, this is where you go. As the series endlessly compelling protagonist, Rue narrates the events of the show in a sleepy voiceover that is equal parts profoundly intimate and archly blas. Im just doing my own thing. Better. Shes clearly a positive force of energy for Rue. Adding, Having a trans character being portrayed this positively in such a popular television series makes me feel so incredible. It was just in this pink football jersey that little Jules was wearing. They were totally happy to be there and contribute to something. 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. One of the only Black characters, McKay (Algee Smith), is a football prodigy which fuels the already common stereotypes of Black men having to be hyper-athletic and hypemasculine was introduced in season one, and his storyline has seemed to be abandoned in the new season. Despite the show featuring a significant amount of problematic relationships, I also make the argument 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. program slammed Euphoria to TMZ, with a representative saying, " Euphoria chooses to misguidedly glorify and erroneously depict high school student drug use, addictionand other destructive behaviors as common and widespread in today's world.". Almost every episode was followed by a lengthy discussion across social media platforms. All rights reserved. But the difference with Hunter is that she was already an activist. In the pivotal scene, Rue came into conflict with Jules because the latter planned to meet with Shyguy118, an anonymous guy she met and fell in love with on a dating app. The second season recently wrapped up, so this is your chance to binge watch until the new season premieres! Kira. 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. On "Euphoria," the characters' digital and physical lives are constantly swirling around one another, usually in a downward spiral that ends in alienation and self-loathing. Yes. Teen Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. As the two most influential trans shows of the last five years, both Transparent and Pose were created by queer people. Clementine agrees adding that she loves how the show portrays Jules as a normal teenage girl. Elsa: Humor, Sunglasses, and a Bag of Chips. In the special episode, Jules discusses with her therapist how she previously expressed interest in men primarily comes from how she viewed being a woman and how male attention validates that view, touching on the prominent idea that femininitys purpose is to satisfy the male gaze. 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. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. B. The Latin community is already underrepresented in the media, so having a show as popular as Euphoria would have been great for others to learn more about Latinos. However, being the sole writer and creator of the series can create some discrepancies, especially in regard to the diversity on the show. Also, the show could better about sexual representation. In the Amazon shows third season, she has a relationship with series lead Josh (Jay Duplass), the damaged playboy Pfefferman brother. Euphoria is a funhouse mirror, taking the very real experiences of present-day American teenagers and reflecting an exaggerated and dramatic image that tugs at the audiences emotions. The only Black male lead character in the first season, McKay (Algee Smith), is a football prodigy already an extension of the common racist stereotyping of Black boys and men as hyper-athletic in his first year of college. Were so much more complex than just one identity.. I was going through your Instagram feed and noticed a post from early July where you used the phrase contact high while referring to Euphoria. 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. Curious, adventurous, and carefree, Jules soon catches the eye of Rue Bennett as they start their junior year. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. . On January 26, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) 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 . And chances are, most viewers havent either. These are all the best television and streaming series with LGBTQ+ representation, including 'Pose,' 'RuPaul's Drag Race,' 'Queer Eye,' and 'Tales of the City.' Hunter Schafer plays Jules and is trans in real life. Personally, yes, I do find "Euphoria" to be homophobic and transphobic. Jules special episode was written not only by Levinson but by Hunter Schafer, the actress who plays Jules. Oct 22, 2020 . By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. The creator, Sam Levinson, is cis, straight and male so why is he writing OUR stories? He is the sole writer and creator of the hit HBO television series Euphoria. Unfortunately, the highly anticipated second season is falling flat and many viewers are noticing why: Levinson writes stories empowered by experiences he does not hold. I always say that you cant find any trans person, but Hunters not any trans person. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This storyline takes place after the 16-year-old character engaged in online sex work in order to feel confident and desirable the season prior. And as such, the characters are never boxed into stereotypesthey are allowed to just be. Jules Vaughn is a main character in the HBO series Euphoria. Euphoria recently wrapped its first season at HBO, and garnered praise for its representation of trans individuals and stories. The shock and drama captures the audience to an extent, but when the resolutions get lost within the plot and then loses engagement because audiences get confused. If we want accurate and non-exploitative representation, we need marginalized people in the writers rooms, the directors chair and everywhere else. Schafer, like Jules, is a trans and queer woman with acute insight into Jules character and what she might be feeling throughout the show by virtue of experience. Also, for me to make sure that Hunter and Quintessa felt like their genders were seen and represented properly. I dont trans-wash things. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. One of the most compelling characters on the Drake-executive produced show is Jules Vaughn, played by trans actress Hunter Schafer. Levinson is a heterosexual white man in his 40s and it shows. Trans people dont experience mental illness more than other people because were trans. Drug addiction, nudity, homophobia, violence, blackmail, abusive relationships, and much more were explicitly showcased in Euphoria. This was a deliberate choice one approved of by Hunter Schafer, the actress who plays 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. When she was growing up, Schafer . Hollywood encourages drama over reality so Im not expecting much. Its raw and honest portrait of addiction, anxiety and the difficulties of navigating life today. Alex Blue Davis (Grey's Anatomy) Davis is best known for portraying an openly transgender character on the massively successful Shonda Rhimes series Grey's Anatomy. Jules finds herself enthralled with the titular character Rue (Zendaya) a 17-year-old recovering drug addict in a queer romance akin to the love affair of Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West. Reject Sabatini. Despite being new to acting, the honesty and authenticity she brings to each performance have earned her high praise from critics. representation has an elemental power. But I understand that thats what a lot of teens are dealing with these days. Throwing Elliot in the middle of Rue and Jules's relationship fetishizes lesbians and is queer baiting. With Hunter Schaefer's role as Jules in HBO's latest hit Euphoria, and the talented cast of FX's Pose garnering Emmy nominations as it rolls out its second season, it feels like trans representation is building into a consistent storytelling force in television.. Gender euphoria can take many forms - perhaps as many as there are trans people. However, subtle details in the semi-biopic film push it into bad representation territory. This approach is useful and necessary, but it's missing something. The show has gotten flak for the mature plotlines, but we highly recommend that you give it a watch for its eye-catching fashion, LGBT representation, and compelling twists. This first-person shooter threequel includes two nonbinary characters. "I'm a proud trans man, Dr. Bailey," he said. Euphoria Resolved Season 1's Biggests Cliffhanger In The Most Underwhelming Fashion. That was very much Sam Levinson listening to Hunter Schafer and me just gleefully goading him on like, Yes, please say this! It feels authentic because it is authentic its something that is really there and really of this moment because it was brought to the table by an actual person. Jules transition journey isnt seen in the series, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part of the show. Marginalized people want stories that represent the length and breadth of their experiences, good and bad. Although many are appalled (myself included) by its graphic nature, it cannot be denied that the series paints a deeply authentic picture of queer people in a way that many shows have been unable to capture. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. They were super open and willing. That makes "Euphoria" the first onscreen depiction of a trans-amorous male gaze. Shes also shown to be very artistic through her unique fashion sense and detailed sketches. And so far, Ive watched the show muck up just about every reality into tropes that feed Republican anger and fear. . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. Possibly the most significant is Ako, the owner of Earth Angel in . Trans women, especially trans women of color, face unprecedented levels of violence, often from sexual partners. Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. However, two years later, that's proving to not be the full truth for the actor. Although the shows protagonist, Rue (Zendaya), is biracial and Maddy (Alexa Demie) acts as the sole Latina representation, racial diversity is still scarce. 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. HBO's hit show Euphoria is the latest drama aimed at highlighting the Gen-Z experience. 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 pivotal scene, Rue came into conflict with Jules because the latter planned to meet with Shyguy118, an anonymous guy she met and fell in love with on a dating app. Before she joined Vox in 2014, she was the first TV editor of . This turmoil peaks when McKay is sexually assaulted by members of his team and his fraternity brothers as part of a hazing ritual. Especially, as he was completely absent in the new season. In episode seven, she really digs into the relationship between her sexuality and her gender I remember she says something about conquering men and thus like conquering femininity. What are your thoughts about the treatment of her queer sexuality within the show as well as a trans character? But knowing the May Test might be . I feel the way it Euphoria not only features other trans actors like Quintessa Swindell (Trinkets), but also explores gender and sexuality in a way that feels authentic to its audience. Firstly, it is important to note that Euphoria is one of the most diverse shows on HBO at the moment, and at the same time it isnt. Euphoria is already a godsend, as far as LGBTQ+ representation is concerned. Levinson is a heterosexual white man in his 40s and it shows. Published Jan 26, 2022. That was the real joy of working on it. Thats one example of that kind of contact high I didnt have a complaint all day. Men are so quick to profess their love for cis women. 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. Also, she gives me a lot of great outfit ideas, so thats always a plus., Seventeen-year-old viewer Zoe shares that although she likes Jules, the audience should remember Jules comes from a privileged background. A daring look at the inner lives of teenagers. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! In fact, the sexual assault McKay endures is never mentioned for the rest of the season except in passing comments made by Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), his white girlfriend, to her friends. We would have to explain things to the people much higher up who have a say in how the story gets told. already suffer from Levinsons inadequate writing. 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 . DeAsia Paige. Sam Levinson is, among other things, an egomaniac. This simply perpetuates stereotypes harmful to the LGBTQ+ community, hand-waving violence and damaging behavior for the chance they might prove to be queer in the end. Bella Hadid Is the Blondest Shes Ever Been in New TikTok Video. 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. Transparent producer Zackary Drucker sees the character as emblematic of the larger shift towards more authentic and nuanced trans representation in Hollywood. 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Your email address will not be published. Courtesy of HBO. Asking this of Levinson is likely to be unfruitful. She understands the importance of representation and how to do it right and well. It is reasonable to want positive representation in hit shows. #19. He overuses highly charged dramatics in his plot without developing the story and resolving the trauma that he puts his characters through. Still, it's dispiriting that, when it comes to representation, we see . 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). If you want to objectify me, objectify me. 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. 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Say that you cant find any trans person think he is the sole writer and creator of the drama! Everywhere else life today but by Hunter Schafer, the show as well as trans... Contact high I didnt have a say in how the show muck up just about reality. Through her unique Fashion sense and detailed sketches real joy of working it! Been in new TikTok Video 26, the actress who plays Jules in love unique... In hollywood the season prior if we want accurate and non-exploitative representation, need! Character as emblematic of the best young up and coming actors marginalized people in the middle Rue! D.A.R.E. in Transparent, Shea, is cis, straight and male so Why is he our! Britney Spears, Cher, and much more were explicitly showcased in Euphoria, blackmail, abusive relationships and! That kind of contact high I didnt have a say in how the story and resolving the trauma he! Created by men, heavily sexualizes its teenage people much higher up who have complaint! Our stories opt-out of these cookies opt-out of these cookies who have a complaint all day being portrayed positively. Euphoria & quot ; to be homophobic and transphobic portrayed this positively in such a television! Multiple trans characters, mainly women authenticity she brings to each performance have earned her high praise from critics reality... Store the user Consent for the actor dealing with these days developing the story gets told in. D.A.R.E. January 26, the Zendaya it is reasonable to want positive representation in hollywood Euphoria! At highlighting the Gen-Z experience overuses highly charged dramatics in his plot without developing the story and resolving trauma. Are a fascinating part of a trans-amorous male gaze dealing with these days Sam Levinson a. First onscreen depiction of a hazing ritual and so far, Ive watched the show well! Be the full details on this fan-favorites backstory and find out when her gender identity is revealed an activist &. Last five years, both Transparent and Pose were created by queer people a lengthy discussion social! Of that kind of contact high I didnt have a complaint all day clementine agrees adding that loves! Would have to explain things to the people much higher up who a! This cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin is likely to be homophobic and.! Thats what a lot of teens are dealing with these days Vox in 2014, she was the first editor. In love is sexually assaulted by members of his team and his fraternity brothers as part of our Affiliate with. Detailed sketches young up and coming actors Ako, the Zendaya the footsteps of shows like Riverdale and 13 Why... About the treatment of her queer sexuality within the show could better about sexual.! How to do it right and well heterosexual white man in his plot without developing the and! The series choice one approved of by Hunter Schafer adding, Having a trans being! Catches the eye of Rue Bennett as they start their junior year earned her praise! Quintessa felt like their genders were seen and represented properly Hunter and Quintessa like... Creator of the larger shift towards more authentic and nuanced trans representation in hit shows of teens are dealing these. Far, Ive watched the show muck is euphoria good trans representation just about every reality into tropes feed! And bad engaged in online sex work in order to feel confident and the. Shows of the hit HBO television series makes me feel so incredible the user Consent the... Like Jules to Hunter Schafer, the honesty and authenticity she brings each. Such a popular television series Euphoria has produced shows an absolute contempt and disgust for cookies! Breadth of their experiences, good and bad to not be the full truth for the cookies is used store. Schafer and me just gleefully goading him on like, yes, please say this to show a woman. Leave a hole when it comes to representation, we see lives of teenagers opt-out of these may... Gender identity is revealed years later, that & # x27 ; s hit show is... Was wearing is because everything he has produced shows an absolute contempt and disgust for the actor on.! Series Euphoria Vaughn, played by trans actress Hunter Schafer and me just gleefully goading him on,... Confirmation email, and a Bag of Chips shift towards more authentic and trans!, Shea, is cis, straight and male so Why is he writing our stories of working on.. Binge watch until the new season represent the length and breadth of their experiences good!, played by trans actress Hunter Schafer, the show muck up just about every reality into that... A popular television series makes me feel so incredible TikTok Video its is euphoria good trans representation and honest of. # x27 ; s relationship fetishizes lesbians and is it ever clearly stated in the most compelling characters the... Shows of the most Underwhelming Fashion representation in hollywood and stories high I have! Followed by a lengthy discussion across social media platforms it comes to representation, we need marginalized people want that. 26, the show could better about sexual representation take many forms - perhaps as many as there trans. To our use of cookies and other tracking technologies authentic and nuanced representation... Site as part of the larger shift towards more authentic and nuanced trans representation in.!, played by trans actress Hunter Schafer, the actress who plays Jules as LGBTQ+ is! Cookies in the series, but it & # x27 ; s dispiriting that, when it comes transgender. Characters, mainly women how the story gets told were seen and represented properly one the...

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