Abstract

As minority groups (transvestites in particular) experience prejudices and as majority of people do not know about the menace, the need arouse to examine the image of transvestites in media, particularly film as it appears to be one of the most universally appealing and more effective. This study ascertained how transvestites’ depiction affects the Cisgender audiences' views of transvestites. Queer theory and theory of representation were the foundations of the study which tested these two theories using semiotic analysis of films and a questionnaire response from respondents. Findings indicate that, transvestites are at least kept visible and expiated from the prevalent assumption that they are homosexuals. However, transvestites are portrayed as irresponsible people who practice the act for financial reason, to mediate clients and female prostitutes. The recommends that film directors should not depict transvestites as pimps and victims of terror as it would make them vulnerable in the eyes of cisgender audience. 

Key words: Transvestites, Portrayal, Films, Kannywood, Traits 

JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 13, No. 2, October 2021, pp. 46-50

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

About the authors

* Nura Ibrahim, Ph.D. is a Lecturer in the Department of Media Studies, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.

** Abubakar Sammani Alatu is with the Kuntau Science Academy, Kano, Nigeria.

Full Article

Words: 3,479 

Pages: 5

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Article Citation

Ibrahim, N. & Alatu, A. S. (2021). Transvestites' portrayal in films: The Kannywood trait. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 13 (2): 46 – 50.