Has Increased Media Representation and Celebrity Disclosure Impacted Views on

Transgender Identity? A SURVEY OF TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS AND HOW

THEY ARE SEEN BY OTHERS

Aiden Hirshfield, MA

Fielding Graduate University

Working Definitions

Transgender: “umbrella term referring to individuals whose gender identity or gender expression falls outside of the stereotypical gender norms” (O’Neil, McWhirter, & Cerezo, 2008).

Falls into the category cisgender: gender identity differs from assigned sex at birth

Proper way to inquire about someone's gender identity is to ask:

“what is your preferred gender pronoun”

Working Definitions

Heteronormativity: refers to the cultural phenomenon that expresses heterosexuality as the norm and categorizes genders into distinct roles as male and female (DePalma & Jennett, 2010)

Psychological constructs

Social Cognitive Theory: learning through witnessing events

Symbols (specifically heteronormative ones) are a powerful tool for comprehending environmental events and provide guidelines for judgments (Bandura, 2001).

Problematic for transgender individuals; By nature their identity blurs the lines between what is considered male and what is considered female.

Psychological constructs

Social Validation:

In seeking social validation, transgender people often have to adopt stereotypical identities: masculine men, and feminine women (Cialdini, 2001)

Psychological constructs

Observational Learning and Celebrity Modeling:

The image of a celebrity “can be more tightly held and more powerful than the real person on which it is based” (Fraser & Brown, 2002).

Campaign for Houston

#occupotty

#occutpotty

Transgender Media Representation Survey

Recognized a need for research

Conducted a 2 week online survey

Distributed through Facebook and Tumblr

N= 281

33% Transgender Participants (n=92)

67% Non-transgender Participants (n= 189)

Study Methods and Demographics

Anonymous and Confidential

Two participant groups: Transgender and Non-Transgender

Participants self-elected into the study, without compensation.

Mean age group for both was 22-25

Majority from the United States (California and Texas)

“Which websites/apps do you use to connect with the transgender community?”

90% of respondents selected Facebook (n=76)

46% selected Tumblr (n=39)

25% of respondents indicated “Other” (n=21)

55% Social Groups

49% for Social Networking

Global Connectedness

“Because of where I work…scared to connect”

“Community feels heavily divided and unorganized.”

Non-Transgender ParticipantsTransgender Participants

Discussion

Breakdown in communication between participant groups

increased representation has not measurably improved self-perception or self-efficacy in the transgender participants, but it has increased instances of self-disclosure.

Transgender Celebrities

Cailtyn Jenner

Caitlyn Jenner - Age 66 <1yr

“Maura” (Jeffrey Tambor) – Age 71

No HRT

Further research

Transgender Media Representation Survey 2016

Obama signed new transgender healthcare into legislation for 2015

November Elections may bring more trans issues to light

Centers of Gravity

Personal Narratives

Does increased media representation have an impact on violence against transgender persons, as well as housing, employment and personal relationships?

Questions?

references

Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory of mass communication. Media psychology, 3(3), 265-299.

Cialdini, R. B., & Goldstein, N. J. (2002). The science and practice of persuasion. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 43(2), 40-50. doi:10.1177/001088040204300204

DePalma, R., & Jennett, M. (2010). Homophobia, transphobia and culture: Deconstructing heteronormativity in english primary schools. Intercultural Education, 21(1), 15-26. doi:10.1080/14675980903491858

Fraser, B. P., & Brown, W. J. (2002). Media, Celebrities, and Social Influence: Identification With Elvis Presley. Mass Communication & Society, 5(2), 183-206.

Human Rights Campaign Foundation. (2004). Transgender issues in the workplace: A tool for managers. Washington, DC.

O'Neil, M. E., McWhirter, E. H., & Cerezo, A. (2008). Transgender identities and gender variance in vocational psychology recommendations for practice, social advocacy, and research. Journal of Career Development, 34(3), 286-308.

Stets, J. E., & Burke, P. J. (2000). Identity theory and social identity theory. Social Psychology Quarterly, 63(3), 224-237.