May 28, 201411 yr I think it maybe starts off less cringeworthy - as soon as it gets about halfway is where, I agree, it gets into really painful territory imo. That last bit at Coachella really starts feeling like a scene from a Verizon/AT&T commercial or Glee episode. The tone of the whole thing is off tho imo, even from the beginning. I don't think that bc everyone in Arcade Fire is straight doesn't mean that they can't make a video like this — I think Spiritualized's Hey Jane or Icona Pop's All Night vids are good examples of straight musicians making powerful vids w/ LGBTQ actors/paying proper tribute. It's basically the genderqueer Same Love. Edited May 28, 201411 yr by Mariah Scary
May 28, 201411 yr I can see where you're coming from. Just watched Hey Jane again and what an incredible video. I think transgender videos are in a tiny minority though (not counting videos featuring drag as this is tied in with a lot of gay culture and seems to be amply represented positively in pop videos).
May 28, 201411 yr i don't think there's any problem with andrew garfield playing a trans character at all. i understand LGBTQ+ people are trying to fight the good fight but if i'm honest it's just a person playing a part - it's acting, and i think they really need to pick their battles. they fight with people who have loads of support for the LGBTQ+ community for such nitpicky reasons when there's people out there that are oppressing LGBTQ+ people who go unnoticed... it doesn't matter who is more 'qualified' as long as the part is played well, because whether in fiction or in fact there is visibility of trans elements in the mainstream media. he was obviously picked for the role because he was 1. passionate about it and 2. a very high profile big name which draws MORE attention to the issue. i actually think a straight person playing a trans character sets a really good example, as it will allow people not familiar with the idea to see that if it's okay for one of their favourite actors of the moment to portray and support trans people then it's okay for them to support too. also there's the fact that there ARE people who are straight males who dress up in women's clothing so at the very least there is a good example in the media for them to express themselves, because they're maybe the least understood of all! that 'hey jane' video is one of my favourites of all-time as well.
May 28, 201411 yr i don't think there's any problem with andrew garfield playing a trans character at all. i understand LGBTQ+ people are trying to fight the good fight but if i'm honest it's just a person playing a part - it's acting, and i think they really need to pick their battles. they fight with people who have loads of support for the LGBTQ+ community for such nitpicky reasons when there's people out there that are oppressing LGBTQ+ people who go unnoticed... it doesn't matter who is more 'qualified' as long as the part is played well, because whether in fiction or in fact there is visibility of trans elements in the mainstream media. he was obviously picked for the role because he was 1. passionate about it and 2. a very high profile big name which draws MORE attention to the issue. i actually think a straight person playing a trans character sets a really good example, as it will allow people not familiar with the idea to see that if it's okay for one of their favourite actors of the moment to portray and support trans people then it's okay for them to support too. also there's the fact that there ARE people who are straight males who dress up in women's clothing so at the very least there is a good example in the media for them to express themselves, because they're maybe the least understood of all! that 'hey jane' video is one of my favourites of all-time as well. Exactly. Even if the video is a bit too simple for such a serious problem, Arcade Fire don't really seem like the kind who would exploit the issue or have bad intentions. It was their vision and everyone has to deal with it really.
May 28, 201411 yr Actually a straight person playing a crossdressing character is spot on to be honest. She (the character) is not transgender yet, has not transitioned and could well be straight like a large number of crossdressers. Anyway how do we know what he does in his spare time? ;)
May 28, 201411 yr i understand LGBTQ+ people are trying to fight the good fight but if i'm honest it's just a person playing a part - it's acting, and i think they really need to pick their battles. they fight with people who have loads of support for the LGBTQ+ community for such nitpicky reasons when there's people out there that are oppressing LGBTQ+ people who go unnoticed... I think ppl are upset bc, if you look at trans roles as a whole (and Lesbian/Gay ones as well tbh!), especially the big budget + award winning ones — are all given to straight actors to play. Is it not problematic that I can name more straight actors off the top of my head who have played trans roles than actual trans actors? I probably could do the same with gay actors vs. straight actors who have played gay characters. So I think when ppl get really heated about things like this - I don't think the issue is necessarily with Arcade Fire tackling this issue moreso the larger scope of things. Macklemore's Same Love is the Hot 100 gay rights anthem but there are literally no gay musicians in the charts, etc. And the response, typically from straight people is, "you should appreciate this because at least it's something!" and telling actually LGBT ppl how to feel. I appreciate literally any gay representation in media bc there is so tragically little still, but let's be real — when it comes to inspiring LGBT youth, seeing actually LGBT people being succesful is a lot more inspiring than someone like Andrew Garfrield playing queer for 5 minutes. Edited May 28, 201411 yr by Mariah Scary
May 28, 201411 yr oh it's true, having trans people themselves make a name for themselves is much more effective, but with the likes of chaz bono and laverne cox making such big and good names for themselves i'm not as worried. i think with the scope of trans people in the media mixed with that exposure is gonna do good things. like i get they want to be represented but i think they should be excited about the progress so far!!! much like the recent acceptance of gay rights i think there's just so many arguments and tensions because it's the fight before the acceptance... like they can SMELL the revolution nearly kicking off so they're just pushing through the bubble. it just reminds me of someone running a race and then pushing at the VERY last hurdle so i think we're almost there.
May 28, 201411 yr i know it sounds like i'm one of those straight people who goes 'you should be happy you have anything!!!!' but where i live theres little acceptance about anything left of field so representation even in THIS form just fills me with hope.
May 29, 201411 yr oh it's true, having trans people themselves make a name for themselves is much more effective, but with the likes of chaz bono and laverne cox making such big and good names for themselves i'm not as worried. i think with the scope of trans people in the media mixed with that exposure is gonna do good things. like i get they want to be represented but i think they should be excited about the progress so far!!! much like the recent acceptance of gay rights i think there's just so many arguments and tensions because it's the fight before the acceptance... like they can SMELL the revolution nearly kicking off so they're just pushing through the bubble. it just reminds me of someone running a race and then pushing at the VERY last hurdle so i think we're almost there. I mean...Laverne Cox absolutely yes, but do you really follow/care about what Chaz Bonno is doing lol? - the most relevant thing he's done recently is being a guest judge on Rupaul's Drag Race and he's truly only famous for being Cher's son. That's literally one trans actress of note right now, and she's a secondary character on a Netflix show. I don't know what "almost there" means to you but we are still very, very far imo (I mean...just look at the tirade of hatred being directed at Carmen Carrera for literally complaining about a one second portion of Drag Race, and this is all from gay men) - and while there's certainly been progress - I don't really buy the we have to move at the pace that straight people feel comfortable with. Anyway I don't want 2 harp on and on bc I don't think this vid is a big deal and I do think there are people who will watch it and appreciate it - but I think a lot of the anger/heat you're seeing (at this, or at RPDR) is less so about these specific music videos or words, and more an overall lack of understanding and representation. Edited May 29, 201411 yr by Mariah Scary
May 29, 201411 yr I guess I will never be able to completely understand why there is a need for transexual people playing transexual people in movies and TV shows and such. It all sounds a bit like the recent oh why is a black girl playing a redheaded white girl character [Annie, the musical] ridiculousness. Yes, it would be great to see more trans people being in the spotlight and get recognition but... just because they are trans? The majority of celebs got where they are by hard work and while I don't deny discrimination towards trans actors, I'm sure some of them could make it to become big - it's really just a combination of luck aka meeting the right people, talent and hard work (twice as hard as for the non-queer actors though, unfortunately :( ). The theme has now made its way into news and movies and TV shows etc. and there's no way back, so it's all going to get much better with time. And before the oh you're talking like a straight person comments start flooding in, I also don't exactly live in a beacon of tolerance and acceptance so even Andrew Garfield playing a trans person brings me hope and seems like a big step towards our common goal.
May 29, 201411 yr Good PR stunt to include a transexual and it's worked as so many people are talking about it. Distracts everyone from the fact the song isn't actually that good? Although they've refused to play their old songs in their live sets now I think they're going to start playing their neon bible & funeral album live again. RESULT! :P
May 29, 201411 yr And before the oh you're talking like a straight person comments start flooding in, I also don't exactly live in a beacon of tolerance and acceptance so even Andrew Garfield playing a trans person brings me hope and seems like a big step towards our common goal. LOL great minds think alike?
May 30, 201411 yr Speaking of Laverne Cox, she's going to be on the cover of the June edition of Time! :o <3
June 4, 201411 yr Is anyone seeing arcade fire at earls court on froday or in hyde park in july? going to hyde park, would love to go earls court too! :mellow:
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