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[through-a-critical-lens]

Lack of Non-Binary Representation in Media

Despite 2SLGBTQIA+ representation being lightyears ahead of what it once was, there is one area which is still lacking – non-binary representation. This is evident in the show Hacks which airs on HBO.

While Hacks may be one of my favourite shows for it's biting sense of humour with a gooey heart hidden beneath the bickering, it is a perfect example of a piece of media that include plenty of representation for different sexualities, yet the non-binary community is forgotten.

Take a look at this video, where the cast and creators talk about an important scene between Deborah and Ava – the show's two main characters.

In this scene, Ava discusses her bisexuality and the nuance that comes along with that. She asks Deborah (who is presumed straight up to this point), "Have you ever considered, like, why you like men?" (Max, 2022, 1:56). Deborah responds by saying, "I don't understand that question. In my day, there were two options. You liked one or you liked the other" (Max, 2022, 2:00).

Not only is this comment erasing bisexuality, as Deborah is stating that you must choose one gender to stick with, but it is also blatant erasure of the non-binary community. By saying you need to pick one or the other, she is implying that there are two genders: men, and women. While I understand that this is Deborah's point of view and she is discussing her lived experience growing up in a different time – where being non-binary wasn't outwardly discussed – I believe that it was up to Ava's character to right this wrong. Ava shares her point of view on sexuality and explains to Deborah how it is a nuanced thing – there are more options than just gay or straight. But yet, even though Ava is immersed in queer culture and clearly identifies as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, she is doing a major disservice to all the genderqueer members of this very community.

I find this very surprising for a show that includes a lot of representation of different sexualities. We have Ava, a bisexual woman, and Marcus, a gay man, both as a part of the ensemble cast and both having queer relationships in the show. The actor who plays Marcus, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, is actually non-binary in real life. As an actor I understand that the writing of the show is not their responsibility, and non-binary people do not have the onus on them to correct other people when it comes to their labels – it can get quite exhausting when your very identity is politicized, and perhaps you are the only non-binary person someone knows so they come to you for all the answers. But I do expect more from the writers, I expect them to be considerate of the actors they employ, and I certainly expect more from a show that already boasts so much representation.

I look to other shows that seamlessly integrate non-binary representation into their scripts, and I hope that in the future Hacks can do the same.

Take One Day at a Time for example. This show features a lesbian as one of the main characters, Elena, and her significant other, Syd. Syd uses they/them pronouns and identifies as non-binary. The show has never made this a big deal, yet turns it in to fun moments like the one below.

Elena and Syd try to find a non-gendered term to use, as Syd identifies as non-binary, and they eventually come to the conclusion that Syd is Elena's "syd-nificant other". This is a very cute moment that subtlely teaches people that are watching, hey, not everyone falls under the gender binary and identifies as either a man or a woman.

I believe shows like One Day at a Time are helping to change the world, in a good way. Shows like these can positively impact the people watching them, and I think about this particularly when it comes to my students. Having taught in a small town, I think that watching a show like this would help my students broaden their horizons, allowing them to appreciate people from diverse backgrounds. It may also help a student who identifies as non-binary, but may not be comfortable saying it aloud yet, feel seen.

When "many students’ pronouns (are) neither acknowledged nor used by classmates or educators" (Shatila et al., 2021, p. 4) students can feel disheartened. This is why I always start my year off with a student survey, where there is a voluntary space for pronouns. I want to ensure each student feels welcome and comfortable in my class, but I also don't want them to feel forced to share their pronouns if they aren't comfortable.

As Adelman et al. (2022) state, "Gen Z is...proving to readily embrace identities outside of fixed gender binaries" (p. 194). I believe shows like One Day at a Time are proving that my generation are ready for a change, and we aren't going to sit around while certain media ignore the non-binary community.

References

Adelman, M., Nonnenmacher, S., Borman, B., Kosciw, J. G. (2022). Gen Z GSAs: Trans-Affirming and Racially Inclusive Gender-Sexuality Alliances in Secondary Schools. Teachers College Record, 124(8), pp.192-219.

Shatila, A. L., Kneedler, S. J., Chen, F. Y. (2021). Promoting Inclusive Practice for Trans and Nonbinary Students. Communiqué, 49(6), pp. 4-9.

[through-a-critical-lens]

"Everybody has a theory of gender." - Judith Butler

I will admit that my theory of gender as a queer person is perhaps more open-ended than most. In this video, Judith Butler talks about the concept of gender and how we can change our reality by actively making choices. For example, when Elliot Page came out as trans non-binary, using they/he pronouns, both his reality and our reality changed.

Butler states that "in enacting our lives as a particular gender, we are actually realizing that gender anew, we are making something real happen" (Big Think, 2023, 7:59). When Elliot Page began to live his life as who he truly was on the inside, reality changed. Aspects of his gender that are performative (meaning how we want others to perceive us, how we act) changed. When trans and non-binary folks come out, any number of things can change. Perhaps they are going by a new name or are using new pronouns, maybe they are going to present differently or dress differently. These changes are gender-affirming and not only help to make the person going through these changes more comfortable within themselves, but they also help our world to progress further, away from narrow ways of thinking.

Gender is how you feel internally, it's how you express yourself, it's how you identify. It has nothing to do with what body parts you have. That's my gender theory. What's yours?

Reference

Big Think. (2023, June 8). Berkeley professor explains gender theory | Judith Butler [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD9IOllUR4k

[through-a-critical-lens]

Ever wondered about what the difference between sex and gender is? Well this video is perfect for you!

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"Supporting students who are trans and non- binary is essential work."

Reference

Shatila, A. L., Kneedler, S. J., Chen, F. Y. (2021). Promoting Inclusive Practice for Trans and Nonbinary Students. Communiqué, 49(6), pp. 4-9.

[through-a-critical-lens]

Genderqueer Characters in Media

Syd (One Day at a Time)

Identifies as non-binary. Uses they/them pronouns.

2. Lake Ripple (Elemental)

Identifies as non-binary. Uses they/them and she/her pronouns.

3. Loki (Loki the Series)

Identifies as genderfluid. Uses he/him pronouns.

4. Kai Bartley (Grey's Anatomy)

Identifies as non-binary. Uses they/them pronouns.

5. Cal Bowman (Sex Education)

Identifies as non-binary. Uses they/them pronouns.

6. Jim Jimenez (Our Flag Means Death)

Identifies as non-binary. Uses they/them pronouns.

7. Pollution (Good Omens)

Identifies as non-binary. Uses they/them pronouns.

8. Cassidy Geoffrey (Abbott Elementary)

Identifies as non-binary. Uses they/them pronouns and "Mx." honorific when teaching.

9. Double Trouble (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power)

Identifies as non-binary. Uses they/them pronouns.

10. Rainbow Quartz 2.0 (Steven Universe)

Identifies as non-binary. Uses they/them and he/him pronouns.