The critics have had their say about the BBC sitcom, but what did trans people think?
Trans people respond to Boy Meets Girl
BBC
But it is trans people, who are being represented in BBC comedy properly for the first time, that have had the most interesting thoughts on the show.
Rebecca Root, a trans actress, stars in the show in the lead role Judy.
Speaking to GSN, trans male activist Leng Montgomery said: ‘It’s about time British TV started reflecting trans actors in its programmes, especiallly as it’s a great way to include and represent the society we live in.
‘It can also help convey some of the issues trans people face and hopefully create empathy and understanding.
‘I also think it’s very important for visibility as overall it promotes greater understanding and acknowledgement of trans people and opens up a new pool of acting talent.
And Jane Fae, journalist and GSN contributor, said: ”Like many in the trans community, I settled down to watch Boy Meets Girl with the promise of seeing something different. I wasn’t disappointed. It was, as it said on the wrapper, a mainstream romcom/sitcom in which trans is just there: a part of the furniture, if you like, as opposed to the elephant in the room it so often becomes. Especially when well-meaning directors set out to say something meaningful about the topic.
‘But was it any good? Despite the sniffy reactions from some mainstream critics, I think the answer has to be a 100% unqualified yes. The budding romance between transsexual Judy and and shy, self-conscious Leo was touching, appropriately awkward and, in the end, endearing.
‘I suspect I was not the only viewer who felt a lump well up in her throat at their first rain-soaked kiss. Other characters are well-drawn: dialogue is witty in an under-stated sort of way; and in Judy’s mum, Peggy (Janine Duvitski) I could not help wondering if we were watching a national treasure in the making.
‘A big thumbs up to this programme, and to Rebecca Root. It was a long time coming, but is well worth the wait.’
Paris Lees, the top of 2013’s Independent on Sunday’s Pink List, said:
CN Lester, singer-songwriter, had a few more cons to say about the show:
Paris LeesSo excited about @BoyMeetsGirl_UK tonight, just one of many positives to come out of the great work being done @AllAboutTrans. Game changer!
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@ParisLees@BoyMeetsGirl_UK@AllAboutTrans AAT have really pushed boundaries – amazing work.
Juno -
@ParisLees@BoyMeetsGirl_UK@AllAboutTrans waiting for 9:30 with anticipation!
Bill So happy for @rebeccaroot1969. Making history. For decades, TV comedy ridiculed trans people simply for being trans – the world is changing!
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@ParisLees but I always loved you though#khaleesi
Giselle -
@ParisLees@rebeccaroot1969 Cross-dressing has been an entrenched comic trope for even longer – which also probably hindered trans community
The Gay Footballer -
@ParisLees pretty soon we’ll see Bethany Black in Dr Who as well
Amanda Jade -
@ParisLees@rebeccaroot1969 it has been so long since the days of Caroline Cossey – why did it take so long??? 🙁
Andrew Brown
And one trans Twitter user responded in the perfect way:
CN LesterJust caught up w/ #BoyMeetsGirl. Pros: Leads have great chemistry, @rebeccaroot1969 absolutely lights up the screen
#BoyMeetsGirl Cons for a trans viewer: you’ll have seen it all before General cons: Very middle of the road BBC sitcom
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I guess that’s good in that it’s palatable to mainstream cis audience who are the ones who really need to be watching this stuff.
@cnlester -
@ThatSabineGirl Agreed – I’m hoping it’ll do some real good. Just probably not one I’ll tune in for again. -
@cnlester I hope it helps normalise us a little in cis ppl’s eyes.
TransGameProtagonist CN Lester, singer-songwriter, had a few more cons to say about the show:
And one trans Twitter user responded in the perfect way:
I guess that’s good in that it’s palatable to mainstream cis audience who are the ones who really need to be watching this stuff. @cnlester
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It’s like when there’s documentaries about trans ppl on the telly and my parents ask if I’m watching it.
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I’m just like “we already know that stuff, this is for cis people, not us”.
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I almost feel like we need something incredibly bland like 2 Point 4 Children or My Family which just happens to have a trans character.
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And though they’re trans and thus deal with some stuff, no fuss is made of it.
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You know, like cis people in TV shows. Just getting on with their lives, with no sensationalism about it.
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Like we’re normal people or something. Because we are. It’s cis people’s reaction to us that’s abnormal, and needs to change.
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Any humour arising from someone being trans should be derived from cis ppl’s abnormal reaction to us just trying to live our lives.
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Because I think there’s a lot of potential for jokes at the expense of the bigoted, or at (oft well meaning) ignorance displayed by cis ppl.
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@ThatSabineGirl Agreed – I’m hoping it’ll do some real good. Just probably not one I’ll tune in for again. -
@cnlester I hope it helps normalise us a little in cis ppl’s eyes.
The next episode of Boy Meets Girl airs on BBC 2 at 9.30pm on Thursday 10 September.
Watch the trailer below:
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