Yes, this yet another piece about transgender people. They are everywhere in the media but not in a good way! The representations inform the general public about transgender communities and have a significant impact on their identity development and lived experiences. Much like a recent coverage of the newlywed transgender couple Hannah Winterbourne and Jake Graf in London. United Kingdom’s popular tabloid newspaper, The Sun took over and published this piece on its front page on March 27. Trans actor and filmmaker Jake married Hannah, the highest ranking trans officer in the British Army on March 23 and shared their love story with The Sun. The idea is appreciated! But what left the readers in distress is the headline which reads, “Jake who used to be a woman weds Hannah who was a man.” Hannah immediately took this to Twitter saying, “I have always been a woman and Jake has always been a man.”
The treatment by the journal left Twitterati in anger! “It’s a real shame that it’s been cheapened by such a sensationalised and misleading headline,” tweeted the groom, Jake. Such representation in a leading tabloid newspaper has disappointed many and this is what Twitterati has to say.
Here is Hannah's tweet.
A shame that our beautiful day and a positive article by @Emskibeat has been marred by fairly offensive headlines. I have always been a woman and Jake has always been a man. pic.twitter.com/Hhdfuvt09M
— Hannah Winterbourne (@hannahw253) March 27, 2018
Jake took it to Twitter too!
Following such a lovely, positive article from @Emskibeat in today’s @TheSun it’s a real shame that it’s been cheapened by such a sensationalised and misleading headline. @hannahw253 was never a man, as I was never a woman. #trans #fact pic.twitter.com/1lNm3wjb4l
— Jake Graf (@JakeGraf1) March 27, 2018
Yes, their love is all more special.
Their love is all the more special in spite of the bigotry and outright discrimination they have faced.
Couldn't be happier for you @JakeGraf1 and @hannahw253, congratulations ❤️💍❤️ pic.twitter.com/7nCGWwaK87
— Ethan Spibey (@EthanLDN) March 27, 2018
The headline was offensive!
Ignoring the headline, which made me so angry! Angry enough I was in tears. I just want to call out how beautiful you looked @hannahw253 and how handsome @JakeGraf1 looked too - massive congratulations ❤️
— Marc Reace-Coles © (@magicreace) March 27, 2018
Even we feel bad that they had to see this.
Very sorry to see this Hannah. I hope you had a wonderful wedding and wish you both the very for the future. https://t.co/kbdn6C8EIw
— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) March 27, 2018
She fixed it for them!
I’ve fixed the cover for them. pic.twitter.com/qNYi08vovb
— Sarah O'Connell (@SarahO_Connell) March 27, 2018
Yes, the visibility of transgender community has increased, and they are able to come out but at the same time, the insensitive portrayal of the community, such as these headlines, are creating misinformation. Negative portrayal can worsen the dysphoria of trans people! And that is what needs to stop. It just takes a little research and better choice of words. The positive and accurate coverage will surely be applauded by our readers. While we ignore the terrible headlines, congratulations to Hannah and Jake for such a lovely couple they make and wish you both a wonderful married life!
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 27, 2018 05:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).