“They have suffered a lot and that suffering will be passed on to you”
Perception of trans people as potential partners among cis audiences
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14195/2183-5462_48_6Keywords:
Trans identities, Media reception, Cis audiences, Romantic relationshipsAbstract
Previous studies indicate that 87.5% of cisgender individuals would not consider a trans person as a partner (Blair & Hoskin, 2018). However, the perceptions underlying this rejection remain unclear. This article examines how media representations of trans people —particularly the tragic archetype—shape their positioning as potential partners. A media reception analysis was conducted using semi-structured interviews with cisgender participants (n = 20) of diverse genders and sexual orientations to understand the interpretations they construct from their cumulative exposure to trans narratives. The findings allow us to identify a trans-cis relational model articulated around three unprecedented axes: «burden» associated with being connected to a stigmatized person, and «renunciation» and «social judgment», linked to being part of a stigmatized relationship. Although this trope fosters empathetic and humanized visibility, it does not translate into greater inclusion within the intimate sphere.
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