In correcting my pronouns, am I risking my job?
Nella Gocal-McConkey: Working in TV as a Transgender Person
Trans Day of Visibility (TDoV) isn’t only a celebration of the many variations of transness, but also a day to spend time thinking of and being visible for all of those who can’t. There are several organisations you can reach out to when looking for trans and non-binary talent & crew; I have attached a resource to this blog detailing information on trans and non-binary filmmakers and crew from South-East Asia to the UK, and of business hand-outs to increase trans inclusivity in the workplace.
Although I am somewhat new to TV, having graduated from Falmouth University with a Film degree in 2021, I have had my fair share of kind, weird, uncomfortable and affirming experiences. I met loads of different people whilst working as a freelance runner & camera trainee. As you can imagine, it’s nerve wracking being trans in a new space, surrounded by new people. It’s impossible to know peoples preconceived ideas of transness, of me. I adore the nuanced nature of my bodys’ gender expression, but people's expectations and assumptions can make introductions rather taxing.
Which toilets do I use? Because I will absolutely keep using the cleaner of the two until the very last moment…
Will I have to correct people in senior positions?
By stepping into a professional space, I shine light on other power dynamics. I’m all good correcting my pronouns amongst runners and assistants, but the moment an executive gets it wrong, I have to take a second;
In correcting my pronouns, am I risking my job?
It is neither my, nor my community’s responsibility, to teach cisgender people about our experiences. Nor is it up to us to shoulder the weight of correcting those who misgender us. I have included the tips below for cisgender folk looking to make our lives just that little bit easier. Following these will help to lessen the weight on trans people's shoulders, giving us the space to focus on our careers in TV. I have provided excerpts from my own experience in the industry and ask for cis-gender readers to incorporate the lessons I talk of into their own work: on-set, in-office and remotely.
Tips for Productions
1: Ask for consent before asking questions about identity, expression, transness & (god forbid) ‘the surgery’.
Be prepared for us to politely decline or recommend a book or documentary instead.
2: If you’re a HoD (Head of Department) , reach out pre-shoot, ask if anything can be done to make joining a new team easier.
Previous production managers, executive producers, and DoP’s of mine, have briefed the team on my pronouns so that I didn’t have to do so myself. This worked for me but may cause other trans folk stress, so please check in with the individual.
3: Watch our backs for us and correct others of our pronouns before we have to.
I have had team leads pull me aside to double check I had consented to talking about my trans experience with a member of the crew.
4: At the end of the day, if you meet us on-set, we’re probably working, so please consider how the questions you’re asking impact our ability to do our jobs.
During some work on-set last year as a runner, talent began interviewing me about my chest & medical ‘goals’ as a trans person. On informing them that I do not have any, they began to debate my choice. I firmly refused to engage, and reported them to a Production Manager I felt safe with. It was an exhausting experience.
The more questions I answer about my body, sexual preference, genetalia, medical journey and gender expression, the more tired I become, and the less energy I have for my work.
Resources to check out:
A directory for Trans + Non-Binary + People in Film and TV https://transonscreen.com/
Stonewall Best Practice Toolkits https://www.stonewall.org.uk/best-practice-toolkits-and-resources
I am an open book, when approached with curiosity and empathy, and I’m usually happy to answer questions about my transness, but please consider whether the question you’re asking is appropriate and don’t expect someone to be open to answering.
Could you ask a cis-coworker the same question without causing discomfort?
I wanted to write this blog not only to highlight how difficult being trans in TV can be, but equally how it has helped me wiggle into roles I may not have qualified for otherwise. I am big on batting my transgender eyelashes and flashing my minority status if it gets me more support, mentorship and guidance. I have both gained and lost roles through doing so. I can only speak from my own experiences, but I’ve noticed an elevated sense of sensitivity and unconditional-empathy in myself and trans loved ones. We bring it to most of what we do and the more I show it in interviews and on-set, the more I am remembered. To the trans and non-binary people reading this, your transness is a real strength.
Nella is a photo-journalist and filmmaker currently working at the BBC’s Natural History Unit.
For more of Nella’s work check out www.nellagocal.com
For any enquiries please email nellagocal.creative@gmail.com
