Hi everyone!
Wasn't sure how to title this, but basically since this is a group dedicated to trans/gnc people (and those who are questioning as well!) who also enjoy BL, I'd be curious to know if there are any BL characters you relate to, that you headcanon as trans, or think are trans-coded in some way or another. Or just what impact, if any, has BL had on your queer identity and journey ?
As a transmasc person, BL really did play a part in me starting to question my gender identity in the first place, and once I realized I was trans, it really did change my perspective on some characters and storylines. I don't think the vast majority of these were meant to be trans-coded in any way, but that's how they read to me, and I feel like I'm noticing it a lot more now.
This is probably a very obvious example, but (SPOILERS forDNA Says Love You!!!) Amber from DNA Says Love You is the most trans-coded character I've ever seen in a BL. It's been a while since I've re-watched it, so I don't exactly remember how they explain it away, but I think he is canonically intersex, right? Regardless, his story is SO trans-coded, I was convinced they would actually make him a trans man, but wasn't at all surprised when they didn't go through with it. Still, he's definitely the closest I've come to seeing a trans male character in a main role in a BL.
I really should give it a proper re-watch, since the last time I saw it, I still identified as cis, haha...If anyone else has watched this BL, I'd love to know your thoughts on it, especially when it comes to Amber!
So I was curious if anyone has had any similar experiences? I'd love to hear your guys' opinions on this :)
Amber is definitely intersex, not trans. (And intersex people will thank you not to conflate the two things. They have their own troubles and their own history of medical mistreatment and discrimination, and the ones I know of don't want their sexual identity used as a vehicle by third parties for their own agenda.)
The reason Amber comes across as trans for the uninitiated is not only the vague terminology used (in the subs) but also that he was AFAB, and then had to undergo a (traumatic) gender reassignment.
For anyone interested, I suggest to read up on intersex issues, which are more complex and more horrifying than the average person thinks.
If we disregard the many uke characters who are nothing but a stand-in for the female reader /viewer:
Then the only character that comes to mind is Prince / Worradetch ("I am the most beautiful count"), who is กะเทย katheoy, which is not the same as the Western transgender, but its own thing. Maybe it can be thought of as some kind of third gender.
I was definitely too flippant with the way I brought up Amber being intersex, sorry. It's been a bit too long since I've seen the show, and what I meant to say was more so that I felt as thought the show didn't properly explore Amber's identity, and that felt a bit frustrating. That's just my personal opinion, though, and I could very well be wrong. Especially if the subs weren't very accurate.
I understand what you mean, and I didn't mean to erase Amber's canon identity. Still, his storyline feels relatable to me, and I think my own personal feelings on it and the character being canonically intersex can co-exist. It's fiction, after all, and sometimes people will interpret it differently than what was intended, and I think that's fine. But I'll definitely acknowledge that the character's canon identity is important and I shouldn't have been so dismissive about it.
I haven't seen I Am The Most Beautiful Count yet, would you recommend it? I remember when the trailer came out, but I never got around to watching it.
Tbh there aren't a lot of BL characters that I've come across that I necessarily relate to in a trans way (trans masc here also). But one thing I will say is that a lot of BLs share a certain sentiment about broader queer acceptance that I find really comforting as a trans person. For example, in "Kimi to Nara Koi wo Shite Mite mo" (aka "If It's With You" aka my fav BL ever) the one character (very minor spoiler ahead) is always making self-deprecating jokes about himself being gay in order to lighten the mood because he knows deep down that everyone around is probably judging him for his sexuality, BUT, he meets the other main character who tells him that he doesn't need to joke about that kind of thing around him and he can just be himself.
Similarly, in "My Love Mix-Up!" (another one I really like), there is a part where (spoilers ahead) the main character get dropped by his tutor because the tutor finds out that he's in a gay relationship, and when he tells his friends what happened in a joking tone in order to not make it seem serious, his friends (and partner) react with a "nah man, that IS serious."
I know all these examples are just about characters being gay, but I guess my point with this is that I like seeing characters in BLs take each other seriously, because it reminds me that there are lots of people out there who are willing take people like me (and any other LGBTQIA+ people) seriously too, which is something I often feel left out of.
— milo!! (he/him | admin)
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