Exclusion on Screen: Transphobia in Chilean Television Fiction Series

Abstract

The lack of representation of trans individuals in the audiovisual industry demonstrates the inadequacy of the LGBT inclusion process within mainstream culture. This study analyzes trans visibility in six Chilean television productions through a historical review of television fiction series from the 21st century. Using a visual methodology, this narrative analysis examines seven trans characters, focusing on their gender performance, sexual and affective interactions, and the type of ending. None of the shows feature a trans protagonist. Instead, their inclusion is limited to episodic roles and background characters. In conclusion, the criminalization, pathologization, and comedic depiction of trans individuals act as centrifugal forces that push them to the margins of narratives and television representations.