The new sitcome, Work It, has been angering equality activists across the board.
The show, if you haven’t seen the above trailer, is about two guys that decide that they have to dress as women to get jobs. They come to the conclusion that women are in more demand than men, so they do it to escape unemployment.
Here’s what’s being said:
Drian Juarez, project manager for the Transgender Economic Empowerment Program at Los Angeles’s Gay and Lesbian Center:
“What is clearly intended to be a humorous promotional ad for the show depicts the two lead characters, dressed as women, standing at a urinal. Sadly, it├óΓé¼Γäós very common for people to promote fear of sharing the bathroom with transgender people as a means to further their prejudice. We├óΓé¼Γäóre frequently portrayed as sexual predators using the bathroom to make sexual advances.”
Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign:
“We’ve seen a lot of offensive things on TV over the years, but this really takes the cake. The so-called ‘comedy’ of Work It is based on the premise that male-bodied people who unsuccessfully attempt to present themselves as women are worthy of ridicule. The problem is that most transgender women find themselves in this situation, at least temporarily, during their transition process. And due to the prohibitively high costs of transition-related medical care and widespread insurance inequities, many may be visibly transgender for their entire lives.
“By emphasizing the artificiality of the lead characters’ femininity through depictions of them putting on makeup and feminine clothing, for example, Work It makes similar implications about the nature of transgender women’s identities and their ways of expressing them, reinforcing the erroneous popular notion that transgender women are not ‘real’ women. By encouraging the audience to laugh at the characters’ failed attempts at womanhood, the show condones similar treatment of visibly transgender women. Unfortunately, such prejudiced behavior needs no encouragement; 53% of self-identified transgender people reported having been the victim of verbal harassment or abuse in a public place. ABC should not air this show ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ plain and simple. At the very least, Work It is offensive and insulting. At worst, the show is downright dangerous and sends a message that transgender people are meant to be laughed at, or are somehow less-than. This show would be a tremendous setback for transgender Americans, and everyone who believes that all people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.”
Masen Davis, executive director of Transgender Law Center:
“Transgender people and anyone who doesn’t fit narrow gender stereotypes experience high rates of discrimination and bias in the workplace. The humor shouldn’t have to depend on negative portrayals of who folks who are already having a hard time on the job.”
Wow! Lots of people are really upset!
We agree that it’s offensive for it’s disregard for transgendered feelings, but also for the fact that it just looks plain stupid. There is not one joke that lands.
Do U think it’s offensive??