Elaine O’Connor | Contributing Writer
what it confuses for comedy is in fact an unending series of digs at the most marginalized in our society
The recent debut of the new comedy The Centre marks yet another tiring failure from RTÉ in relation to LGBTQ issues. While purporting itself to be ‘edgy’ and non-PC, what it confuses for comedy is in fact an unending series of digs at the most marginalized in our society. In the course of a twenty-four minute episode, there are no less than six jokes directed at the character Nuala, purely on the basis of her trans* status. From intentionally using incorrect and belittling language to describe the transition process (“pre-op transgenderising”) to unflinching jabs at the characters appearance (Adam’s apple, body hair comments etc.) the show really covers all its bases in terms of transphobia. It is almost impressive what a comprehensive example of terrible minority portrayal this show is, before we even begin to discuss the show’s shallow and insulting portrayals of Islam and damaging stereotypes of the travelling community.
they fully intended to play on the idea that trans* women are at best a joke and at worst freaks
The Centre has also been criticized for furthering the “man in a dress” stereotype of trans* women. It is important we do not conflate passing (the concept of a transgender person being perceived by strangers as their transitioned to gender, something not everyone can do) with innate gender identity. It is equally important to recognize that 99% of the time when a show or film casts someone who appears traditionally masculine and places them in female clothes, they have no intention of commenting on the binary conception of gender. We can be fairly sure that when RTÉ cast Après Match’s Gary Cooke, they fully intended to play on the idea that trans* women are at best a joke and at worst freaks. When RTÉ decided to make a “hookers with mickeys” joke and have Nuala laugh along in a deep voice, even the most optimistic among us could not help but be enraged at this kind of callousness.
Media representation is what informs people about how they order the world, who is deserving of respect and who is not. Media representation of LGBTQ people, when it is considered and nuanced, is a lifeline to queer young people. When it is done like in The Centre, it is fuel and justification to the people who reject and lash out at them. It is perhaps unlikely that every single person in Ireland will meet a trans* person in their lifetime and know them well enough to arrive at the conclusion that they are people and worthy of being treated as such. Therefore when the one constant theme in the representation of that group is that they are subhuman, they become subhuman. To claim anything different is to be wilfully ignorant of the systems of privilege and power in western societies and how media both creates and reflects these systems.
When we are told to “lighten up” in spite of staggering suicide and unemployment rates among trans* people, what they mean is “get back in your place.”
RTÉ, commenting on the number of complaints received in response to the episode, said that the show mocked a number of groups in Ireland and that the transphobic jokes are only made by the villain of the show, Amanda Menton. This is blatantly untrue. The jokes are made by the narrator and several other characters, even by Nuala herself. RTÉ propose that the LGBTQ community must learn to be laughed at just like everyone else (presumably “everyone else” does not include middle class straight white Irish men who escape largely unscathed from the show’s “controversial” humour). “Everyone else” means that women are portrayed as either murderous, sex crazed bitches, or uptight and weak willed. “Everyone else” means making digs at the illiteracy issue in the Travelling Community and playing on stereotypes of Islam. “Be laughed at like everyone else” means what it always means. It means that in exchange for a culture that no longer denies our existence or is actively violent to us as often as it was, we have to be the butt of the joke. Our lives, our suffering, are clearly very entertaining to RTÉ. When we are told to “lighten up” in spite of staggering suicide and unemployment rates among trans* people, what they mean is “get back in your place.”
we have to make six jokes in a twenty-four minute show to remind us how far we’ve come not to attack them on sight anymore
Every time RTÉ or any other media outlet produces another tired, insulting show that claims to be non-PC, the creators are quite happy to rabbit on about how cutting edge their new project is. As if realistic, human portrayals of transwomen are so every day and so boring that we have to make six jokes in a twenty-four minute show to remind us how far we’ve come not to attack them on sight anymore. For RTÉ to be so arrogant to turn around to the LGBTQ community in the wake of Pantigate and tell us yet again what is and isn’t good broadcasting is exhausting. It is exhausting having to constantly prove your humanity to people, that there is more to you than your gender identity or sexuality and that you deserve the same complex, multifaceted media depiction as everyone else.
We are not laughing, and you do not get to tell us to laugh because it makes you feel better
Diversity is not a ploy for grants. Diversity is not a bureaucratic buzz word that unfortunately infringes on RTÉ’s desire to be as privileged and offensive as it pleases. Diversity is what is necessary to create functioning, equal and just societies. We have to ‘create’ diversity via grants and quotas and public consultation because since time immemorial, certain groups in society have held all the power. For a state broadcaster, who by its nature should represent all groups within society to be so derisive and childish about the concept of diversity is unforgivable. This is not a joke for you to make. It is not a joke that there is currently no gender recognition in this country. It is not a joke that trans* people are constantly rejected from their homes and workplace and there is no outrage about it. We are not laughing, and you do not get to tell us to laugh because it makes you feel better.
