Developing Trans Inclusive Content

I’d like to make content with transgender and/or nonbinary characters.

Fantastic! Have the conversations necessary to understand the nuances within this world. We’re having those conversations with women, people of color, people with disabilities, and people from diverse faith groups to tell their own stories. This is just another way to include more voices at the table. Seek out and get to know trans storytellers and creators. Take it slow, meet and greet, build relationships. Just like any other artists that you bring in who may not share your same background, be aware of your gaze, the lens through which you see things.

I heard about a really interesting trans person in history, and I want to tell their story.

We recommend you proceed with caution when approaching stories about trans people in history. Trans people have always existed in every community, culture, and country around the world. Unfortunately, reports about transgender men in history have often been distorted by describing them as women living as men to get a job, and transgender women are dismissed as men who passed as women. The history is further complicated because today’s trans terminology wasn’t used in the past, and because the ability to medically transition with hormones and surgeries didn’t begin until the early Twentieth Century. As an artist, it’s important not to project onto people in the past ideas and concepts that didn’t exist in their time. However, some people in history were trans. To do their stories justice, you need to know a lot about the history of the trans community. There are people who study and understand how trans people existed in the past, and it’s important that you talk to them.

I’ve read the above, but I’m gay or lesbian, can’t I figure this out myself?

If you are not trans, you’re still likely to project your own ideas and experiences with gender expression onto trans characters.

I’ve met some trans people I want to bring in.

Fantastic. But be sure you haven’t just hired the first trans person you met at a party – not everyone is an expert on storytelling and content creation. It’s important that you seek out and work with experienced trans creators and storytellers. There are trans people today who have experience directing TV and feature films, working in writers rooms, and producing. Additionally, check out trans people creating content in playwriting, novels, poetry, art, memoir, academia, and comedy.

I’ve identified and surrounded myself with one or more trans people. What now?

Empower and enable the trans people you hire. That means encouraging them to push back on you creatively, especially when it comes to the specificities of the trans experience. There is often pressure, explicit or otherwise, for a trans person to toe the party line when working on projects originated by powerful cisgender people.

Ideally you’ve hired experienced people who understand storytelling and content creation, not just someone who happens to be trans. But even some of those experienced trans creators may need extra support in the form of mentoring and feedback. The trans people you bring in, especially in entry level jobs, won’t necessarily enter the room with that sense of belonging that straight white cis people have. Be aware of both your – and their – levels of privilege and act with kindness and empathy.