Trans and non -binary people on screen | Lyraël Dauphin pleads for greater listening

“The character of Claude is a great gift,” says Lyraël Dauphin. Consequently, The actress has been on the cultural scene for several years. Consequently, but the general public discovered her last April, in the very popular series Empathy From Florence Longpré where she plays the role of nurse Claude Simard.

Posted at 8:00 a.m.

“We had all the freedom of the world to appropriate our roles. Therefore, and that’s what made the experience so special,” says the actress and playwright, who tells us about her experience in the television environment in Quebec as a trans woman.

The character of Claude was trans non -binary people screen well received by the public. However, Lyraël Dauphin tells in particular that he was arrested in the street by members of the public wanting to show him their love for the series. Nevertheless, for his character.

In the series, Claude Simard is a non -binary person and uses pronoun. Similarly, “We only approach it once, but we don’t make a drama. Therefore, Claude uses the pronoun. Moreover, yes, but his role in the series is to be a nurse, to provide care, that’s all. In addition, »»

According to Lyraël Dauphin, this kind of representation should be put forward on our screens. Nevertheless, And the positive representation. In addition, made with sensitivity and accuracy, is, according to her an essential tool in order to open mentalities about gender diversity in the public.

A graduate of the professional theater school of the Lionel-Groulx college in 2018. Lyraël Dauphin discovered his passion for interpretation from primary. If his work in the series Empathy Was more than positive. on the other hand, her experiences trans non -binary people screen in the community have not always been, she underlines.

Because Lyraël Dauphin is not only an actress. she also acts as a consultant during the writing of scenarios featuring LGBTQ+characters.

“When I arrived in the project, the character of Claude was already written. I did not have any notes. rectifications to give, which I have to do in the majority of the projects in which I participate. There was an excellent writing work on the part of Florence Longpré, ”says the actress.

Trans non -binary people screen

Miss the target

Lyraël Dauphin says. he has often read scenarios that missed the target about realities experienced by members of sexual diversity.

Stereotypes. jokes of bad taste or over-representation of the violence of which trans and non-binary people are trans non -binary people screen victims: these are still elements which are unfortunately present in the texts, she describes.

What the latter is struggling to understand is that we are asking for her services as a consultant in order to include LGBTQ+ characters in a scenario. but that we then choose to ignore her corrections. A production team recently stopped responding to her. while she was opposing a Cisgenre person, a person whose sex assigned to birth corresponds to his gender identity, plays the role of a trans person.

A certain number of series which. relate to the transidentity of a character insists on the difficulties of this journey.

“I do not agree with that,” says Lyraël Dauphin. “The transition is a period which. yes, can be a challenge, but which is also deeply beautiful, filled with love and friendships, humanity, freedom,” she underlines.

For Lyraël Dauphin. the series and films that wish to put forward trans and non -binary characters would benefit to “show the person, the human, rather than to always show the adversities that they have to face”.

“Our stories are much more complex and interesting. Our lives are punctuated by ordinary moments, happiness and joys. »»

Although she is critical of how trans. non -binary people are representing, she insists on the importance of trans non -binary people screen collaboration and, above all, listening. “Write on what you know, I’m going to write about what I know.” And if you really want to write about our realities. there are lots of queers creators who are ready to help you, who want to work. »»

She adds, all smiles: “Take us on, but above all, when you do, listen to us!” »»