Lesbian story pulled from biological woman (actress), given to trans identified male to write. Progress circa 2020

submitted by aka_deja_vu from themuse.jezebel.com

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[–]RevengeOfTheCis 20 insightful - 5 fun20 insightful - 4 fun21 insightful - 5 fun -  (0 children)

LOL at all the Scarlett Johansson bashing in the article. I'm sure she'll never find work again now that she's a known transphobe. /s

[–][deleted] 8 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 0 fun9 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

I'm confused. I read it as the story is about a TIF, but you're saying it's a lesbian story. This article was kind of shittily cobbled together.

[–]Sittingonarainbow 15 insightful - 1 fun15 insightful - 0 fun16 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

There seems to be some confusion as some sources say she was a butch lesbian and queer and trans sources say she is trans. This could be another case of transing dead people who can't speak for themselves.

[–]MarkTwainiac 10 insightful - 1 fun10 insightful - 0 fun11 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Butch lesbian. Her obituary:

http://old.post-gazette.com/obituaries/20030109gillp4.asp

[–]Anna_Nym 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

There's an interview with a cousin that confirms Gill's transness: https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/article/Dante-Tex-Gill-s-Cousin-Tells-Us-What-Tex-13071088.php

It seems clear that everyone knew Gill was a biological woman, though. (Except perhaps when he married his wife in Hawaii since that wouldn't have been legal at the time)

[–]LilianH 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Yet the same cousin is quoted in the obituary using "she" to refer to Tex. I'm wary of relatives who may have had limited contact with a person who suddenly become the go-to source on their lives many years after the person's death.

[–]Anna_Nym 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

That's fair, but the only evidence for butch lesbianism is that the 2003 obituary used female pronouns. I think the weight of evidence is stronger for trans man than butch lesbian in this particular case. (but as I said before, I don't think that makes the casting critique legitimate. However Gill may have thought of him or herself, Gill's physical reality was that of a biological woman)

[–]fuckingsealions 3 insightful - 8 fun3 insightful - 7 fun4 insightful - 8 fun -  (0 children)

This article was kind of shittily cobbled together

That should be Gawker Media's masthead.

[–]Anna_Nym 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Shouldn't this be given to a trans man if it's not going to be given to a lesbian? What does Our Lady J know about lesbian culture or trans man's experience?

As far as I can tell, there's no documentation that Gill was on T or had any kind of surgery, so the whole thing is silly. He does seem to have identified as a trans man (per an interview with a cousin), but that doesn't actually alter his physical form. It's why these conversations are so incoherent. Sure, this isn't transing the dead and why not respect Gill's pronouns? But in terms of casting, a woman makes more sense than a medically transitioned trans man.

I am glad Johansson didn't end up playing Gill. He was a big person, and there aren't a ton of good roles for bigger actresses. I'd rather Lea Delaria or someone like her play the part.

[–]blackrainbow 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

That was one of the first things that made me peak. I really wanted to see Scarlett in that role, TRAs ruin everything!!

[–]ReapWhirlwinds 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Anyone want to bet that the actual role will be given to a TIM? Note that they've said it will be a "trans person." They've already given the script to a TIM to write despite the fact that TIMs are the literal embodiment of the MenWritingWomen trope. It would be just so 2020 for this woman's role to be given to a man.

[–]fuckingsealions 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Here is a different point of view wrt how Gill lived: https://www.feministcurrent.com/2018/07/09/controversy-surrounding-scarlett-johansson-playing-transman-demonstrates-incoherence-trans-identity/

[–]PassionateIntensity 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Hang on-- I heard about the ScarJo controversy but I didn't realize the role was based on a real person that TRAs had transed in death.

[–]fuckingsealions 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

It sounds like it. I'd love to know more about this person... Was it lifelong dysphoria or was this a choice that coincided with her sexuality, and she played it up in order to run a business?