Hunter Schafer doesn’t want to be labelled a ‘trans’ actress: ‘I find it demeaning’
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In a recent interview with GQ magazine, Hunter Schafer, best known for her role as Jules Vaughn in the hit series Euphoria, opened up about her feelings of guilt for not being more of a spokesperson for the transgender community. The 25-year-old actress, who was the youngest named plaintiff in a lawsuit against a North Carolina bill that prevented trans people from using bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity, expressed a desire to move on from her transition and just be seen as a girl.
Despite her activist roots, Schafer made it clear that she does not want her trans identity to define her acting career. She acknowledged her responsibility as one of the most famous trans people in media but emphasized that she does not want to be reduced to the label of a ‘trans’ actress. Schafer stated that she has turned down numerous trans roles because she does not want her identity to be the central focus of her work.
“I know I’m one of the most famous trans people in media right now and feel a sense of responsibility, and maybe a little bit of guilt, for not being more of a spokesperson,” Schafer said. “But, ultimately, I believe that not making it a centrepiece to what I’m doing will allow me to get further.”
Schafer also revealed that she has rejected opportunities to discuss her transgender identity in interviews to avoid being pigeon-holed as a trans performer. She expressed frustration with the constant focus on her trans identity, stating that she finds it demeaning and prefers to move beyond that aspect of her life.
“It has not just happened naturally by any means. If I let it happen, it would still be giving ‘transsexual actress’ before every article,” she explained. “As soon as I say it, it gets blastoff. It took a while to learn that and it took a while to learn that I don’t want to be [reduced to] that. I find it demeaning to me and what I do. Especially after high school, I was sick of talking about it.”
However, Schafer’s approach to discussing transgender issues has not been without controversy. In 2022, she faced backlash for seemingly endorsing a ‘transmedicalist’ post on social media. Transmedicalism is the belief that being transgender is inherently binary and requires a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria and gender-affirming care. The post criticized non-binary individuals who do not medically transition and accused them of undermining support for binary trans people.
Schafer responded to the post with exclamation marks, leading many to believe that she supported its message. She later clarified that she is not a transmedicalist and does not hold disdain towards non-binary identifying people. Despite the backlash, Schafer maintained that her ideology around transness does not align with transmedicalism.
Overall, Hunter Schafer’s journey as a transgender actress highlights the complexities of navigating fame and activism while also striving to be seen for her talents and not just her identity. As she continues to make waves in the entertainment industry, Schafer’s commitment to authenticity and individuality serves as a reminder of the importance of embracing one’s true self without being defined by societal labels.
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