The Trans Community

edit

Many regard Jared Leto’s performance as excellent. The responses from some in the trans community differ. Some in the trans community were offended by the portrayal of Leto's character because it fit the stereotypes of how society views trans women. His character, Rayon, is portrayed as a stereotypical trans showgirl who fails to overcome her drug addiction: which some argue is an unfair portrayal of the community considering how many different types of people are transgender.[1] SWith all the applause Leto got over this role, it drew a lot of attention to the way he portrayed trans women. “Raynon is tormented not by having HIV but by being transgender” .[2] Some found it offensive that the media portrayed the character like this because there may be some people who would believe that all trans women are this way. With all the praise and attention that Dallas Buyer’s Club received the character could have been portrayed in a different light due to the fact that it deals with a subject, the trans community, which some people may not be educated about. . “Because the media portrays trans women in this very specific way, the public comes to accept that this must be what trans individuals are like”[3] Some in the trans community were also offended that a cisman was cast as a transwoman rather than an actual trans. In response to this critique the director of the movie, Jean-Marc Vallée said, "I'm not aiming for the real thing. I'm aiming for an experienced actor who wants to portray the thing."[4] On March 2, 2014, Jared Leto won the Oscar for best performance by an actor in a supporting role, which only angered those who were frustrated by his portrayal particularly, when he didn’t mention the trans community in his acceptance speech.[5] “Having the opportunity to play positive roles seems slim for trans actors when I look at the abysmal lack of confidence and intestinal fortitude of Hollywood. But that will never happen if no one sheds light on the absence of trans actors and no one dares to challenge the absence of trans actors and the unequivocal celebration of cis actors in trans roles.” [6]

  1. ^ Friess, Steve. "Don't Applaud Jared Leto's Transgender Mammy". Time.
  2. ^ Friess, Steve. "Don't Applaud Jared Leto's Transgender Mammy". Time.
  3. ^ Molloy, Parker. "What People Don't Get About Dismay Over Jared Let". Advocate.
  4. ^ Molloy, Parker. "What People Don't Get About Dismay Over Jared Leto". Advocate.
  5. ^ Sieczkowski, Cavan. "Jared Leto's Oscar Win For "Dallas Buyers Club" Criticized by Transgender Community". Huffington Post.
  6. ^ Fox, Fallon. "Forget the Oscar: Jared Leto was Miscast in Dallas Buyers Club". Time.