Tuesday, 6 September 2016

Published 11:43:00 by

Actress Jen Richards explains the problem with casting cis actors in trans roles

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Trans actress and activist Jen Richards—whose show Her Story was recently nominated for an Emmy—has been engaging in some important dialogue about representation recently. Specifically she’s focused on Hollywood’s insistence on casting cis (i.e. non-trans) actors in trans parts. Though it happens frequently (think Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club), Richards' most recent comments were specifically inspired by the upcoming indie movie Anything, which stars Matt Bomer as a transgender sex worker. Richards tweeted out a long thread on the topic, including these tweets:

https://twitter.com/SmartAssJen/status/769932017790164992 https://twitter.com/SmartAssJen/status/769932796915658753 https://twitter.com/SmartAssJen/status/769933647625322496 https://twitter.com/SmartAssJen/status/769935281797468161 https://twitter.com/SmartAssJen/status/769936018313138176 https://twitter.com/SmartAssJen/status/769936897393106946 https://twitter.com/SmartAssJen/status/769938075535278080

Richards took issue with both Bomer and Mark Ruffalo, who is an executive producer on Anything.

https://twitter.com/SmartAssJen/status/769939511455260672

As backlash against the film increased, Ruffalo himself got involved in the conversation:

https://twitter.com/MarkRuffalo/status/771100395242459137 https://twitter.com/MarkRuffalo/status/771102840823701504 https://twitter.com/MarkRuffalo/status/771103856856014848 https://twitter.com/MarkRuffalo/status/771843975909171202

Richards tweeted support for Ruffalo's openness:

https://twitter.com/SmartAssJen/status/771102631468994560

And she later uploaded this 13-minute video in which she thoughtfully explains the entire situation and invites Ruffalo to continue the conversation with her:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLzM7BuNdIo

For more on the topic, you can read a Hollywood Reporter op-ed from director of GLAAD's Transgender Media Program Nick Adams called "Matt Bomer and Men Who Play Transgender Women Send a 'Toxic and Dangerous' Message." And to support a series in which trans actors play trans roles, you can watch Her Story right here.