Representation matters in the media we consume. The way certain communities are depicted in TV shows and movies can shape how we perceive them in real life. Unfortunately, the transgender community has often been misrepresented and stereotyped in popular media, particularly in the portrayal of transgender characters as villains.

One of the earliest examples of this harmful stereotype can be seen in the 1994 comedy film “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.” In the movie, the villain is revealed to be a transgender woman who had undergone gender reassignment surgery in order to hide her identity and commit a crime. This portrayal perpetuates the idea that transgender people are deceitful and untrustworthy, which is not only untrue but also harmful to the community.

Another example can be found in the first season of “NCIS” episode 19, where a transgender character is portrayed as a criminal who is responsible for a bombing. Such depictions can lead to real-life consequences for transgender people, as they often face discrimination and violence due to negative stereotypes.

Perhaps the most well-known example of this harmful trope is found in the movie “The Silence of the Lambs.” The character Jame Gumb, also known as Buffalo Bill, is not explicitly portrayed as transgender, but is shown to have gender dysphoria and a desire to become a woman. The fact that he is also a serial killer who kidnaps and skins women to make a suit for himself perpetuates the harmful stereotype that transgender people are mentally unstable and dangerous.

Other examples of this trope include the character Bobbi in “Dressed to Kill,” who is a transsexual woman with dissociative identity disorder, and the character Angela in “Sleepaway Camp,” who is revealed to be a boy raised as a girl who kills other characters as a result of the trauma he experienced. Similarly, Ava in “Nip/Tuck” is a transsexual woman who seduces both father and son surgeons, while Charlotte in “Pretty Little Liars” is a transsexual woman who torments four teenage girls with anonymous messages and threats.

These portrayals have a damaging effect on the transgender community, particularly on transgender youth who are already vulnerable to discrimination and violence. By depicting transgender characters as villains, TV shows and movies perpetuate harmful stereotypes that can lead to real-world consequences for the community, including increased discrimination, harassment, and violence.

It is important for media creators to recognize the harm caused by these portrayals and work to represent transgender characters in a more accurate and positive light. By doing so, they can help to break down harmful stereotypes and promote acceptance and understanding of the transgender community.