Summary

The web content discusses the representation of transgender actors and characters in the Spider-Man movie trilogy within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), highlighting the significance of their inclusion and the impact on viewers.

Abstract

The article "You’ll Never Watch Spider-Man The Same Way Again" by Stephenie Magister ✨ delves into the often-overlooked presence of transgender actors and characters in the Spider-Man films. It reveals that trans actress Josie Totah appeared in "Spider-Man: Homecoming," while "Spider-Man: Far From Home" featured Tyler Luke Cunningham and Zach Barack, marking the first openly trans actors in the MCU. Although "Spider-Man: No Way Home" did not advertise any openly trans or non-binary actors, the article suggests that Andrew Garfield's portrayal of Peter Parker and his openness to all impulses, including his role in the Arcade Fire music video "We Exist," demonstrate allyship and fluidity in representation. The piece emphasizes the importance of empathic imagination and the evolving nature of gender and orientation labels, ultimately celebrating the love and acceptance found within the community.

Opinions

The author, Stephenie Magister, implies that the presence of trans actors in the Spider-Man trilogy is a significant and positive development, suggesting that it enriches the viewing experience and reflects real-world diversity.
The article posits that Andrew Garfield's roles and public statements indicate a supportive stance towards the LGBTQ+ community and suggest a fluid understanding of sexuality and gender identity.
The author critiques the casting of cisgender actors in trans roles, referencing the backlash against Andrew Garfield's role in the "We Exist" music video, while also acknowledging his allyship.
There is an underlying opinion that representation matters and that the inclusion of trans actors and characters in mainstream media can have a profound impact on the trans community and society's perception of gender and orientation.
The piece concludes with a personal reflection on the fluidity of gender and orientation, advocating for a focus on love and acceptance beyond traditional labels.

You’ll Never Watch Spider-Man The Same Way Again

These movies are so ****ing trans

Graphic by author, elements from Spider-Man (Marvel Comics)

It’s the trans version of Where’s Waldo?!

Hi! I’m Stephenie Magister ✨, and below we’re going to play the trans version of Where’s Waldo?!

Except instead of Waldo, we’re looking for the trans characters hidden in the wide world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But since we’ve only got enough time to stick to one universe, let’s check out the Spider-Man trilogy.

Note: this article is also available as a video

Get ready to OMG! at how many trans actors and characters were in front of you the whole time.

The whole time?!

Yep, the whole time.

1. Spider-Man: Homecoming — Seymour O’Reilly

Though not out at the time, trans actress Josie Totah portrayed Seymour O’Reilly in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Spider-Man: Homecoming actor Josie Totah comes out as transgender (The Statesman)

Sony hit did not script its diversity, star J.J. Totah tells TheWrap, but found it in the audition room (The Wrap)

2. Spider-Man: Far From Home — Tyler Corbin and Zach Cooper, friends of Penis Parker

Look at those two!! Tyler Luke Cunningham (portraying Tyler Corbin) was a featured extra, and Zach Barack (portraying Zach Cooper) played a friend of Peter Parker. Both were the first openly trans actors in the MCU.

Spider-Man: Far From Home is Marvel’s first movie to cast out trans actors (Gay Times)

Bonus: Meet Zoha Rahman, The Muslim Actor In “Spider-Man: Far From Home” (Buzzfeed)

3. Spider-Man: No Way Home

Spider-Man: No Way Home did not promote an openly trans or non-binary actor in the cast list. There is, however, a consolation prize.

Andrew Garfield played an incarnation of Peter Park/Spider-Man who skips across the multi-verse to help out the MCU. And if that’s not a consolation prize, IDK what is.

So hold on. What am I saying? Is Andrew Garfield pansexual? Bi? Straight? Cisgender? Genderfluid?

IDK, but he’s for damn sure an ally.

In an interview for his role as a gay man in Tick, Tick…Boom, he clarified that he is open to any impulse within him — including if that impulse makes him the one person who doesn’t break Jesse Eisenberg’s heart (in a movie).

What most matters to Andrew Garfield is empathic imagination. That priority led him to take roles like the trans character in an Arcade Fire music video (below).

This was way back in 2014, and trans singer Laura Jane Grace for the band Against Me! had something to say about cis actor Andrew Garfield playing a trans character.

Until…

A fluid ending

And this is just like my opinion, but if you’ve ever seen videos of Andrew Garfield and Jesse Eisenberg together, you understand that when Andrew says he’s “gay, just without the physical act,” that confession is as queer as it sounds.

Because let’s not forget that we have more than one orientation: sexual vs romantic.

And while Andrew Garfield says he’s gay without the physical act, that’s never stopped people from discovering new impulses.

Asexual people fall in love.

Aromantic people find platonic life mates.

Sometimes they even ****! But sometimes not or never.

If my trans experiences have taught me anything, it’s that gender and orientation are only useful labels until they aren’t. What I care about is L-O-V-E.

Find someone who looks at you like Andrew looks at Jesse. Especially when you’re looking at yourself ❤

Bonus: Spider-Trans

From the ImSpiderTrans Twitter (sadly now defunct)

You’ll Never Watch The Simpsons The Same Way Again

Move over Mr. Garrison, there’s more than one animated (formerly?) trans teacher

medium.com

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