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Media Portrayal in a Transgender Society

Media Portrayal in a Transgender Society

Ashley Arteaga
RWS 1302

Media Portrayal in a Transgender Society

Media Portrayal in a Transgender Society

In Todays society more and more people are coming out to the world and letting their
voices be heard. Transgender is becoming mainstream in which they want everyone to know that
they are comfortable in the skin that they choose by being portrayed and showing their stories
online, through magazines, and reality shows. Caitlyn Jenner formally known as Bruce Jenner, a
T.V Reality Star, has come out in a way that is getting so much publicity that others are finding
way to express themselves in such ways. The podcast from Transition Transmission Episode 62
and the comic from PoliticalCartoons.com show how the media is presenting Transgender
Americans by allowing their stories to be broadcast all over. How it is possible that there are so
many people in this world going through the same problem and their voices arent heard but one
reality star gets a coming out party on Vanity Fair and a Diane Sawyer Segment.
Audience and Purpose
The first genre, a Jimmy Margulies product, is a photo that has a humorous way of showing
that there are places you can go to that can provide you with information about Transgender
issues than coming out to the world than how the Reality Star did. It is to inform you that you
can go places if you have questions on set issues. The second genre is a podcast from Transition
Transmission website where guest Transgender star from My Cool Diverse Life, Gabrielle
Hermosa gives her input on what she felt about Caitlyn Jenners story. She not only expresses her
opinions but they open the floor to other visitors to give their input on how they feel about
Caitlyn and Transitioning in general. In the podcast the listeners can hear the good and bad
reviews of how they feel about the topic at hand.

Media Portrayal in a Transgender Society

The intended audience is those who are following the Transition of Caitlyn Jenner as well as
the many who have questions about the issue and want to be better informed of what is going on.
Transgender is a touchy subject that most people usually dont talk about; people are coming out
in different ways and that is why Caitlyn was awarded for her courage of how she came out to
the world. This picture lets the readers see the humor of the comic and to remember that there are
lots of ordinary people out there that are not coming out on a Reality show. From Chaz Bono to
Laverne Cox more reality stars are becoming advocates for the LGBT community.
In the comic there are two people in a room where the door is labeled Transgender
information Center. From what we can gather is there is a man sitting in from of a female shrink
and her dialogue shows the comical side of the issue. Mr. Margulies has a way of expressing
himself through his comics. In the second genre Host Bunny and guest Gabrielle Hermosa
bring up the topic of Caitlyn Jenner and how they felt during the Diane Sawyer Interview as well
as the ESPY Award Speech Ms. Jenner gave. The show also shows that there are people out there
who arent as happy with Caitlyn and are maybe bothered by how she is going about her issues.
Unlike the comic the podcast is pretty straight forward and they leave people with their own
opinions on how they interpret the show. The language is basically used to entertain.
Ethos
The author of the photo covers not only transgender issues but other news issues as well.
His comics are intended to be humorous but to show people the issues in a comical way. Jimmy
Margulies establishes credibility by creating a website that provides the readers with information
about various topics. His political cartoons come out on Sunday Newspapers as well as News

Media Portrayal in a Transgender Society

websites all over the East Coast. The Podcast is from a show that talks about LGBT topics. The
hosts of the show always have guest appearances, usually someone from the LGBT community,
and express their feelings. It is time we got out of the 1950s when it comes to Transgender
issues.(Gabrielle Hermosa,2015)
Logos
The message of the photo is to advocate that there are information centers that are open to
the public that you can go that offer people information if you are interested in Trans issues.
They use information center to show that this a topic where anyone can be better informed of if
they were interested. It comes off as humorous but also has a serious tone to it through the text
and setting of the comic. The podcast is to inform the listeners who are going through
transitioning.
Pathos
The Image texts states I assure you, many people have made the transition without a Diane
Sawyer Interview or vanity fair cover. I shows the humor of the Shrink as well as the serious
part of the topic which is Transgender information. The podcast on the other hand has various
interviews with transgender community members. The second Genres message is to listen to the
opinions of the listeners. Different people have their ways of expressing themselves and these
advocators are letting people tell their sides of these stories. Like Genre one, genre two has a
serious tone to it but the hosts make it a fun environment. The tones of their voices can tell you
that they know their stuff but also that they have fun with what they do. You cant see the
environment or any visual for that matter but you use their voices for feedback.
Structure and Delivery

Media Portrayal in a Transgender Society

One genre is portrayed through a podcast and the other through a photo. Both genres were
organized to talk about the Media portrayal at the hand. It also shows how much the media can
make an impact on daily issues. These genres are there to entertain as well as inform the readers.
It is structured with evidence from people who know the topic hands on from those who are
living through the topic.
Conclusion
If a regular guy that was not a T.V star came out would the reaction still be the same? Would we
have the same outcome of how people think he is courageous? Would that regular person be
commended for being brave, the answer is no. Because of that persons background he received a
lot of credit. Many people need help and need their voices heard, they need a good remodel that
they can look up to and trust in them. They dont need their lives being broadcasted every day for
people to judge their lifestyles. Transgender people want their voices to be heardcan Caitlyn
do that for them?

Media Portrayal in a Transgender Society

References
Fournier, J, (2014, June, 5).Transgender Issues. Retrieved from
https://prezi.com/2dwhd7yeclbr/transgender-issues/
Griggs, B, (2015, June 1). Cultures Transgender Movement. Retrieved from
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/23/living/transgender-moment-jenner-feat/
Hermosa, G, (2015) [In-Text Citation] Retrieved from
http://www.mycdlife.com/
Margulies, J, (2015, June 1) Bruce Jenner Becomes Caitlyn. Retrieved from
http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/e0c56f9e-9f32-4618-804a-2a6926d26680.html
Transgender, T (2015, June, 16). Caitlyn Jenner, Does passing matter, Tranrace, and Diverse
opinions, Episode 62. Retrieved from
http://transitiontransmission.com/post/121627246454/transition-transmission-episode-62-thisweek-on