Is Gay Media Insensitive to the Trans Experience?

Executive Director of PhillyGayCalendar

A few days ago on Facebook, I ran across a shared article from G Philly, Philadelphia Magazine’s LGBT online blog. The headline sadly read, “17-Year-Old Bucks Co. Trans Man Ends His Life by Stepping in Front of an Amtrak Train.” Reading this, my heart suddenly dropped and I found myself growing extremely emotional.

Depression has been a challenge of mine for much of my life, as it is for many trans people. Not too long ago, suicide was very heavy on my mind. Being a pre-op man of trans experience, distressed with my body and many other factors in my life, I wondered if living was worth all the physical and emotional pain. I questioned my self worth and place in this world. I experienced a hopelessness that made it difficult to breathe. It was a war that I fought hard and tirelessly to get through. Things have since changed and improved for me, but due to the nature and reality of depression, this battle is one I’ve prepared myself to possibly have to fight through again.

In the article, written by Josh Middleton, I read about Riley Matthew Moscatel. Riley was a young trans man from Bucks County. He attended Bucks County Technical High School. According to his mom, Riley had been battling depression for several years and seemed to be in the process of finding himself. Many emotions flowed through me as I read the article and midway, I became sickened and disturbed. Within the first paragraph, Riley’s birth name was included alongside his chosen name. Following that paragraph was an advertisement for a vodka promotion party at a gay nightclub. And proceeding the ad, was detail of an interview from Bucks County Courier Times with Riley’s mom. Her comments included a disclaimer from the G Philly, stating that they’ve “taken the liberty of changing the pronouns in the story out of respect for Riley’s true identity.”

Immediately, the article put forth messages and language that was insensitive, unaffirming and contradictory, causing my heart to break even more for Riley. Too many times have trans activists and revolutionaries stood on the front lines rallying against the constant misrepresentation of trans people by the media. And apparently the fight is one that must continue. Birth names are given and often do not reflect who we are in our transitions. Who we choose and grow to be, including our names, is what is important because it is truth. Chosen names are not nicknames and are not a preference. They represent our authentic selves. The trans community consists of real people with real identities and real lives…that matter. And those very lives should be respected in passing.

It then angered me that when wanting to read more about Riley, I was interrupted by the smiling image of a gay model in an ad promoting Stoli cocktails at a gay nightclub in Philly. When wanting to read more about a young man of trans experience who felt alone and broken, the focus became vodka and gay nightlife. When my priority was wanting to learn more about a young man who tragically ended his life, the priorities of G Philly seemed to drastically differ.

Since the initial publishing of this article by G Philly, Riley’s given name at birth was silently removed and noted with an asterisk, seemingly due to several comments below the online article written by angry and upset trans people and allies. But the ad remains in it’s place and the insensitivity and lack of trans affirmation shown by G Philly still lingers dark and unsettling.

I cannot judge the intention of G Philly when creating this article about Riley. I can hope the intention was to inform the people about a community lost and to educate readers about depression amongst trans people, while providing resources. But the apparent lack of education and knowledge in regards to the trans community and the lack of accountability from G Philly is upsetting and unacceptable. As a LGBT blog, many would expect G Philly to do better. But seemingly the “G” (gay cis male culture in this regards) is the focus and priority of this publication.

I wish Riley had the support and resources he needed to fight through his depression. I wish that the media respected and correctly represented the lives and experiences of trans people. And I speak out to create awareness and to help facilitate the change that is needed and because unfortunately…so many voices, including Riley’s, have been silenced.

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