Hunter Schafer has been trending for days due to the “secret” relationship she had with Rosalía. It turns out that when we saw them together, it wasn’t just because they were great friends, but also because they shared a deep love. But the topic we’re going to address today is much more important than her relationship with the flamenco singer because Hunter has expressed her dislike for being called “transgender” as the “trans” makes her feel offended and even thinks it’s a derogatory term.
Why Does Hunter Schafer Reject the Term “Trans”?
It’s simpler than we imagine because she says she transitioned precisely for that reason, because she felt like a woman, without further labels, so she considers the use of the word “trans” to refer to her or anyone who has transitioned from their biological sex unnecessary.
The Euphoria actress has mentioned that she doesn’t want to be reduced to just being a “transgender” woman; she is much more and has worked very hard to get where she is. During her transition, Hunter Schafer has had to explain many times that she is a girl... and just that… a girl. Now, it’s demeaning that many times she has been offered roles as transgender people and not as a girl, as they are effectively reducing her to one aspect, not seeing her as she is and how she feels.
“I don’t want to be [reduced to] that, and I find it ultimately demeaning to me and what I want to do,” Schafer said. “I worked so hard to get to where I am, past these really hard points in my transition, and now I just want to be a girl and finally move on.”
She has even mentioned that being able to turn down transgender roles is a privilege, but beyond just enjoying the possibility without further thought, she believes she can go further and strengthen the cause for other people within the LGBT+ community.
“I know for a fact that I’m one of the most famous trans people in media right now, and I do feel a sense of responsibility, and maybe a little bit of guilt, for not being more of a spokesperson,” she explained.
“But ultimately, I really do believe that not making it the centrepiece to what I’m doing will allow me to get further. And I think getting further and doing awesome s***, in the interest of ‘the movement,’ will be way more helpful than talking about it all the time.”
It’s hard when we are so entrenched in our privileges and our role within society, but we must try until we succeed in deconstructing ourselves and being empathetic with others. Even actors like Eddie Redmayne have mentioned that it was a mistake to act as a transgender person in The Danish Girl because being transgender is not a portrayal, it’s like blackface, it turns out to be demeaning and mocking (although the actor did not do it with that intention), and it’s a practice that needs to stop now.
