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Trans Representation In 'Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina'

Theo Is the Trans Character We Need In Media

Syracuse University

297

Trans Representation In 'Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina'

Wikimedia Commons

Fans of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina are currently praising Netflix and the cast and crew of Sabrina for Theo's trans storyline. For those of you who do not know, Lachlan Watson, who plays Susie/Theo, is a non-binary actor. In the original Sabrina script, Susie comes out as a trans man early in the show. Moreover, when speaking to Bustle about Theo not identifying as a trans man in season 1, Lachlan said: "I may have influenced the writers to hold off. I talk so much about myself and my identity as a non-binary person and I think they listened, and if anything it helped them understand that labels aren't everything. Susie is on an ongoing queer journey, just like myself."

Thanks to Lachlan's own input and editing of the role, season 1 of Sabrina gives Theo the chance to discover themselves at their own pace. Giving Theo time to naturally grow and developed created a much more realistic character that LGBTQ+ can relate to. Therefore, perhaps what makes Theo such an amazing character is that he is played by Lachlan. Since Lachlan's own story overlaps with Theo's, they constantly bring their own life experience to the character. Talking to Bustle about identity, Lachlan said that they used to identify "fully and completely as a trans male" before realizing they were non-binary.

Moreover, in season 2, Theo slowly figures out how they identify after using the boy's locker room, trying out for the boy's basketball team, and using male pronouns when they come out.

That said, what is great, but also arguably unrealistic, is how accepting Theo's friends and family are.

As described in PopBuzz, "In a scene with Ros, Harvey says: 'We just call her Theo now?' Ros then replies: 'No, we call him Theo. Theo might look like a girl but he's not, he's a boy and that's how he's always been. He's just ready now to live as himself, like Theo.' Harvey then answers: 'Ok, Susie no more. Now Theo.' This is important because Harvey is not asking Theo insensitive questions. He is doing the work himself. Theo later comes out to his Dad and, while his Dad struggles to come to terms with the news at first (he calls Theo his 'best girl' and dismisses him initially), he comes around after Theo says: 'I can't keep going on as a girl anymore.'" The scene is so necessary because it emphasizes how much Theo's Dad loves him and is still there for his son.

Also, at the beginning of season 2 Theo is constantly bullied by his basketball teammates; however, by the end of the season after he concludes that he is a man, said teammates respect him. Theo's main bully, Billy Marlin, even apologizes for all the torment he put Theo through. As a result, Sabrina emphasizes how easy it is for people in real life to support the LGBTQ+ community. There is no reason to bully such people, which the Netflix series effortlessly conveys to viewers.

However, having an extremely strong support group of friends who accept him for who he is is not realistic. Although Theo experiences bullying from his basketball teammates and classmates, like so many trans people actually do, it is not enough to show how messy, complicated and conflicted LGBTQ+ people's lives typically are. Theo's transition did not feel like a real-life transition story, but rather what so many people mistakenly believe happens. Although Sabrina is one of the best series in TV history to accurately represent trans people on and off screen, the LGBTQ+ community deserves more than what we currently have in the media.

As expressed by Romper, although trans representation in the media has improved over the last few years, the LGBTQ+ community craves for any trans characters and stories in any show or movie. Moreover, although it is great that Sabrina is providing the LGBTQ+ community with a trans character on a popular TV show, the fact that such a role and storyline is rare is absurd.

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Film

This Oscar Season, Make Your Way To The Movie Theatre Instead Of Illegally Streaming

Box office sales for blockbuster movies sort of set the scene as far as sales go for independent movies. The less independent movies are supported, the less they'll be produced for our viewing pleasure.

Rutgers University

This Oscar Season, Make Your Way To The Movie Theatre Instead Of Illegally Streaming

Flickr

Since the new year has begun, it is officially safe to say that Oscar season is upon us. If you are anything like me, you are using the next month or so to get a head start on seeing movies before official nominations come out. While you may be tempted to watch the contenders in the comfort of your own home, consider otherwise for the following reasons.

1. Support local theatre/art

One main reason to spend $8 on a movie ticket is to support the film industry. Sure, this multi-billion dollar Hollywood industry probably won't hurt if only a few of us illegally stream movies online, but that is still counterproductive. Box office sales for blockbuster movies sort of set the scene as far as sales go for independent movies. The less independent movies are supported, the less they'll be produced for our viewing pleasure. Therefore, it is crucial that we support local theatre who play these movies to keep them in business and expand our movie-going options.

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film

Education

5 Aggravating Things Every Women In The Ag Field Is Tired Of Hearing

Here are few examples of what us "Ag Girls" go through every day!

Kansas State University

181

5 Aggravating Things Every Women In The Ag Field Is Tired Of Hearing

Bailey Hittle

Don't let me tell you that the Agriculture industry is a horrible industry because it's not it's amazing! In the past 20 years, the industry has been making leaps and bounds towards evolving. I've grown up in the Agriculture Field submerged in it and yet I still get asked these questions all the time.

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education

Lifestyles

8 Reasons Why I Love The Virginia Film Festival

I know it just ended, but if you missed the film festival this year, make sure you pencil it in to your 2019 fall calendar.

University of Virginia

102

8 Reasons Why I Love The Virginia Film Festival

virginiafilmfestival.org

Since I first came to UVA, the film festival has been one of my favorite parts of the fall semester. It's a chance to step away from my normal routine and actually make time to sit down and watch a quality movie. Though I've liked some movies I've seen at VAFF more than others, every movie I've seen has left me thinking more deeply about my relationship with art and the world around me. VAFF is an extremely valuable addition to the Charlottesville arts scene every year and is something that all UVA students should pencil into their calendars each year.

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Health and Wellness

YouTube Makes Mental Health Personal, Even If Viewers Can't Relate

Truth is, our perceptions are reliant on the content production.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

129

Garrett Watts

Trigger warning for individuals who are currently struggling with a mental illness/disorder.

"TLC" shows are kind of my guilty pleasure. Many of the shows are edited heavily and therefore are not an accurate depiction of reality… but they are very entertaining, and I can't seem to turn away from the screen when watching an episode of "My 600-lb Life" or "Hoarding: Buried Alive."

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Theo Is the Trans Character We Need In Media

We’re branded in tradition.

Box office sales for blockbuster movies sort of set the scene as far as sales go for independent movies. The less independent movies are supported, the less they'll be produced for our viewing pleasure.

1. Support local theatre/art

2. Watching a movie on the big screen is always better

3. It just isn't right

Here are few examples of what us "Ag Girls" go through every day!

1. “Aren’t you just going to be a housewife?”

2. “Are you seriously wearing makeup?”

3. “If you’re not going to be a vet, what are you going to do?”

4. “You don’t want to get those pretty hands dirty, do you?”

5. “Aren’t you just going to marry a farmer”

I know it just ended, but if you missed the film festival this year, make sure you pencil it in to your 2019 fall calendar.

1. It's where I first saw La La Land two years ago

2. It allows college students to attend a fancy film festival for free and with no industry connections

3. It can lead to awesome guest speakers and bring Hollywood directly to Charlottesville

4. It gives me a sneak preview of Oscar season, so I can alert my family to what's coming out this holiday season

5. It's a good excuse to take a trip to the Downtown Mall and feel cultured

6. It provides unforgettable internship opportunities for students interested in working in the arts

7. It can get people excited about movies who normally might not care much about them

8. It engages the whole Charlottesville community, from filmgoers to volunteers, in a wonderful artistic celebration

Truth is, our perceptions are reliant on the content production.

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