Brits do not like deliberate misgendering of trans people in British media
Ofcom research has found that most Brits feel that “deliberate misgendering” of a trans person on TV would be considered highly offensive.
The research by Ofcom is used to calibrate what kind of content can be broadcast on British media outlets.
Deadnaming — using a person’s pre-transition identity — is considered to be particularly unjustifiable, because it is likely to have been done deliberately.
Participants found the hypothetical scenario of a presenter repeatedly misgendering a transgender guest less acceptable than if it had only happened once.
The use of slurs like “tr*anny”, “he-she”, “”sh*male” and “gender bender” was considered highly offensive by the respondents. Such use would require a clear and strong contextual justification when used in British media.
The study also shows that Britons are also becoming less tolerant of racism on TV.
The findings on attitudes towards trans people are important, as transphobia is driven more by feelings than facts or rational arguments. The fact that so many respondents sympathize with trans people who are misgendered tells us that it should be possible to get many of those who express transphobic opinions to change their meaning.
Photo: RapidEye
Originally published at https://trans-express.lgbt.